@astro4dev.bsky.social
#Astronomy for positive developmental change. The Office of Astronomy for Development is a joint project of the International Astronomical Union and the South African National Research Foundation with the support of the Dept of Science and Innovation.
Hack4dev (Hackathons for Development) is calling on individuals passionate about #datascience & driven to make a meaningful #impact in their communities to apply to its Organisers #Hackathon. Deadline 10 Nov. Open to all countries globally.
Selected teams will receive training, funding, and support.
Congratulations to RECA (Red Estudiantes Colombianos de Astronomía) Educacion for winning the 2025 Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement. RECA received an IAU OAD grant in 2024 through the call for proposals.
astro4dev.org/iau-oad-supp...
[Colombia, astronomy, science, schools, inspiration, STEM]
OAD Director Kevin Govender will be giving a presentation titled "BRICS Astronomy and IAU OAD" at the 11th meeting of the #BRICS #Astronomy Working Group happening this week in São Paulo, Brazil.
The talk will happen during Session 8 of the meeting:
⏰ 7pm UTC
www.youtube.com/live/9370GcD...
IAU OAD Annual Report for 2024-25 is out
Highlights include the first IAU General Assembly in #Africa, comments in @nature.com Astronomy, showcase of our 2024 #astro4dev projects, launch of the online communities, and our full moon mashup webinar series.
astro4dev.org/annual-repor...
Hack4dev (Hackathons for Development) are calling for teams globally to apply to host hackathons. The first stage is a training workshop for organising teams in Cape Town for which applications are now open.
Deadline: 27 Oct
hack4dev.org/dshp-organis...
#hackathon #skillsdevelopment #innovation
If you are passionate about #ruraldevelopment, #job creation, or creative approaches to improving #mentalhealth, explore our ecosystem of resources, trainings, community, and funding.
recording of the launch event:
youtu.be/hna-hhDOtR8?...
Join us on Fri, Sep 26 at 08:30am UTC for the launch of our Flagships Ecosystem by the IAU President Prof Willy Benz.
The ecosystem will provide a holistic framework and clear pathways to drive development through astronomy.
#astro4dev #astrotourism #mentalhealth
astro4dev.org/internationa...
Join us on Aug 28 at the Physics for Development Colloquia Series, hosted by the American Physical Society Forum on International Physics. Dr. Joyful Mdhluli will discuss the role of astronomy as a tool for development.
astro4dev.org/mark-your-ca...
#physics #astronomy #development #SDGs #astro4dev
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...
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
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 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
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
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...
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...