Secretary’s Report - 2026

AIP: (Frank Graeff) Frank provided an overview of the AIP, which consists of 35 full and affiliate member organizations. Described their web platform and AIP Exchange, which now hosts the SOR website. Described AIP research on how early career scientists engage with scientific societies and their paths to becoming future leaders.

Publishing: (Alex Giglia, Peter Olmsted , Charles Schroeder ) Publishing landscape is fast evolving due to new business models that need to be compliant with funding agencies. Described the new AIP Fusion model: all-inclusive services agreement with institutions, unlimited access, unlimited open access publishing.

JoR Editor’s Report: (Dimitris Vlassopoulos) Described transition to citation identifier – it allows for papers to be available online sooner. Discussed special issues: gravity, Metzner special issue (2/27), Centennial volume (’29), two editors onboard. Providing sponsorships at other meetings. Discussed AI as a growing concern (data fabrication and review process). Announced Publication Award 2026: Rheology of Suspensions of cubic particles. Publication award announced (already disseminated to membership).

SOR Bulletin: (Carlos R. López-Barrón ) Now putting Bulletin articles online as they become ready. They will live on website, included in Newsletter, and be available in the Bulletin itself.

Social Media: (Christine Roberts , Elise Chen ) LinkedIn and X have 2000+ followers, with a recent increase in Instagram followers. Elise Chen suggests a Viral Rheologists Contest.

Website: (Rae Robertson-Anderson) New website is based around SoR ethos. More then 10k views per month. Working to integrate newsletter with website and encouraging more members to join the Community. Working to keep content fresh.

Treasurer’s Report: (Lisa Biswal ) Please see Treasurer’s report in this Bulletin.

Financial Advisement Committee: (Anne Grillet ) Reviewed accounts and investments and returns. We are moving to bring society finances in full compliance with the 2019 membership policy. Exploring an investment advisor.

Future Meetings:

• 2026 Boston: (Safa Jamali , Gareth McKinley , Stephen Stull (APS), Arezoo Ardekani , Travis Walker) This meeting will be hosted with support from the APS meetings team. Proposing a 20% increase in registration fee, notwithstanding, the meeting projects a $58k loss, in line with SOR decisions. Technical Program on-track. Howard Stone and Roseanna Zia are plenary speakers, in addition to award speakers.
  
• 2027 International ICR: (Gerry Fuller ) Professor Huang Qian will play a leading role. Extremely well organized thus far. Special events: 50 years of Doi Edwards, 50 years of Boger fluids. Bingham and Metzner awards and Fellows announcements will be accommodated.
  
• 2028 Madison: (Mike Graham w/ S. Stull presenting) Planning proceeding apace.
  
• 2029 Washington Centennial: (Peter Olmsted , Kalman Migler ) Contract signed for Hilton in Baltimore.
  
• 2031 ICR will be in Americas. We will be soliciting bids.

Bingham Medal: (Randy Ewoldt ) To be awarded to Roger Bonnecaze. Discussions centered on appropriateness of a VP to win an award (Constitution does not prohibit), discussions on how to improve submission of documents.

Metzner Award: (Sujit Datta w/ J.Morris presenting) To be awarded to Jeffrey Richards. Discussion centered on diversity of applicant pool, including putting in a mechanism for an applicant to maintain eligibility if they have had a career break.

Fellowship Committee: (Maryam Sepehr ) Fellowships awarded to: Patrick Anderson, Marco Caggioni, Matthew Lieratore, Eugene Pashkovski, Robert Poole, Rekha Rao, S.Q. Wang. Discussion on evaluating industrial contributions. There was a large applicant pool.

Community Development Committee: (Katie Weigandt) Responsibilities include: Rheology Research Symposium (RRS), Student Industry Forum, New program: Early Career/New to Rheology Mentoring Program. RRS will include: career planning, mentoring, building your brand, k-12 outreach, CV workshop.

Membership Committee: (Travis Walker) Membership is: 74% academia, 17% industry, 4% Govt., 5% other. We are in 41 countries. Our ability to transition from student to regular is limited. Can be difficult to transition students to regular members if their future careers do not require rheology.

Education & Outreach Committee: (Abhi Singh, Thomas O’Connor) Planning two-day short-course on tribo-rheology. Planning outreach event at Boston Museum of Science for 2026 annual meeting.

Centennial Committee: (Safa Jamali, Jonathan Rothstein ) Planning events for Madison 2028 meeting in preparation for centennial. Putting histories on website, perspective articles in JoR, there is an umbrella committee.

Rheology Venture Fund: (Roger Bonnecaze ) 2026 Awards to: Living Rheology Compendium, Tribo-rheology short course, RheoCosmetics: Flow and Performance.

Awards Banquet: Decision to offer discounted rate ($80) to students for Awards Banquet at students.