From 21 to 25 September 2020, Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Commission C2 — Communicating Astronomy with the Public (CAP), will host the world’s largest conference on astronomy communication: Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2020 (CAP2020). Professionals from science communication, informal education, planetaria and science centres, as well as professional and amateur astronomers, journalists and creatives, are invited to attend the conference to exchange ideas and discuss best practice.

Under the central theme of Communicating Astronomy for a Better World: Environment, Culture and Peace, the Scientific Organising Committee (SOC) invites proposals for oral presentations, posters, and workshops to be submitted online by 15 March 2020. The topics that will be discussed at the conference are:

1. Current Challenges in Astronomy Communication
2. Best Practice in Public Outreach
3. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Empathy in Communicating Astronomy
4. The Media’s Role in Astronomy Communication
5. Using Multimedia, Social Media, Immersive Environments and other Technologies for Public Engagement with Astronomy
6. Astronomy and Climate Change
7. Astronomy Communication to Promote Peace
8. The Role of Astronomy in Bridging Cultures
9. Communicating Astronomy in the Asia-Pacific Region 

Participants will also have the opportunity to add their own topics for discussion during the event’s “unconference” slots. Networking activities will encourage learning from peers, identifying potential partners, and strengthening the links between Asia-Pacific and international science communicators.

In addition, the SOC is planning two special sessions:

1. Legacy of the IAU100 Celebrations
2. Communicating Astronomy: the IAU Strategic Plan 2020–2030

Registration for the conference is now open (early registration rates apply up to and including 31 May 2020).

The fees* to register for the conference are:

• Early bird (until 31 May 2020): AU $500 including GST;
• Standard (from 1 June 2020): AU $550 including GST;

*Includes access to the conference, social activities and dinner.

The International Astronomical Union will offer a small number of grants or fee waivers to selected participants from around the world. 

Important dates:

• Abstract submission deadline 15 March 2020
• Grant application deadline 15 March 2020
• Grant winners announcement & speakers and poster presenters notified 10 May 2020
• Early registration deadline 31 May 2020
• Final registration deadline 4 September 2020

To stay up to date with the latest information on CAP2020, please join the conference mailing list, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or the hashtag #IAUCAP2020.

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 13 500 professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

Established in 1964, Macquarie University began as a bold experiment in higher education. Built to break from traditions: to be distinctive, progressive, and to be transformational. Today our pioneering history continues to be a source of inspiration as we celebrate our place among the best and brightest minds. Our research is leading the way in ground-breaking discoveries. Our academics are at the forefront of innovation and, as accomplished researchers, we are embracing the opportunity to tackle the big issues of our time.

Links

• Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2020 
• Registration form
• Contribution submission form 
• Grant application
• Conference Facebook page
• Conference Mailing List
• Conference Twitter account 
• IAU Commission C2 
• Macquarie University 

Contacts

Oana Sandu
CAP2020 SOC co-chair
ESO Education and Public Outreach Department
Tel: +49 89 320 069 65
Email: osandu@partner.eso.org

Ramasamy Venugopal
CAP2020 SOC Co-Chair
IAU Office of Astronomy for Development
Tel: +27 60 776 3832
Email: rv@astro4dev.org 

Lina Canas
CAP2020 SOC Co-Chair
IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach
Tel: +81-(0)422-34-3966
Email: linacanas@nao.ac.jp 

Richard de Grijs
CAP2020 LOC Chair
Tel: +61 2 9850 8317
Email: richard.de-grijs@mq.edu.au 

Lars Lindberg Christensen
IAU Press Officer
Garching bei München, Germany
Tel: +49 89 320 06 761
Cell: +49 173 38 72 621
Email: lars@eso.org