Indo-French scientific collaboration in radio astronomy

BY MAMTA PANDEY-POMMIER (UNIVERSITY CLAUDE BERNARD LYON 1)

In March, Dr. Chinnathambi Muthumariappan and Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and myself organised the Indo-French CEFIPRA Astronomy & Astrophysics Meeting (IFCAAM 2021) on the theme of the Galactic and Extragalactic universe in the era of new generation radio (SKA and pathfinders)/infrared/optical(MSE) facilities.

The meeting was held under the auspices of the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research, and was also part of celebrations marking the Golden Jubilee of India’s Department of Science and Technology and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). The conference had three objectives:

• To strengthen collaborative and partnership research in the upcoming mega international projects in astronomy and foster exchange programmes for students and researchers,

• To promote Women’s careers in astronomy to balance the gender-gap in academia and research, and

• To discuss the importance of communication, outreach, and the management of diversity and inclusion in large international collaborations

Scientifically, the meeting addressed current key science questions, recent discoveries, and advances expected with future facilities. Researchers from several institutes in France, India and their international partners established contacts and started scientific collaborations on galactic and extragalactic astronomy projects using facilities such as GMRT, IRAM and others, while long-term collaborations in the context of upcoming mega facilities such as the SKA and TMT were also started between Lyon University, NCRA, the IIA and other institutes.

Participants highlighted continuing discrepancies between women’s and men’s careers, with women more likely to be in fixed-term positions. They called for institutional actions to hire more women researchers at permanent positions to help overcome biases, as well as more training programmes to create awareness of stereotypes and more mentoring, career development programmes and role models for women.

Participants also highlighted the importance of communication and outreach in the development of large international scientific collaborations, for social development and accountability of public funds used to fund research.

In terms of how meetings should be run in a post-pandemic world, 92% of participants voted in favour of hybrid meetings in the future. It was acknowledged that while virtual meetings are more economical, inclusive and environment friendly, face-to-face meetings are equally important for networking and building longer-term collaborations.

Overall the conference was a success and further strengthened long-term ties between SKA partner countries India and France, and international partners in upcoming high priority mega-science projects in astronomy.

Participation of French, Indian, and international (Germany, Japan, Spain, UK, US and other EU countries) faculties and students in the event.

Mamta Pandey-Pommier