Anastasios (Tasis) Kapodistrias. Photo: Private.

The accelerator program ASTRO ACCEL, with funding support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), forms the basis for the investment in this new network. The overall aim is to find new innovative solutions on how to enhance research and its application across the fields of astronomy education, engagement, communication and culture.

A total of eight people are part of the network, all of whom are early career researchers and practitioners in the aforementioned fields. Under the mentorship of leading experts in the field, this selected cohort of scholars from diverse backgrounds will embark on a two year journey of discovery and activities aimed at enhancing their skills and advancing research and its implications. In addition to Tasis, who represents Sweden and Stockholm University, the participants come from France, Iran, South Africa and various parts of the United States.

–  It feels really exciting to be part of this network, says Tasis Kapodistrias. Especially, because I get to meet new people and learn from their perspectives and knowledge in the field of astronomy. I hope to get to know many new perspectives that I can use in my research and future career.

Important goals on the agenda

The collaboration in the network has just begun, and on May 7th they had their first online meeting. On the agenda was, among other things, to start setting goals for their work. Some examples of goals that they have discussed so far are:

• Develop cooperation within the network, with the goal of participating in activities that will bring together early career researchers from all different perspectives (astronomy education, communication, engagement and culture).
• Facilitate the bridge between research and practice, so that innovative ideas that flourish are met in practice to advance people’s engagement with Astronomy in different contexts.
• Start collaborations with more experienced researchers and community members from all around the world, to fully harness the potential of this global network.

The first in-person meeting in Cape Town

So far, the group has planned to have one digital meeting a month to continue discussing goals, planning various activities and progressing their work forward. Two physical meetings are also planned. The first time they´ll meet “IRL” is in August in Cape Town, South Africa.

– When we meet in Cape Town, we will have our first workshop, where we are planning to discuss about our individual works, bring our ideas together and start designing smaller groups of action in order to meet our goals.  The workshop is held just before the General Assembly of the IAU (International Astronomical Union), which takes place in Cape Town from the 6th to 15th of August, says Tasis. It will be a great opportunity to meet competent people in the field and show each other what we do.  We will also have a second workshop next year, but the date is not planned yet.

– When we meet in Cape Town, we will also take the opportunity to organize some social activities so we get to know each other better on a more informal level. I look forward to meeting everyone in person and continuing to develop our collaboration.

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IAU General Assembly, Cape Town