International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development

International Astronomical UnionOffice of Astronomy for

Development

Kevin Govenderkg@astro4dev.org@govender

OAD

www.astro4dev.org

India-South Africa WorkshopJuly 2012

“Exploring the Universe for the benefit of humankind”

Astronomy for a better world!

Elements of Astronomy Development…

OAD

Astronomy for Universities and

Research

Astronomy for Children and

Schools

Astronomy for the public

Regional Coordinators

OAD Steering Committee

The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development

“Astronomy for a better world!”

The OAD implementation…

Vision: Astronomy for a better world! Mission:To help further the use of astronomy as a tool for development by mobilizing the human and financial resources necessary in order to realize its scientific, technological and cultural benefits to society.

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

Roles:

– Implementation of the SP– Strategic advice– Coordination and Facilitation– Funding and Infrastructure– Implementation of special projects

The OAD implementation…

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The Team at the Office:

– Director– Project Officer– Administrative Assistant– Interns / Volunteers

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The OAD implementation…

Setting up:– Director appointed March 2011– Official launch 16th April 2011 (Pandor)– Office infrastructure– Website and email lists– Staffing

• Admin Assistant• Project Officer

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The OAD timeline…

Volunteers:– Global call for volunteers– Appeal to IAU membership– International lobbying at conferences

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The OAD timeline…

Volunteers (~400) – country of origin...

Astronomy for Children and Schools

(ACS)

Astronomy for

Universities and

Research (AUR)

Astronomy for the Public (APU)

20

26

33

36

143

71

11

Volunteers – areas of interest...

260238

261

OAD Stakeholders Workshop:– 12 to 14 December 2011– 56 participants– 28 countries– Discussions on Task Forces, Regional Nodes, and

topics related to astronomy-for-development

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The OAD timeline…

– IAU TAD Programme – Royal Astronomical Society– Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research– Microsoft Research– International Science Programme at Uppsala,

Sweden– IAU ISYA– ICTP

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The OAD timeline…

Collaborative Programmes/Grants:

Pilot Projects:– Transit of Venus Consolidation– Science Hack Day– Microsoft Worldwide Telescope Workshop– Astronomy Training for Research level

Observations (University Physics Departments)

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The OAD timeline…

Establishment of Regional Nodes:– Announcement of Opportunity (January 2012)– Language Expertise Centres included– €5000 seed funding per node– 31 Expressions of Interest– 14 Full proposals– Selection committee (EDOC) comprising IAU

President, IAU General Secretary, OAD Steering Committee, OAD Director

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The OAD timeline…

Establishment of Task Forces:– Call for nominations (January 2012)– 36 Nominations– Selection of Chairs and Vice-Chairs by EDOC– Selection of members by EDOC– Task Forces launched April 2012

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

The OAD timeline…

TF1: Universities and Research • Edward Guinan (USA – Chair)• Katrien Kolenberg (USA/Belgium – Vice-Chair)• Jean-Pierre de Greve (Belgium)• Michele Gerbaldi (France)• Roger Hajjar (Lebanon)• Edward Juria (Uganda)• Richard de Grijs (China)• Shengbang Qian (China)• Hakim Malasan (Indonesia) • Nicole van der Bliek (Chile) IAU OAD

astronomy for a better world

OAD Task Forces

TF2: Children and Schools 

• Pedro Russo (Leiden University/UNAWE) (Chair)• Edward Gomez (LCOGT, Cardiff) (Vice-Chair)• Akihiko Tomita (Japan)• Robert Hollow (Australia)• Mary Kay Hemmenway (USA)• Ofodum Chukwujekwu Nworah (Nigeria)• Cecilia Scorza (Venezuela/Germany)• Rosa Maria Ros (Spain)• Rosa Doran (Portugal)• Linda Strubbe (Canada) IAU OAD

astronomy for a better world

OAD Task Forces

TF3: Public 

• Ian Robson (UK - Chair)• Carolina Odman (South Africa – Vice-Chair)• Thilina Heenatigala (Sri Lanka)• Sarah Kendrew (EU - New Media)• German Puerta (Colombia)• Komiko Usida (Japan)• Sarah Reed (Japan/UK)

IAU OADastronomy for a better world

OAD Task Forces

Activities Currently Underway

•IAU General Assembly •Special Session•Exhibition

•Task Force calls for proposals•Establishment of regional nodes•Develop volunteer management system•Implement intensive fundraising drive•ISP Virtual Observatory pilot programme•RAS-OAD Visiting Experts Programme•NWO-OAD Visiting Experts Programme

2015 Strategic Goals

•Active regional nodes on all continents

•Active Task Forces with yearly funding cycle

•Secured funding for the OAD in the 2016 to 2020 period.

•Sustainable volunteer programme

•Total accumulated fundraising exceeding those made through the IAU-NRF agreement.

Example project...

•How do we coordinate volunteers and opportunities globally?

www.dotastronomy.com

www.astronomyfordevelopment.orgkg@astro4dev.org

@govender

Astronomy for a better world!