Diversity, inclusion, equity and support are crucial ingredients for the emergence of creative ideas and innovation, the building blocks of research. It is particularly important for Early Career Astronomers (ECAs) to connect and learn navigating the academic system in permanent evolution (e.g., responding to pandemic, climate change and diversity crises). Securing the next job, building a mentoring network, finding support at work while ultimately developing a sustainable behavior is important, yet challenging, particularly for underrepresented minorities in astronomy. Such issues must be addressed simultaneously internationally and at the level of individual institutions. This Early Career Astronomy Day at EAS 2024 aims to bring together scientists across generations to take the practical next steps addressing career challenges.

We invite astronomers from all career stages to participate in our session, to be involved as mentors and mentees, advisors and to share experiences and ideas throughout the sessions for how to best support early career astronomers. We particularly would also love to hear from astronomers with traditionally marginalized backgrounds and/or that are part of underrepresented groups in astronomy.

Programme

The ECA day will consist of 4 sessions. Our morning session is themed on "Creating Supportive Environments" and will focus on how we can work together to cultivate a better working environment. For our lunch session we will go as a group to the Naviglio and have lunch together. Our afternoon session is themed on "Defining your path" and will focus on navigating an astronomical career from different perspectives. Our final session will be a panel discussion focused on post-PhD career trajectories within and outside academia.

SS23a 09:00 - 10:30

09:00 - 09:15 Seven years of mentorship at Konkoly Observatory László Molnár

09:15 - 09:30 Supporting early career caregivers in astronomy Veronica Allen

09:30 - 09:45 The 21 Group Wyn Evans

09:45 - 10:00 Advancing Astronomy Education through Innovative Technology Gayane Baleyan

10:00 - 10:25 Building your academic career Joanna Drazkowska

SS23b 13:15 - 14:45

We will go to Naviglio for lunch as a group.

SS23c 15:00 - 16:30

15:00 - 15:25 The NOVA SKIES Programme - A training on entrepreneurial competences for young astronomer Giovanna Pugliese

15:25 - 15:50 How my immigrant background helped and hindered my academic upbringing Rajika Kuruwita

15:50 - 16:15 A space for your whole self: carving your academic path Viviana Acquaviva

16:15 - 16:30 Astrobites: A global outreach collaboration by PhD students Roel Lefever

SS23d 17:00 - 18:30

17:00 - 18:30 Panel Discussion on Post-PhD Astronomy Careers

Invited speakers

(in alphabetical order)
• Viviana Acquaviva (CUNY/Columbia U.)
• Joanna Drazkowska (MPS)
• Rajika Kuruwita (HITS)
• Roel Lefever (ZAH ARI, Uni Heidelberg)
• Giovanna Pugliese (API, UVA)

Scientific organisers

Science Organising Committee in alphabetical order:
Marco Alban, PhD candidate, Heidelberg University, Germany
Jeong Yun Choi, PhD candidate, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Germany
Anne Inkenhaag, PhD candidate, Radboud University, NL
Owen Johnson, PhD candidate, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Cormac Larkin, PhD candidate, Heidelberg University & MPIK, Germany (Chair)
Roel Lefever, PhD candidate, Heidelberg University, Germany (Co-chair)
Soheb Mandhai, Postdoc, University of Manchester, UK
Parita Mehta, PhD candidate, University of Warsaw, Poland
Prakruti Sudarshan, PhD candidate, MPIA, Germany (Co-chair)
Abhinna Sundar Samantaray, PhD candidate, Heidelberg University, Germany
Jakob van den Eijnden, Postdoc, University of Warwick, UK
Jia Wei Teh, PhD candidate, Heidelberg University, Germany

Contact

cormac.larkin @ uni-heidelberg.de