I’m pleased to invite you to help shape the program of the 2025 International Forum on Research Excellence (IFoRE), Sigma Xi’s annual signature event celebrating the pursuit and practice of research excellence. Our theme for this year—Science and Society: Crafting a Vision for a Sustainable Tomorrow—reflects our shared responsibility as scientists and engineers to ensure that research advances the well-being of humanity and our planet.
IFoRE '25 convenes Sigma Xi members, our colleagues, and students to promote fellowship in science and engineering and the advancement of knowledge through ethical research, service, and mentoring. This year’s conference will be held virtually, with all sessions conducted via Zoom.
Sigma Xi is now accepting general session proposals that reflect the depth and complexity of the scientific enterprise. We encourage you to submit a proposal for a session that highlights the many ways research contributes to a sustainable future. We are trying something new this year. The committee will review the titles and abstracts and craft sessions that build around a collection of illuminating papers.
We have already received several compelling proposals, many of which focus on the promises and implications of artificial intelligence across scientific disciplines. While these sessions are sure to enrich the conference, we are also eager to broaden the scope of IFoRE to reflect a more comprehensive range of scientific topics and sessions that serve all career stages. We especially welcome proposals that:
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Address innovative scientific investigations and interdisciplinary collaborations
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Support students and early-career researchers with practical tools, mentoring, and professional guidance
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Foster meaningful networking and community-building across generations of researchers
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Explore the societal impact of research and new models for ethical, reproducible science
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Areas ranging from chemistry to ecology to molecular biology to agriculture to energy to controlling disease transmission and improve human health and well-being to name a just a few areas will have much to say about how science can shape tomorrow in sustainable ways--ways that improve livelihoods, reduce stresses on the environment and limit planetary stressors.
IFoRE sessions can include panels, mini symposia, interactive workshops, public interviews, or individual talks. Your talks, though, are the keys to creating these learning fora. We are looking for papers that address:
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Research Practice (ethics, open science, interdisciplinary collaboration)
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Broader Impacts (science communication, policy, entrepreneurship)
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Professional Development (grant writing, publishing, mentoring, career navigation)
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STEM Education (K–12, undergraduate research, teaching innovations)
Our goal is for every IFoRE session to provide actionable insights, spark new ideas, and inspire excellence in research and scholarship in ways that chart a course for a better future. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a rising scientist, we hope you will contribute your voice and vision to this year’s program.
Submit your session proposal today! Proposals will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis, and the IFoRE program committee may assist in shaping your concept by recruiting expert participants or co-presenters.
To submit a proposal or learn more, visit experienceIFoRE.org/submissions. Questions may be directed to programs@sigmaxi.org. If you don't submit a proposal, we hope you'll attend the conference online. Registration is now open at experienceIFoRE.org.
Let’s work together to make IFoRE '25 a dynamic and inclusive space for ideas, collaboration, and solutions. I look forward to seeing your proposals.
Sincerely,
Daniel I. Rubenstein
Sigma Xi President