Date: Thu, 14 Mar 1996 13:21:44 PST
From: Paul_Vincett@torho.xc.xerox.com (Vincett,Paul)
To: CAP@physics.carleton.ca
Subject: Review of Physics

To:   CAP Members

From: Paul Vincett

The Review of Canadian Academic Physics, which was proposed to NSERC by 
 the CAP-NSERC Liaison Committee, and about which you have received 
 several communications, has now been approved by NSERC and will be 
 funded by them.

As you may recall, the Review is being arranged by the Liaison 
 Committee, but will be carried out under the supervision of an 
 independent Main Committee chaired by a non-Canadian physicist.  NSERC 
 suggested, and the Liaison Committee agreed, to approach Bill Halperin 
 of North-Western University to chair the Main Committee.  I am 
 delighted to report that Dr Halperin has agreed to accept this 
 position.  Many of you may recall the leadership role that Bill played 
 in the community's response to the last reallocation exercise, when he 
 has Chair of the Condensed Matter GSC.

The Liaison Committee has been working hard for the last several weeks 
 to identify the Chairs of the Research SubCommittees for the Review, 
 based on nominations received from the CAP membership. That process is 
 nearing completion.  Subject to final confirmation by NSERC, the 
 Condensed Matter subcommittee will be Chaired by Mike Thewalt of SFU.  
 The other Chairs have not yet been chosen but they should be shortly.  
 The HQP / Economic Impact SubCommittee (unlike the others) will be run 
 by CAP, under the Chairmanship of CAP Vice-President Bev Robertson.

Although the actual information gathering phase of the Review will not 
 start for a few more weeks, IT IS NOT TOO SOON TO START TO THINK ABOUT 
 YOUR INPUT to this.  The input sought will include the following 
 matters (i) what is going on and what is planned in Canadian academic 
 physics, (ii) where our weaknesses and strengths are, (iii) what 
 degree of selectivity and concentration there should be in granting 
 practices, in the context of reduced budgets, (iv) how to maintain 
 diversity and risk-taking IF increased concentration is deemed 
 desirable, (v) how to encourage interdisciplinary research, 
 risk-taking, spin-off activities, and the communication of research 
 results to the public, (vi) to assess whether the health of the 
 discipline would be enhanced by a major collaborative effort across 
 subdiscipline boundaries or between physics and other disciplines, 
 (vii) to better quantify the economic benefits of physics research.

As always, if there are any questions or concerns, please get in touch 
 with me directly at PAUL_VINCETT@TORHO.XC.XEROX.COM   or at (905) 873-9145.

Best regards,



Paul Vincett,
President, CAP