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Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society... has ended
The third annual conference of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS-2023) will take place as a hybrid event from 13 to 17 March 2023 at the University of the Witwatersrand Origins Centre, Johannesburg, hosted by the Wits Centre for Astrophysics. The AfAS-2023 conference will focus on the science, outreach, communication, and education activities emanating from Astronomy in Africa and seek to enhance further collaborations among countries in Africa and the rest of the world. The annual AfAS conference attracts policymakers, funders, researchers, outreach officers, and educators. It provides them with a platform to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, and challenges encountered and to adopt solutions.

OBJECTIVES

  • Share astronomy research from across Africa and promote dialogues, critical conversations, and debates around research topics.
  • Foster collaborations between the African Astronomy Community and the rest of the world
  • Showcase recent developments in Astronomy in African countries.
  • Provide a platform for policymakers, funders, researchers, outreach officers, and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, challenges encountered, and solutions adopted.
  • Provide a platform for deliberations on strategies and policies, including the establishment and roll-out of astronomy schools, flagship projects, etc.
  • Discuss continental, regional, and national plans leading to the IAU General Assembly in 2024, Vision 2024, and the envisaged legacy thereafter.
  • Discussions on membership and conference fees and benefits and acceptance, in principle, for introducing membership fees from April 2024.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
  • New partnerships and collaborations in the fields of astronomy and related big data research in Africa and internationally
  • Increased Awareness of activities in Africa, both by Africans and international collaborators
  • Increase in collaborations and better dialogue amongst countries
  • Young African researchers inspired to take ownership and drive the development of astronomy in Africa.
  • Strategic partnerships for the implementation of AfAS flagship and other projects for the development of Astronomy in Africa and aligned to the goals of the GA2024 and beyond
  • Approval of conference and membership fees and benefits
avatar for Tshiamiso Makwela

Tshiamiso Makwela

IAU-OAE and UCT
Postdoc
South Africa
Dr. Tshiamiso Makwela recently earned a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cape Town. Presently, she is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the  International Astronomy Union (IAU), Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE), and the Department of Astronomy at UCT. Makwela's interests and contributions are in Astronomy Education Research (AER), a field that investigates strategies for promoting access to astronomical knowledge for individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities. Her work is characterized by a deep commitment to creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with rich astronomy content.

My Speakers Sessions

Monday, March 13
 

14:00 SAST

Session 3: Plenary 2 (Science and Outreach) Tapestry RoomNaomi Asabre Frimpong • Lindsay Magnus • Jane Rigby • Tshiamiso Makwela • Niruj Mohan Ramanujam
 
Wednesday, March 15
 

13:30 SAST

Session 13 - Parallel Session 5: Astronomy Education in Schools and Universities Eland RoomTshiamiso Makwela • Dorcas Oseni • Andrew Chen • Amidou Sorgho • Albert Kuntu Forson
 

My Chair Sessions

Wednesday, March 15
 

13:30 SAST

Session 13 - Parallel Session 5: Astronomy Education in Schools and Universities Eland RoomTshiamiso Makwela • Dorcas Oseni • Andrew Chen • Amidou Sorgho • Albert Kuntu Forson