Bringing together African & European research communities with an inclusive astronomy conference

TL;DR

This paper describes an inclusive international astronomy conference that successfully bridged African and European research communities by promoting diversity, support, and collaboration, with positive immediate and long-term impacts.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach to organizing an inclusive, supportive, and diverse scientific conference that effectively fosters international collaboration and addresses barriers faced by underrepresented researchers.

Findings

Achieved increased participation from African scientists.

Built lasting professional networks among participants.

Received positive feedback and demonstrated long-term benefits.

Abstract

We report on an international scientific conference, where we brought together African and European academic astronomers. This aimed to bridge the gap between those in position of privilege, with ease of access to international events (i.e., the typical experience of academics in Western institutions), with those historically excluded (affecting the majority of African scientists/institutions). We describe how we designed the conference around cutting-edge research problems, but with a parallel focus on building networking and professional relationships. Significant effort went into: (1) ensuring a diversity of participants; (2) practically and financially supporting those who may never have attended an international conference and; (3) creating an inclusive and supportive environment through a careful programme of activities, both before and during the event. Maintaining scientific integrity was a core commitment throughout. We summarise successes, challenges and lessons learnt from organising this conference. We also present feedback obtained from participants immediately after the conference, and a discussion of some longer-term impacts, which we identified around 1 year later. We found an overall achievement of our objectives, and multiple longer-term benefits. With this report we provide some key recommendations for groups, from any research field, who may wish to lead similar initiatives.