Our Society

The Materials Research Society (MRS) was established in 1973 by a visionary group of scientists who shared the belief that their professional interests were broader in scope than existing single-discipline societies and that a new interdisciplinary organization was needed.

Today MRS is a growing, vibrant member-driven organization of materials researchers from academia, industry and government, and is a recognized leader in the advancement of interdisciplinary materials research. Headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania (USA), MRS membership now spans over 90 countries.

MRS members hail from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and engineering—the full spectrum of materials research—and they choose MRS because it is important to their work and their careers. In MRS, they find an environment for collaboration and open exchange of ideas across all scientific disciplines. Where students and Nobel Laureates come together to share their research. Where multilateral projects are a global enterprise. And where the ultimate goal is to advance materials that improve the quality of life.

The tremendous growth and success of our society is the result of member input and the energetic efforts of many MRS volunteers. They offer their precious time, their spirit, their expertise and their unique perspectives for the betterment of the materials community worldwide. These volunteers, together with our exhibitors, sponsors, partners and headquarters staff, are the framework upon which our society will continue to flourish.

Approximately 45 percent of MRS members, more than 40 percent of meeting attendees, more than 50 percent of authors in MRS publications and more than 50 percent of MRS website visitors reside outside the United States. This international character is also reflected in MRS leadership. Recent MRS boards have consisted of individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives reflecting many parts of the globe, including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America. The renewal of the president every year and the board of directors every three years, based on election by the members, promotes participation from all over the world, bringing new ideas and expertise to advance our vibrant society.

MRS recognizes that there are many organizations that are part of the fabric of the global materials community. Worldwide collaborations are critical to advance our mission and the field of materials research. MRS aspires to be a good partner to advance materials research globally. It has always welcomed, and continues to welcome, healthy, productive relationships with organizations, implementing bilateral projects with partner organizations to benefit the worldwide materials community, the members of MRS, and the members of our partner organizations.

We are proud of our recent and ongoing collaborations with other professional societies, including the American Chemical Society, the American Physical Society, European MRS, Japan Society of Applied Physics, MRS Africa, Optical Society of America, Sociedad Mexicana de Materiales (Mexico), Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa em Materiais (Brazil) and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (USA). And we look forward to working with other organizations as opportunities arise in order to better engage the worldwide community and advance materials research.

Looking ahead, we at the Materials Research Society dream of a world with a stable environment and abundant and clean energy and water. We imagine a vibrant, interdisciplinary materials enterprise that engages all demographics and geographic regions. And we affirm our commitment to be a leader in these endeavors... serving the scientific community and advancing the global quality of life.

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