Scientific organisations with incorporated diversity and inclusion programmes provide direct benefits to the individuals and working groups within the organisation. The goals of this paper are as follows: 1) To report the findings of studies that research the benefits of diversity in an organisation; 2) To illustrate a model of inclusion in the workplace; 3) To explain how these programs can positively impact working groups in observatory operations. Examples of ongoing diversity and inclusion activities at observatories managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) are outlined. These practices and agents of diversity and inclusion are effectively leveraged to develop the diversity, equity, and inclusion plan of AURA’s NSF-funded nighttime facilities. The current status of this strategic plan is discussed.

There are two obvious barriers in the implementation process of astronomical education and public outreach in China. One is the lack of astronomy teachers and public outreach educators. The other is that the material of astronomical education are not rich enough and mostly outdated. Using internet and big data technology, astronomers and science educators are trying to break these barriers. The concept of a World-Wide Telescope was first mentioned in an article published on Science (2001) and the authors proposed the goal of making the internet act as the world’s best telescope. In 2008 Microsoft Research launched the astronomical data visualization platform named WorldWide Telecope (WWT) and made it open-sourced in 2015. In China, the Chinese Virtual Observatory (China-VO) takes the leading role of the development and the promotion of WWT platform. By the end of 2019, 11 WWT teacher training workshops had been held and three national WWT tour contests had been organised. Over 500 science educators and public outreach practitioners participated in these programmes. In 2018, the fully localised and function-enhanced China-VO WWT was launched and tons of new astronomical data were added in 2019. It is now widely acclaimed in the Chinese science education community whether in big cities or rural areas. With massive astronomical data and the unique tour production function design, WWT becomes an ideal platform for astronomy education. To some extent, it breaks the barriers of traditional science (especially astronomy, physics and geography) education.

This paper presents an overview of outreach programs and methods designed to increase the accessibility of astronomy and the STEM fields. These strategies are designed to foster disability inclusion and equitable education for diverse learners.

The Portuguese Language Office of Astronomy for Development (PLOAD) was established in 2015 by the International Astronomical Union with the goal of promoting astronomy as a tool for sustainable development in Portuguese-speaking countries. In this work I present a global perspective of the PLOAD actions, highlighting the Brazilian experience and discussing some of our main results and prospects.

The Mutlimessenger Diversity Network (MDN) is a nascent project funded by the National Science Foundation in the United States to establish a community of representatives from multimessenger astronomy research collaborations focused on increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in the field. The goals of the MDN are to share knowledge, experience, training and develop resources and practices around broadening participation in astronomy and astrophysics. This proceeding provides a brief introduction to the project and the participating collaborations. The structure of the MDN, based on community of practice theory, is described. Examples of the first outputs from the MDN and information on how to access resources and/or join are provided.

Using sound to represent data (data sonification) and exploiting the unique characteristics of sound and human hearing can provide a powerful means to enhance scientific discovery in large datasets, rapid real-time data analyses, high dimensional analyses, and to filter signals from noise. Data sonification can be used to expand, accelerate, and validate discovery for sighted, blind and visually-impaired researchers and provides capabilities to improve the quality of everyday life. We describe improvements to StarSound for 1D and multi-dimensional analyses, introduce VoxMagellan for 2D image, plot and graph analyses, discuss applications in astronomy and for low signal-to-noise ratio data, often present at the leading-edge of science. We find that data sonification can successfully push scientific research forward and expand research accessibility to the blind and visually-impaired community, while promoting STEM careers.

A national network connecting various kinds of activities of astronomy for inclusion in Japan is now growing and becoming more international after the establishment of the Universal Design Working Group (UDWG). The UDWG members developed multi-modal astronomy textbook and 3D-printer models for the visually impaired, and also held a series of symposia.

The Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Astronomy (IDEA) Chapter† of the Astronomical Society of Australia runs the Pleiades Awards‡, which recognise organisations that are taking active steps to create an inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment for staff and students. The IDEA Chapter was originally launched as the Chapter for Women in Astronomy in 2009, and the Pleiades - inspired by the UK Athena Swan program§ - were initially focused on actions to advance the careers of women. With the expansion of the Chapter’s remit in 2016, the Pleiades Award criteria similarly expanded to cover broader issues of gender and sexual identity, cultural background, disability, age, family/carer responsibilities, political affiliation and religious belief. Almost all astronomy departments and research centres in Australia apply for these biennial awards, which are given at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels to reflect the overall achievements of the applying organisation. Based on the applications submitted, it is clear that the Pleiades Award scheme is advancing the goals of inclusion, diversity and equity not only in astronomy, but in a wider academic environment in Australia.

For students with visual impairments (VI), the possibility of a future in astronomy, or any science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field, seems daunting. In order to bolster astronomy and STEM opportunities for high school students with VI (ages 14 – 20) in the United States, we developed the STEM Career Exploration Lab (CEL). Our STEM CEL methodology employs tactile astronomy instruction via 3D printing technologies and unique 3D-printed models, professionals with VI acting as role models, and partnerships with local STEM industries that provide insights into possible career paths. In partnership with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) and the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (MBSBP), to date we have held four week-long CELs (June 2017, June and July 2018, August 2019) and a 3D printer build workshop (September 2018), thus far serving about fifty students with VI. We gathered pre- and post-intervention data via student surveys, assessments of students astronomy knowledge, and video recordings of the CEL activities in order to study to what extent the CEL model can enhance the students attitudes towards, interests in, and capacities to participate in astronomy and STEM careers. Once fully tested and refined, we will make our 3D model files and activities freely available for further use and study. This work serves as a testbed for an expanded CEL program aimed at helping increase the representation of persons with VI in astronomy and STEM fields.

With over 50 years of active research in Nigeria, Astronomy is still faced with various challenges, in particular poor funding from government and the prevailing harsh economic condition. Despite these challenges, there is a recent growing interest of the younger generation in astronomy which comes mainly through astronomy outreach programme, biennial summer schools and annual conference of the astronomical society of Nigeria. Electric power supply has remained a long-lasting problem and contributes immensely, especially in rural communities, to the hindrance faced in areas of education like astronomy which can not progress without the use of computers for data visualisation and analysis. As a matter of fact, cultural astronomy already exist and is well recognised in these poor communities.

The amazing credit card size 5V DC battery-powered Raspberry Pi computers and Virtual Observatory(VO) will play a major role in doing modern astronomy in these communities despite these hindrances. We target the less privileged students in six rural secondary schools (located in 6 different states) by bringing to their doorsteps astronomy using low cost but effective tools. Various hands-on astronomy exercises were carried out with the VO tools. We discuss our experiences with the students and teachers with this pilot project which at the same time promotes not only astronomy but also Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We intend to expand the number of schools covered through grant from IAU and donations of the Raspberry Pi computers from astronomy enthusiasts and organisations.

The IDATA (Innovators Developing Accessible Tools for Astronomy) project aims to develop accessible software solutions that enable blind and visually impaired (BVI) individ- uals to engage with astronomical data. This work presents an overview of Afterglow Access, a software tool designed following universal design principles to enhance accessibility. We discuss the project’s development, its role in STEM+C education, and the broader implications for computational thinking and inclusive scientific engagement.

Gender imbalance in the sciences is a problem that affects society as a whole. Attracting more women to science is a matter of welcoming 50% of the intellectual capacity of humankind. As institutions, science museums have the mission of expanding society access to scientific knowledge and encouraging the excitement of discovery. Further, they must also engage diverse audiences and address the many facets of inclusion. Therefore, it is fundamental to reflect on gender issues and adapt the content of exhibits and activities to be inclusive. The Museum of Astronomy and Related Sciences (MAST) has long been aware of its potential to promote social change and empowerment. Since 2015, MAST promotes a series of actions to stimulate discussion, acknowledge the contribution of female researchers to progress as well as encourage girls to explore scientific career paths through astronomy activities. All initiatives are built on theoretical perspectives of social inclusion, gender in sciences and informal science education. This article will review the “Girls in the Museum” action and present its most important results.

Scientific research in astronomy has traditionally been concentrated around major observatories for centuries. However, the evolving global environment, including gradual climate change, population growth, and technological advancements, has challenged the ability of historical sites to maintain their original purpose of cutting-edge observations. Despite this, the persistent atmosphere of active scientific institutions, coupled with their existing infrastructure and culture, provides an ideal setting for contributing to contemporary societal challenges, particularly in promoting diversity and equity in scientific research and education. We illustrate a successful transition achieved at the Ondřejov observatory (Czech Republic) and highlight the fruitful synergies with modern scientific infrastructures.

Effective stakeholder engagement is essential to the success of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) views stakeholder engagement as a core function, promoting multi-directional communication with all stakeholders to enhance collaboration, trust, and mutual benefit. This paper outlines the guiding principles, strategies, and methods implemented to establish stakeholder engagement as a pivotal component of the SKA project. The framework ensures inclusivity and transparency while fostering youth development, community connectivity, and economic advancement.

When the world thinks of the Caribbean, the first things that come to mind are of vacations and wedding destinations. It is all about sun, sand and seas and very little about skies. Can astronomy have any role to play in the Caribbean? This paper summarizes the status of Astronomy in the English-speaking Caribbean region noting the opportunities and challenges.

Gender inequality in science is a widespread phenomenon which in the most obvious distinct ways men and women are treated differently. Astronomical spaces are naturally concerned with the technical, objective, and provable and rarely try to make sense of meanings around social justice concepts which include gender, equality and inclusiveness. These are thought to be not “scientific” nor to add any value to the science enterprise. Using a feminist qualitative approach, and drawn from my Master’s Thesis, my research employs a gender lens in exploring and mapping ways in which better science could be produced and current models enhanced through use of interdisciplinary methods, in particular, gender studies. I present the nuances around gendered dynamics, attitudes, ideologies, values and knowledge systems that exist within astronomy and astrophysics institutions paying specific attention to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). I reveal the implicit and explicit ways in which SAAO spaces and practices are gendered and hierarchized, and the extent to which ‘astronomy as a specific discipline within science’ remains highly masculinized, and subsequently exclusive to some whilst marginalising and excluding certain bodies within the space, at times in very symbolic and covert ways. By focusing on studies on power, feminist critiques of science and institutional culture in other South African sectors, especially higher education, the study deconstructs a field that has been relatively neglected in South African feminist studies of gendered institutional culture. My findings are transferable and could be applicable to other astronomical institutions.

Our research team had chances to visit with visually-impaired children in Osaka, Japan. Using the 3D map as the mold, a plaster replica of a section of the Earth or the Moon were prepared for each of the participants. Children shouted, “Interesting!” and all the participants enjoyed understanding the nature of the Earth and the Moon. Children can learn about other worlds through their fingertip trip regardless of eyesight.

Astronomy is a democratic and fair science. People feel curious and fascinated about the Universe, regardless their culture or abilities. Modern astronomical observation are also “impartial” with regards to sensory abilities, because they are made of numbers, representing the physical features of the observed object. Those numbers are often converted into visuals. Indeed, they could be converted into any attribute of any representation, such as sensory stimuli in multi-sensory representations, offering an effective common ground for inclusion and equity. In Italy, the working group for outreach and education of the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) is greatly concerned with designing and creating brand new inclusive outreach and educational practices with essential help of experts and disabled people. Besides significant efforts for the inclusion of physical and sensory impairments, we have also implemented important actions aimed at easing social and cultural inclusion. These activities need attentive design and step-by-step evaluation in order to prevent the unconscious introduction of barriers of any kind. We have started many fruitful partnerships, both with the capillary and vast national network of amateur astronomers and with educators and tutors for specific disabilities, with the aim of developing professional standards in the field of inclusion through astronomy.