Learn about Slate-Based Elections and the Future of MRS Governance

Since 2018–2019, the Materials Research Society (MRS) Board has worked to modernize its governance by adopting leading practices, strengthening volunteer–staff partnerships, and shifting to a competency-based leadership model. In 2023–2024, this effort led to a unanimous move to slate-based elections and MRS’s first open call for Board candidates, which was overwhelmingly approved by the membership. These changes aim to broaden access to leadership, better reflect the diversity of MRS members, and strengthen engagement across all career stages. Eric Stach, 2025 MRS President, and Young-Chang Joo, MRS Vice President, explain what this means for members in this video.