Policy Sessions at AAS 247

The upcoming AAS 247 in Phoenix will be packed with interesting sessions covering all aspects of astronomy, including policy topics. The AAS policy team is organizing two sessions in coordination with the Committee on Astronomy and Public Policy (CAPP) and the Committee for the Protection of Astronomy and the Space Environment (COMPASSE): 

Make Your Voice Heard as an Advocate for Science
Wednesday, 6 January, 10:00–11:30 am, Phoenix Convention Center 226 A 

As we confront an ever-evolving landscape of federal support for scientific research and community programs, it is important that we all speak up for science. During this special session, participants will receive a brief overview of the policy priorities for the astronomical sciences, a crash course on the federal funding (appropriations) process, and a forecast of developments that may occur over the next few months. The second half of the session will be interactive, with opportunities for participants to run through mock congressional meetings and get support from experienced advocates (including members of CAPP) in crafting messages to convey to their congressional offices.

Ethics of Outer Space: Developing an Interdisciplinary Framework
Tuesday, 5 January, 10:00–11:30 am, Phoenix Convention Center Room 226 A

Today both private companies and public agencies have aspirations to build permanent infrastructure in space, colonize other planets, extract resources from the Moon and asteroids, and put hundreds of thousands of satellites into Earth orbit. This session will be a panel devoted to discussing the ethical implications of decisions being made today and consider pathways forward to mitigate harm, bringing together thought partners from science, politics, economics, culture, religion, and environmental sustainability. Confirmed panelists include:

• Timiebi Aganaba, Assistant Professor of Space and Society at Arizona State University and an expert in environmental and space governance,
• Zack Donohew, a Scholar in Residence at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder and a leader in the domain of space sustainability,
• Mary-Jane (MJ) Rubenstein, Professor of Religion and Science in Society at Wesleyan University and the author of Astrotopia: The Dangerous Religion of the Corporate Space Race
• Alvin Harvey, an MIT-Boeing Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow and a citizen of the Navajo (Diné) Nation who is focused on Indigenous research methodologies and methods in aeronautics engineering.

Policy Plenary 

There will also be a policy-focused plenary session by Dr. Alexander Furnas, a Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Science of Science and Innovation in the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, a Faculty Associate at the Institute for Policy Research, and the Ryan Center on Complexity. 

Alexander Furnas, Partisan Disparities in the Use, Funding, and Production of Science 
Wednesday, 6 January, 11:40 am – 12:30 pm, Phoenix Convention Center West Building 301AB 

Other Policy Sessions 

In addition to the sessions above, there are a number of other policy-related events that you can look forward to attending during the conference. 

Sunday, 4 January 

Advocating for Responsible Lighting on your campus: The Campus SHINE Initiative
Workshop
Phoenix Convention Center 126 B, 1:00–5:30 pm 

Monday, 5 January 

NASA Update 
Attendee Event
Phoenix Convention Center West Building 301AB, 12:45–1:45 pm 

Beyond the Mid-Decadal: Community Inputs for Space Mission Concepts Toward Astro 2030 
Special Session 
Phoenix Convention Center 225 B, 2:00–3:30 pm 

The National Landscape of Undergraduate Astronomy Majors 
Special Session 
Phoenix Convention Center 226 B, 2:00–3:30 pm 

Astronomy in Arizona Open House 
Splinters 
Phoenix Convention Center 231 A/B/C, 6:00–8:30 pm 

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope 
Town Hall 
Phoenix Convention Center 224 A, 7:30–9:30 pm 

Tuesday, 6 January 

Disability and Accessibility in Education/Outreach 
iPoster 
Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Hall B/C/D, 9:00–10:00 am 

NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory 
Special Session 
Phoenix Convention Center Room 224 B, 10:00–11:30 am 

NSF Update 
Attendee Event 
Phoenix Convention Center West Building 301AB, 12:45–1:45 pm 

Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Satellite Constellations 
Special Session 
Phoenix Convention Center 226 C, 2:00–3:30 pm 

Disability and Accessibility in Education/Outreach 
Special Session 
Phoenix Convention Center 226 A, 2:00–3:30 pm 

Outreach and Education Engagement: Rubin, Roman, and Beyond 
Oral 
Phoenix Convention Center 221 B, 2:00–3:30 pm 

National Radio Astronomy Observatory Town Hall 
Town Hall
Phoenix Convention Center 301 C, 6:30–8:30 pm 

Wednesday, 7 January 

Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Satellite Constellations 
iPoster 
Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Hall B/C/D, 9:00–10:00 am 

Team Science, Trust, and Inclusive Pathways in Astronomy 
Oral 
Phoenix Convention Center 230, 10:00–11:30 am 

STScI Town Hall 
Town Hall 
Phoenix Convention Center 221 A, 12:45–1:45 pm 

NOIRLab Town Hall 
Town Hall 
Phoenix Convention Center 222 B, 12:45–1:45 pm 

The Schmidt Observatory System — More Astrophysics for More People 
Splinter
Phoenix Convention Center 227 A, 3:00–5:00 pm 

NSF NOIRLab Open House 
Splinter 
Phoenix Convention Center 124 A/B, 6:00–8:30 pm 
 
SGMA Meet & Greet 
Splinter 
Phoenix Convention Center 127 A/B/C, 7:00–8:30 pm 

Thursday, 8 January 

Lowering Barriers to Authentic Student Research in Astronomy 
iPoster 
Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Hall B/C/D, 9:00–10:00 am 

Methods and Infrastructure for Next-Generation Astronomical Discovery 
iPoster 
Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Hall B/C/D, 9:00–10:00 am 

Protecting Radio Astronomy 
iPoster 
Phoenix Convention Center Exhibit Hall B/C/D, 9:00–10:00 am 

Non-Federal Funding Mechanisms for Undergraduate Research Programs
Special Session 
Phoenix Convention Center 226 B, 10:00–11:30 am