ann17017 — Announcement

CAP 2018 logo
3 May 2017
Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2018 Opens Registration and Abstract Submission
The challenges of communicating astronomy in today’s world

On 24–28 March 2018, Japan will host the world’s largest conference on astronomy communication: Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2018 (CAP 2018). Professionals from science communication, informal education, planetariums and science centres, as well as professional and amateur astronomers, journalists, and creatives, are all invited to attend the event at the brand new Fukuoka City Science Museum to exchange ideas and best practice.

The Scientific Organising Committee (SOC) is inviting proposals for presentations about lessons learned, resources, studies, and hands-on activities; all under the central theme of Communicating Astronomy in Today's World: Purpose and Methods.

Until 15 October 2017, proposals for oral presentations, posters, and workshops can be submitted via the contribution submission form. The categories are:

  • Current Challenges in Astronomy Communication;
  • Best Practice in Public Outreach;
  • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Empathy in Communicating Astronomy;
  • Astronomy Communication for a Better World;
  • The Media’s Role in Astronomy Communication;
  • Using Multimedia, Social Media, Immersive Environments, and other Technologies for Public Engagement with Astronomy;
  • Special Topic: Public Engagement Opportunities during the IAU Centennial Celebration.

More details about these topics can be found on the CAP 2018 website.

Participants will also have the opportunity to put their own topics on the event agenda during the “unconference” slots. Networking activities will encourage learning from peers, identifying potential partners, and strengthening the bond between Asian-Pacific and international science communicators.

The SOC is also planning two special sessions:

  • One session in which participants can ask for help or provide help to others on specific ongoing or future projects;
  • One session dedicated to the 2019 celebrations of the IAU centennial anniversary and 10 years since the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

The fees to register for the conference are:

  • Early registration (until 15 December 2017): 30 000 JP Yen / 15 000 JP Yen for students.
  • Standard registration (until 28 February 2018): 35 000 JP Yen / 20 000 JP Yen for students.
  • One-/Two-day access pass. Please refer to the conference website.

One hundred Yen is currently equivalent to 0.90 USD dollars or 0.83 EUR (as of May 2017).

Anyone who wants to submit a proposal for a presentation should first register in order to receive an Inquiry Number. You do not need to complete payment to receive this number, but to benefit from the Early Registration fees, you should complete payment before the above-mentioned deadlines.

The International Astronomical Union will offer grants to selected participants from around the world, while the Local Organising Committee will provide additional grants to participants from Asian-Pacific developing countries to promote the professionalisation of science communication in the region.

Important dates:

  • Registration and abstract submission open 1 May 2017
  • Grant application opens 15 May 2017
  • Grant application deadline 15 September 2017
  • Grant winners announcement 1 November 2017
  • Abstract submission deadline 15 October 2017
  • Abstract selection announcement 30 November 2017
  • Early registration deadline 15 December 2017
  • First version of program published 30 January 2018
  • Standard registration deadline 28 February 2018
  • CAP 2018 Conference 24–28 March 2018

The CAP 2018 conference is organised by the IAU Commission C2: Communicating Astronomy with the Public, in cooperation with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and Fukuoka City. This is the first time a CAP Conference will be hosted in Japan.

To stay up to date with the latest information for CAP 2018, please join the conference mailing list, follow our Facebook page, our Twitter feed, or the hashtag #CAP2018.

More Information

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / Commission C2 — Communicating Astronomy with the Public (CAP)

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) brings together more than 10,000 professional astronomers from almost 100 countries. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. The IAU Commission C2 aims to encourage and enable a much larger fraction of the astronomical community to take an active role in explaining what astronomers do (and why) to our fellow citizens. It encourages international collaborations, endorses standards, best practice and requirements, and furthers the recognition of outreach and public communication of all levels of astronomy.

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)

Established in 1988, the NAOJ is the national centre for astronomical research in Japan. Since 2012, NAOJ is the host of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach and has been leading efforts on implementing workshops, teacher training, and resource allocation in the Asian-Pacific region.

Fukuoka City

The Fukuoka City Government has had a strong connection with science throughout its history, including its latest project, the new Fukuoka City Science Museum produced by the Child Affairs Bureau. The Office and Municipality have provided their full support for hosting CAP 2018.

Links

Contacts

For matters related to the scientific content of the conference and international media, contact:

Oana Sandu
CAP 2018 SOC co-chair
ESO Education and Public Outreach Department
Tel: +49 89 320 069 65
Email: osandu@partner.eso.org

Sze-leung Cheung
CAP 2018 SOC co-chair
IAU Office for Outreach
Tel: +81 422 34 3896
Cell: +81 80 9274 2454
Email: cheungszeleung@iau.org

For matters related to local organising and local media, contact:

Hidehiko Agata
CAP 2018 LOC Chair
IAU Office for Outreach
Tel.: +81 422 34 3929
Email: h.agata@nao.ac.jp

Lina Canas
CAP 2018 LOC Vice-Chair
IAU Office for Outreach
Tel.: +81-(0)422-34-3966
Email: lina.canas@nao.ac.jp

About the Announcement

Id:
ann17017

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