IAU Symposia

IAUS 399: Indigenous Astronomy in the Space Age

Start date/time

July 7, 2025

End date/time

July 11, 2025

Place

University of Melbourne,
Australia

Abstract

This IAU Symposium will bring together astrophysicists, social scientists, and Indigenous Elders to explore the future of astrophysics in the Space Age by drawing from important lessons about the intersection of astronomy, culture, and society over the last 30 years. The symposium will engage with the latest scholarship in Indigenous/Cultural Astronomy to address social issues within astrophysics and examine the cross-cultural relationships between astrophysics communities and Indigenous communities around the world. The IAU proceedings will explore new research methodologies and emerging theoretical frameworks, scrutinise pathways to decolonise astronomy, and discuss ways Indigenous knowledge can guide modern astrophysics. UniMelb is a leading global institution for Indigenous community engagement through the Indigenous Knowledge Institute and the world’s only undergraduate programme in cultural astronomy. July is ideal as it is between semesters at most institutions worldwide, enabling the maximum number of participants to attend and participate in a wide range of important scientific and cultural activities available in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.