What will we focus on now?
Topics of Focus
This Focus Meeting will be a platform to discuss and address the following topics, focusing on effective implementation both within the professional astronomical community as well as in its essential components such as public engagement, outreach, education, and heritage programs.
The Scientific Imperative of EDI: Why fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is crucial for the future and innovation of astronomy; and how it must trickle down throughout the scientific process, all the way to the community’s public engagement, outreach, education and heritage programmes.
Addressing Systemic Inequality: Strategies to confront and dismantle systemic inequalities within the astronomy community with an intersectional approach - including (but not limited to) race/ethnicity, gender, ability, nationality.
Improving Access and Accessibility: Positive actions to improve access to professional astronomy as well as to astronomical culture and ensure full participation regardless of disabilities.
Indigenous and Decolonised Astronomy: Discussing the importance of incorporating indigenous perspectives and addressing the legacy of colonialism in our field, from the global inequalities impacting the practice of astronomy to the vision of space exploration.
Global Mobility and Safety: Navigating the unique challenges of professional mobility and safety faced by astronomers, e.g. LGBTQIA+ astronomers, VISA issues depending on the passport, working and living in conflict and crises affected areas.
Actionable Solutions and Best Practices: Highlighting successful initiatives integrating EDI practices in research, teaching and public outreach programs, exploring how to center institutional curricula onto EDI and equity in the access to scientific culture.
Building a Supportive Community: The importance of creating and sustaining strong, supportive professional networks for all astronomers, and persons involved in astronomy (students, teachers, public event audience, etc).
This Meeting will Follow the IAU Code of Conduct
Please be sure to read the full Code of Conduct for the IAU Linked Below.
