Announcement

The symposium is coming up in just two short weeks and we're looking forward to seeing all of you in Melbourne!

Registrations have closed. The programme and list of delegates is now published here.

We are welcoming 170 delegates from 30 countries around the world, both in-person and virtually.

Please read everything carefully as we need you to check on a few things!

Programme of Presenters and Activities

You can now access the conference program here (and attached), which includes details for the School, Symposium, and other activities.

Virtual Attendance

To watch the livestream, go to this Zoom link.

Zoom: https://unimelb.zoom.us/j/2238688262?pwd=R0xFMU54SlVjYlA4dzN3Z29UOEN4Zz09

Password: 960497

Presentations (Talks & Videos)

If you are giving a presentation (talk or video), please upload your documents by 5 July at the latest. We must prepare everything and ensure it will run smoothly before the meeting.

Upload Talk Slides here.
Upload Video files here. Videos will be posted to our private YouTube channel (@OxfordXIII). No videos will be made public without your written consent (you will be asked to sign a form when you sign in). If you choose not to make them public, the videos will be removed from the channel.
We are NOT allowing people to use their own laptops for presentations. We are live-streaming. You MUST upload your presentation slides or video.
We are NOT allowing speakers to present live virtually. You must pre-record your talk as a video and submit it to us.
Talk slides and videos not presented to us by the start of the conference will be removed from the programme.

Video Format

All videos must be no more than 15 minutes in length. This allows transition time between speakers. Nothing over 20 minutes will be accepted.
Be sure the audio is of good quality so delegates can clearly hear you speak.
Some videos will be presented during 'normal' talk spots (those who were originally slated for talks), while others will be played on loop in the common area for people to watch during morning entry, tea breaks, and lunch.

Posters

We have plenty of space for posters. They will be hung on the glass walls with blue tac or using Velcro adhesive dots like this.

Your poster will be displayed on a specific day, shown in the programme.

Videography and Photography

We will have photographers taking photos throughout the meeting, and on two days we will have a video production team joining us.

This will later appear on media and news outlets.

Panel Discussion and Scavenger Hunt

On Weds, 9 July we will start the day with a panel discussion about the SKAO, then a combined General Meeting of ISAAC and IAU C5.

We will then spend the rest of the day in a scavenger hunt, sending groups around Melbourne for a day of space-themed fun and relaxation, visiting all the major sites around the city. It's also a time to meet peers and colleagues, share passions, and get outside for a day.

Grants

When you arrive and check in, you will sign a form and receive your travel grant.

Venues

The Cultural Astronomy School will be held in the Arts West building at the University of Melbourne (see map below). We will meet in the Discursive Space (Room 553 on Level 5).

The Symposium will be held at the Woodward Conference Centre on the 10th floor of the Law Building at the University of Melbourne.

Proceedings and Publications

Please provide your paper for publication in the following folder. It does not have to be formatted in Latex... you can submit it in MS Word.

For those presenting talks and videos, you may submit a paper up to 10 pages. For those presenting posters, the limit is 2 pages. Any papers that do not fit within the theme of the proceedings may be published in the Journal of Astronomy in Culture.

Catering

Delegates will be offered morning and afternoon teas breaks, during which time we will serve canapés, nibbles, coffee and tea:

Arrival Tea

Freshly brewed coffee and a selection of black and herbal teas available to guests, replenished at every break

Morning Tea

Spiced apple Danish pastry
Spinach and fetta quiche (v, gfr, ff)

Afternoon Tea

Lamington, Mocha Chantilly cream
Slow cooked beef, cheddar cheese and cracked black pepper pie, tomato relish

Free Extra Activities

We are sponsoring a few free evening activities. They are free but you MUST book tickets:

Fri, 4 July: Public Lecture on Pacific Star Knowledge with Prof Clive Ruggles
Sun, 6 July: Free Stargazing at the State Library of Victoria (front steps). No ticket necessary, just go have fun!
Tues, 7 July: Indigenous Space Futures panel discussion at the Melbourne Museum. SOLD OUT!

Paid Evening Activities

School Dinner: The Cultural Astronomy School will host a 2-course dinner at University House the evening of Weds, 2 July, with a possible keynote by Luritja Elder Vincent Forrester. The price is included in your School registration fee.

MAIN COURSE

Mediterranean roast chicken breast, mash potato, tomato, olive and feta salsa (gfr)
Bread rolls and butter
Vego option available for those with dietary restrictions.

DESSERT

Blueberry frangipane tart, lemon cured, Chantilly cream (v, gfr, n)

TEA & COFFEE

Coffee, tea, herbal infusions, chocolates and Jellies

School Planetarium: The school will also host a special educational planetarium session at Scienceworks in Spotswood on the afternoon of Weds, 3 July. The bus will pick everyone up outside the Woodward Centre and take us to and from the planetarium.

Reception: The Symposium is hosting a Reception at University House for those who registered. It will include hors d'oeuvres and a voucher for a free drink. You are welcome to purchase additional drinks on your own, using your lanyard to receive a discount.

Trio of chefs selected dips, Baby vegetable crudites, rice crackers (vegan, gfr, contains nuts)
Vegan antipasto platter, Shiitake mushroom pate, smoked tofu, marinated vegetables, olives, rice crackers (vegan, gfr, contains nuts)
Charcuterie platter, includes cured meats, pickled vegetables, cheddar cheese, grissini, water crackers (contains pork)
Victorian cheese selection, quince paste, dried and fresh fruit, crackers, fruit and nut lavosh (v, contains nuts)
Guests can redeem 1 drink token with the bar staff for a house beverage (including alcoholic drinks such as beer or wine).

Conference Dinner: The conference dinner will be held on the evening of Thurs, 10 July at the Woodward Centre. We will be privileged to hear a keynote from Joaquín Viluche, an Indigenous mathematics professor from the Autonomous Intercultural Indigenous University in Colombia.

ENTREE

Whipped Meredith dairy chevre pumpkin tartlet, roquette leaves, hazelnut and sage pesto (v, gfr, n)

MAIN COURSE (3 options, with options 1 and 2 rotated around table with option 3 for special considerations)

Miso glazed Baked Barramundi fillet, baby potatoes, ginger and carrot cream, sea succulents (gfr, df)
Gippsland Beef tenderloin, maple roasted pumpkin cream, Heirloom carrots, green herb sauce (gfr)
Vegan/Vegetarian guests - Cauliflower & potato gnocchi curry (aloo gobi), coconut yoghurt, crispy curry leaves, papadums (ve, gfr)

DESSERT

Soft pavlova, passionfruit cheesecake mousse, bush honey (v, gfr)

TEA & COFFEE

Selected gourmet teas, freshly brewed coffee and chocolates to conclude your meal

NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

Sparkling Mineral Water
Soft Drinks
Beverages

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

The bar will be open for guests to purchase their own drinks (use barcode on your name tag for Members discount). The symposium will not cover any alcoholic drinks or start any tabs. That cost is up to each delegate.

Planetarium: On Fri, 11 July we will depart from the Woodward Centre by bus to the Planetarium in Spotswood for a viewing of the film Voyager: The Never-Ending Journey. The bus back to campus will leave shortly after the planetarium show.

Unfortunately, Grazeland stopped allowing planetarium tickets to be used for free entry, but you are welcome to stay and have dinner there (entry is $4). Anyone staying at Grazeland for dinner will need to sort their own way back via public transport or Uber. Grazeland closes at 10 pm.

Weather in Melbourne

When you come to Melbourne you will need to dress appropriately. Australia is renowned for being hot and dry but remember that Melbourne is on the southeastern tip of Australia. Winters are cool, with a mixture of sun, cloud, rain, and shine with typical daily highs of 12-15 degrees C and overnight lows in the single digits (think London in October).

Due to our unique geographical location we often experience rapid changes in weather - what locals call experiencing "four seasons in a day".

Accommodation at University College

For those who booked accommodation at University College at the University of Melbourne, here is some important information to go through before you arrive. If you have any major issues, feel free to call me at (+61) 0414 447 396.

Check in is available from 2:00–10:00 pm each day.
Reception is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
If you arrive between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm, or on a weekend, you will need to call the Duty Phone on (+61) 0416 113 147 to check in (this number is to be used for urgent issues / emergencies only). The Resident Conference Assistant will assist.
If you arrive prior to 2:00 pm, you can store your luggage at Reception and hold it until 6pm or when you are able to check into your room.

Please watch the Welcome video that will give you an overview of everything you need to know about staying at UC: