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Oxford XIII / IAU Symposium 399

Indigenous Astronomy in the Space Age

7-11 July 2025 (NAIDOC Week)

University of Melbourne, Australia
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Peter Lieverdink

UPDATES
Registration is now open!
 
Registration is now open! Early Bird registration (-10%) will end 15 May, and final registration will end 15 June.

This is a not-for-profit event. The conference fee has been set to the lowest limit possible to cover costs while making it affordable for attendees. As such, we are not able to provide fee waivers.
Conference Venue
The symposium and conference dinner will be held at The Woodward Conference Centre on Level 10 of the Melbourne Law School at the University of Melbourne. This fantastic conference centre, managed by University House, is state of the art with amazing panoramic views of Melbourne from 10 stories up.

The conference fee includes morning and afternoon tea, plus complimentary membership to University House. The membership provides discounts for food and drinks at University House (Professor's Walk, Woodward Centre, and Southbank).
Travel Grants
All recipients of IAU and AAAC travel grants have now been notified. We received over 110,000 in funding requests, but only had €20,000 available. As such, we were forced to make some difficult decisions, but are happy we have been able to support scholars from around the world to join us for this promising symposium.
Accommodation
 
Please click here to complete an expression of interest for student accommodation at University College on campus. Three styles of rooms are available from A$81 to A$100 per night (includes breakfast), plus optional additional meals (lunch and dinner). Once we confirm the rooms for the nights you are seeking, we will book them and you can pay through this site.

Special Evening Events

Sunday, 6 July (Free): Stargazing at the State Library of Victoria, sponsored by the ASV.
Monday, 7 July ($25 pp): Reception Drinks at University House (Professor's Walk).
Tuesday, 8 July (Free): July Lectures in Physics presents Prof Clive Ruggles.

Wednesday, 9 July (Free): Indigenous Space Futures panel discussion at the Melbourne Museum.
Thursday, 10 July ($100 pp): Conference Dinner at University House (Woodward Centre).
Friday, 11 July ($25 pp): A night at the Planetarium and dinner at Grazeland.

About the Symposium

Astronomy is considered the oldest science, with observations of the Sun, Moon, and stars setting the earliest foundations for marking time, forecasting weather, navigating land and sea, predicting seasonal change, and serving as a memory palace for oral traditions that passed knowledge to successive generations over thousands of years. Even the modern scientific process of astronomy has roots in history, religion, cultural traditions, and philosophy. As we continue to research, debate, and discuss this fact, we are becoming better equipped to refine our approach to studying the cosmos and understanding our place within it. ISAAC has been pioneering this research for more than 40 years. Now, with eyes to the future, we are able to explore how our understanding of space, astronomy and culture can guide us forward as we expand our presence in space. Current collaborations are bringing together astronomers, Indigenous elders, educators, and social scientists to understand how ancient systems of knowledge can inform research and engagement practices. The modern era is dominated by astronomical discoveries, cutting-edge technologies, and a growing human presence in space. We are well into the Space Age, seeing significant advances in space exploration and plans to build habitats for humans on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, as proposed NASA’s Artemis Project. A range of social challenges accompany the technological and scientific advancements that are required to realise humanity's space-based ambitions. How can we address critical issues in the astro/space sector? IAUS 399/Oxford XIII is an in-person and virtual symposium that recognises the important impact of cultural astronomy on astrophysics and the space sector with regard to addressing pertinent questions about the future of humanity in the Space Age. The symposium will take place during Australia's NAIDOC Week 2025, which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture. The symposium will address the following questions: (1) How can the astronomical and space communities support Indigenous Knowledge, engage collaboratively with First Nations communities, and pave a future for the next generation of Indigenous astronomers? ​ (2) How can we safeguard astronomical knowledge and heritage while establishing roadmaps and guidelines for humanity’s future in space? ​ (3) How are Indigenous astronomies, ground-based observatories, humanity's expansion into space, and the relationships between them juxtaposed in our future vision as we progress through the Space Age?​ This symposium aims to bring scholars, elders, scientists, and policy makers together to address pressing issues to guide future synergies between Indigenous knowledges, cutting-edge astrophysics, and our collective future in the Space Age.

Information & Registration

Information

Posters

Posters
Click on an image below to see full scale poster, which you can
download and print or share on social media.

Sponsors

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© ISAAC 2024. Duane Hamacher

Website sponsored by the Australian Association for Astronomy in Culture

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