SKA project takes centre stage at IAU outreach conference

In September, representatives of many SKAO partner institutions took part in the International Astronomical Union’s Communicating Astronomy with the Public (CAP) conference at Macquarie University in Sydney, which brought together astronomy communications and outreach professionals from 43 countries.

The conference theme was Communicating Astronomy for a Better World and included a special focus on Indigenous astronomy, with illuminating talks highlighting the importa nce of diversity and inclusion in astronomy and its communication.

Members of the SKAO’s Communications & Outreach team from Australia, South Africa and the Global Headquarters shared their experiences with fellow attendees, giving several talks, running a workshop on graphic design, and taking part in a panel discussion on science communication careers. The talks delivered by the SKAO team were aimed at sharing knowledge and lessons learned with the community, and covered topics including website development, making videos, magazine production (about this very publication, Contact), and a plenary talk in collaboration with India’s National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) on the Vigyan Samagam mega science travelling exhibition.

Alongside the SKAO’s own contributions, communications and outreach colleagues from CSIRO (Australia), SARAO (South Africa), INAF (Italy), IAA (Spain), and NCRA (India) presented on SKA-related activities.

Taking pride of place in the conference venue foyer was a replica SKA-Low antenna, garnering plenty of interest from attendees.

The next CAP conference will take place in 2024 and applications for hosting it are currently open.

SKAO Communications and Outreach Officer Joe Diamond presenting with NCRA’s Tirth Choudury.

Samir Dhurde