.Astronomy is not like a traditional conference, in that it is not centred around a particular research topic. We will probably not discover the nature of dark matter - though we challenge you to try. We know this makes it hard to convince yourself, or your boss or advisor, that it's a worthwhile conference to attend. We've listed some tips below for what we think you can expect to learn at the conference, and why you should consider attending.
What is it?
A gathering of 60–100 astronomy enthusiasts, passionate about how the web and technology can transform our science. It's an opportunity to expand your toolset for research, communication and collaboration; to broaden your view on an astronomy career.
why should i come?
Inspiration, creative new ideas, connections with like-minded people. Our open conference format with lots of time for open discussion and collaboration gives lots of opportunity to get to know people outside your usual network.
In 2017 we asked over 300 of our past participants to tell us what they gained at the conference, and here is what we learnt:
over 50% reported that they learned new technical skills
90% made connections with new and like-minded people
89% came away with new ideas and inspiration for their work
who will i meet?
The conference typically has 60–100 participants. Based on the responses we receive in the application forms, we select a diverse group of participants using the Entrofy algorithm to avoid human-brain biases. We also perform a careful pre-selection triage in addition to the algorithmic approach. We invite participants who work in research, public engagement, software development, libraries or archives; some maybe from other disciplines, teachers, or amateur astronomers.
Here are some of the inspirational speakers we've invited to past conferences: