IAU-OAD

Our astrotourism resources are now on Arxiv - guiding policymakers, #tourism operators, grassroots organisers, #entrepreneurs on how they can foster inclusive, locally grounded, #sustainable #astrotourism, particularly in under-resourced or emerging contexts.
arxiv.org/pdf/2507.15827

Students at #ISYA46 designing #Astrotourism activities as part of the Cultural Astronomy course that follows @astro4dev.bsky.social methodology. They are guided by lecturer Nico Vásquez (EPN, #Ecuador) 🔭

Our article in @nature.com Astronomy makes the case for further investments in the transformative potential of astronomy, not only as a scientific endeavour, but a vehicle for social progress.
#astronomy #SDGs #development #skillsdevelopment #mentalhealth #astrotourism
astro4dev.org/new-publicat...

Q & A with OAD Deputy Director Dr Charles Takalana - IAU Office of Astronomy for Development My fascination with astronomy began in childhood. I was a naturally curious child, captivated by nature and the things that influence the world.

OAD Deputy Director, Dr Takalana, was interviewed by a student on his astronomy journey. "Astronomy has profoundly shaped my perspective on life and our collective future. It shows how much we can achieve when we are curious, collaborative, and guided by evidence."
astro4dev.org/q-a-with-oad...

The IAU North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development invites applications for its Women and Girls in Astronomy Program. For projects in #Canada #USA, the Caribbean #Mexico #Greenland
naroad.astro4dev.org/na-road-proj...

#womeninastronomy #girlsinSTEM #astro4dev #genderequity

IAU-Funded Project Wins $1.5 Million Grant From Simons Foundation The Cenca Bridge project, which is making scientific research more accessible for students in Central America and the Caribbean, exemplifies how IAU support can help new initiatives to get established...

Congratulations to Cenca Bridge for winning a $1.5 million grant from the Simons Foundation to further expand its work in Central American and Caribbean countries. The project was initially funded by the IAU OAD for 3 years through its grants program. iau.org/Iau/News/Ann...

#skillsdevelopment

IAU OAD 2025 Grants Open: Astronomy to Promote Sustainable Development - IAU Office of Astronomy for Development What is the role of discovery sciences in global development? Can astronomers contribute their skills to solve local and global challenges? The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) has launch...

IAU OAD 2025 Call for Proposals Open!
Astronomy isn’t just about exploring the universe—it can also drive positive social change! Submit your proposals that use astronomy to address global challenges.
astro4dev.org/iau-oad-2025...
#astronomy #SDGs #development #astro4dev #grant #scienceforsociety

The CWAPC Women AstroPreneurs Collective project in India aims to integrate first-generation female graduates into the workforce by equipping them with skills needed to produce astronomy products, and foster entrepreneurship among women. Supported by the IAU OAD.
#women #entrepreneurship #astronomy

IAU and OAD Contributor Michèle Gerbaldi Awarded by France Dr. Michèle Gerbaldi, a long time friend and collaborator of the OAD, has been awarded the Chevalière de l'Ordre National du Mérite by France

Congratulations to Michèle Gerbaldi, a long time friend and collaborator of the IAU and Office of Astronomy for Development, who has been awarded the Chevalière de l’Ordre National du Mérite by France for her contributions to #astronomy.

astro4dev.org/iau-and-oad-...

For the next Astro4Dev Full Moon Mashup, we’ll be in conversation with anthropologist Dr. Hanna Nieber. By exploring the intersections between astronomy and the social sciences, we can devise inclusive and culturally sensitive development that empower communities. #astronomy #anthropology #astro4dev

SKA Data Challenge: Training the Next Generation of African Scientists Hack4dev successfully ran the SKA Data Challenge at the AfAS (African Astronomical Society) 2025 Data Science Hackathon.

Hackdev ran a #hackathon based on the #SKA #DataChallenge at the 2025 African Astronomical Society conference. The data challenges were created by SKA to build community expertise. Materials and notebooks from this first challenge are available on GitHub.

astro4dev.org/ska-data-cha...

OAD Fellow Samyukta Manikumar talked abt "The Potential of Astrotourism in Africa" highlighting unique strengths —pristine night skies, rich cultural heritage—while balancing growth with the preservation of indigenous knowledge.
#AfAS2025 #Astro4Dev #Astrotourism #Astronomy #EconomicDevelopment

What is the #Impact of Mega Astronomy Infrastructures on #Development?
Join us for an insightful discussion with Dr Daniel Mokhohlane whose Ph.D. research focused on the Northern Cape Province in #SouthAfrica and its role in hosting large-scale #astronomy projects.
📅 14 March 2025
⏰ 09:00 am UTC

Ever wondered how #astronomy can have a real #impact on people and communities?

Join us on Fri, Feb 21 from 3-5pm SAST to hear from teams around the world who have been using astronomy in diverse ways to promote #sustainabledevelopment. astro4dev.org/projects-pre...
#scienceforsociety #astro4dev

#IAUGA2024 50 days until the close of submissions for Grants/Abstracts!

Scan the OR code in the image or go to the following website for more: astronomy2024.org/abstracts-gr...

📸Blouberg, Credits: Cape Town Tourism
#AfricaLookUp #AstronomyInAfrica

#Astrotourism projects in #Mongolia #Pakistan, community #education program in #Honduras, astronomers-artists collab in #Brazil, #girls education projects in #Kenya #Ethiopia - these are some of the IAU OAD 2024 projects that will apply #astronomy for #development.

www.iau.org/news/announc...

Workshops Build Solar Eclipse Sonification Devices LightSound Project is building and distributing solar eclipse sonification devices across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

LightSound project is building and distributing eclipse #sonification devices across US, Mexico, and Canada in preparation for upcoming #solareclipse. Instructions and code are available on the website. Supported by an IAU OAD grant.
www.astro4dev.org/workshops-bu...

#Stress #anxiety, other #mentalhealth challenges are rising in today's fast-paced world. The “Astronomy as a Tool for Mental Wellbeing” workshop by IAPS and OAD offers a unique perspective on managing and improving mental health. #physics #astronomy #students
iaps.info/2023/10/22/a...