Answers to Questions About Joining the IAU

This post, originally published in September 2017, has been updated as of July 2019 to reflect the IAU's new policy of accepting new members every year rather than every three years.

Every year astronomers worldwide have the opportunity to join the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Before June 2019, the opportunity to apply for membership occurred only once every three years, specifically in the year prior to each triennial General Assembly (GA).

For context, I am involved with the IAU in several ways. First, I am part of the USNC-IAU (see below) and am chairing the group that will review IAU membership applications for those joining under the auspices of the United States. I am also part of the IAU’s Membership Committee, and I am also President of Division G, Stars and Stellar Physics, for the period 2018-2021.

It is important for professional astronomers in the US to join the American Astronomical Society, and it is also important to join the IAU. I have received many questions and comments about joining the IAU from colleagues. There seem to be "observatory legends" and "old astronomers’ tales" out there, and I wrote this to try to clarify matters.

Why should I join the IAU?
The IAU fosters international astronomy in ways that go beyond the activities of individuals, their institutions, or national organizations. Professional development occurs through the General Assemblies, the regional meetings held in developing areas, and the topical symposia sponsored every year. About a decade ago, the IAU also started an effort called the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), based in Cape Town, South Africa, aiming at using astronomy as a gateway science in developing countries. In addition, the IAU’s Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO), based in Tokyo, Japan, actively engages with the public, and the Office for Young Astronomers (OYA), based in Oslo, Norway, runs astronomy schools (ISYA) for young astronomers worldwide.

As an IAU member, you can participate and support the development and communication of astronomy. At the same time, as today's financial reality guides most astronomers toward large international collaborations, participating in IAU meetings enables international and interdisciplinary interactions and visibility, and supports and strengthens collaborations.

The IAU also depends on its individual members to volunteer in all these areas.

Do I need to be an IAU member to attend an IAU Symposium or General Assembly?
You do not.

I can afford membership fees for only one professional organization.
The IAU has no dues that are paid by the individual members; its funds come from the member countries, as for other international scientific bodies. By all means you should join the AAS (or the like), but that is independent of joining the IAU, which costs you nothing.

I've heard there is a cap on total US membership in the IAU.
NOT TRUE. We will accept all qualified applicants. Membership is not a competition.

What qualifications are needed?
Most members are expected to have a PhD and be at least three years past their PhD. But the IAU also accepts as members other professionals who have comparable expertise and/or experience. That can include software, outreach, engineering, and the like. Instead of listing publications on the online form, one lists comparable accomplishments.

For those not yet three years or more past their degree, there is the new category of Junior Member. Junior Membership lapses after six years if it is not converted into a regular membership.

Can I apply for membership this year?
As of June 2019, the IAU will admit new members, including Junior Members, every year.

When is the deadline for applying?
Generally in the late fall. Watch the USNC-IAU website for each year's announcement and application. We'll also announce the annual opportunity via the AAS website.

What if I’m not a US citizen or permanent resident?
Your IAU membership is associated with a specific member country. By all means, apply under the aegis of the US if you have a reasonable expectation of being in the US for the long term. If not, I suggest using your country of citizenship. I realize that some of us are nomadic, but I have no easy answer. You are expected to inform the IAU General Secretary if you change countries (and to keep your IAU directory entry up to date). For those applying for Junior Membership, anyone currently working in the US may apply under US auspices.

What if I am a US citizen working abroad?
As a basic rule, you should join as part of the country of which you are a permanent resident. If you are abroad temporarily and expect to return to the US, you can join under US auspices, but please note this in your application, and also see the answer to the previous question.

What do I need to know about the application form?
First, when applications are open, you will find links to the applications on the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine website's USNC-IAU page. Please note that these will be for US applicants only.

Second, a CV is requested (and recommended) but it is not required.

Third, you will be asked to name two existing IAU members, and you should choose people who know you. You can check to see if someone is an IAU member on the IAU site.

Fourth, you will be asked to select "keywords" that describe your interests. The introduction of keywords to describe the main research and professional interests of the applicant is new (previously the field was a free-text area). The IAU will now ask all the members to complete their personal profiles by indicating up to 10 keywords that describe their research interests. The keywords will be searchable fields in the IAU database and should become a useful tool to find specific expertise among the members.

Do I need to renew my membership?
No, you do not need to renew your membership if you are a regular member. You remain an IAU member for life unless you inform the General Secretary that you are withdrawing or the General Secretary is otherwise notified of your passing. Junior Memberships, however, have fixed terms of three years (renewable once).

What is the USNC-IAU?
Each member country of the IAU has an individual to represent that country at the GA in voting on organizational issues and the IAU budget. Larger countries also have national committees to coordinate membership and the like, and for the US that body is the US National Committee for the IAU (USNC-IAU). It is supported administratively by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and the members of the USNC-IAU include several groups: individuals elected under the auspices of the AAS; AAS officers serving ex officio; representatives from the AAS Board of Trustees; members from the US who are on the IAU Executive Committee; and representatives from the NAS. The members are listed in the annual AAS directory and on the AAS website.

Can I participate in IAU governance?
Yes, because the IAU relies largely on volunteers. In addition to the OAD, OAO, and OYA mentioned above, the IAU supports the nine scientific divisions, each of which has a president, vice-president, and steering committee. There are also commissions and working groups to fill specific needs, as proposed by IAU members. This is all described on the IAU website. Your participation is welcomed and desired.

Please send me any other questions you may have, and I will update this posting as needed. I also suggest looking at the Qualification for Membership and Application Procedure section of the IAU site. I look forward to seeing many of you at the 2021 General Assembly in Busan, South Korea!

David Soderblom, Astronomer
Space Telescope Science Institute
Baltimore, MD USA
[email protected], 410-338-4543