Call for WiPiSA Departmental Lunches 2026

The Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA) Executive Committee would like to invite female academics, postgraduate students, and non-academic female SAIP members to apply for the 2026 WiPiSA Departmental Lunches, to be held at their respective Physics Departments.

Two of the main objectives of WiPiSA are to:

1. Encourage and stimulate an interest in girls and women to study physics.
2. Support girls and women pursuing physics-related careers and assist in overcoming barriers and challenges encountered during their studies and professional careers.

To help achieve these objectives, WiPiSA initiated the Departmental Lunch programme across universities and institutions in South Africa. The lunch activity is intended to bring together women in physics – including academics, researchers, students (both undergraduate and postgraduate), and those in leadership roles – to share a meal, network, discuss their experiences, and encourage greater participation of girls and women in physics.

While the primary focus of these lunches is to support and empower women in physics, departments are encouraged to include male colleagues and students as allies in fostering an inclusive and supportive physics community. Their participation can contribute to meaningful dialogue, greater awareness of gender-related challenges, and collective efforts towards creating equitable environments in physics.

WiPiSA will provide funding of up to R6,000 per institution to organise a departmental lunch. We therefore invite interested departments to submit proposals, download proposal template here.

Applications should include:

• A brief description of the proposed event;
• The anticipated number of participants;
• A detailed budget breakdown indicating how the funds will be used.

Please note: We do not fund miscellaneous items such as decorations, gifts, and similar expenses.

Reporting Requirements

Organisers are expected to submit the following after the event:

1. A short report on the event, including the venue, number of attendees, programme, and activities.
2. Copies of all expenditure receipts.
3. A summary of the outcomes and impact of the event (e.g., networking opportunities created, mentorship connections established, student motivation and engagement).
4. A selection of photographs from the event.
5. A short article suitable for publication in Physics Comment magazine (optional).

We encourage the Departmental Lunches to take place in the month of August and please allow 15 working days between submission and receiving funds for the event.

We look forward to working with departments across South Africa to strengthen and support the community of women in physics.

For further correspondence, kindly contact:

Dr Tebogo Ledwaba
Email: ledwabatebogo81@gmail.com  

WiPiSA: wipisa@saip.org.za