3 - 7 August 2025
San Diego, California, US

Community at SPIE Optics + Photonics

Learn about resources and events that support equitable and inclusive environments in optics and photonics

Welcome to the community

Join us as we continue to learn how diversity drives success on global collaborations. Take advantage of the opportunities that we as an organization, and you as an attendee can participate in as we work to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community and beyond.

On this page you will find a variety of resources available to you.

SPIE Optics + Photonics advocates for inclusion

Recent progress. Ongoing efforts. Continual improvement.


Women in Optics—our story is far from over

  • 44% of the SPIE Board and 43% of Standing Committee roles are now filled by women
  • 14.2% of SPIE Senior Members and 12.2% of SPIE Fellows are female
  • In 2024, 38% of our Society Award recipients were women
  • You can help! Nominate yourself or others for the Women in Optics notebook, SPIE Senior Members, SPIE Fellows, and SPIE Society Awards. Elevate women to leadership roles within the Society and feature them as event speakers. Together. We can.

Women gather in the Optics + Photonics Community Lounge between sessions.

Advocacy and accommodations

All in-person SPIE meetings will now have:
o Quiet room (prayer, decompression, meditation)
o Privacy room for nursing mothers
o Gender neutral restrooms whenever possible
o Anti-harassment signage and policies co-sponsored with Optica

Learn about SPIE Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

SPIE believes in the development of collaborative environments that value participation from individuals with different ideas and perspectives. Because diversity drives success on global collaborations, this unity of brilliant scientific minds leads other STEM fields in seeking more diversity. There is always work to be done and improvements that can be made. Find resources and events here to advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Diversity tools and tips


Family care while attending the meeting


SPIE believes that individuals with significant caregiving responsibilities should have an equal opportunity to share their research and participate in conferences and symposia.

SPIE Family Care Grants are designed to supplement caregiving costs incurred by SPIE Early Career Members who are registered to attend an SPIE meeting. See hotel details in the reservation system to find hotels that offer onsite childcare. 

Find information and apply for an SPIE Family Care Grant