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 2025 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

Times TBA

Invited speakers

TBA

Scientific organisers

• Anne Inkenhaag University of Bath, UK
• Cormac Larkin Heidelberg University & MPIK, Germany
• Roel Lefever Heidelberg University, co-chair, contact person
• Soheb Mandhai University of Manchester, UK
• Parita Mehta University of Warsaw, Poland
• Prakruti Sudarshan MPIA, Germany, co-chair
• Jakob van den Eijnden University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Jia Wei Teh Heidelberg University, Germany

Contact

roel.lefever @ uni-heidelberg.de