National Committee for Astronomy
The committee covers all research areas and methods in astronomy and astrophysics, including instrumentation, education, outreach, and industry applications, and plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction and long-term planning for Australian astronomy.
The National Committee for Astronomy aims to:
- provide strategic evidence-based advice on astronomical science to the Academy and other bodies as required
- support scientific literacy and excellence in astronomical science by engaging with researchers, professionals and relevant national organisations
- liaise with relevant international bodies, ensuring Australian involvement in international activities
- promote interdisciplinary collaboration and take a multi-disciplinary approach in providing advice to the Academy
- develop decadal plans and mid-term reviews for Australian astronomy
Reports and activities
Related groups and organisations
Members
- Chair: Professor Virginia Kilborn
- Swinburne University of Technology, Swinburne Inaugural Chief Scientist
- Research expertise: Radio astronomy, astrophysics and supercomputing, galaxy formation, Square Kilometre Array
- Deputy Chair: Professor Sarah Brough
- University of New South Wales, School of Physics
- Research expertise: Astronomical survey of the southern sky, Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), galaxies over time, massive galaxies.
- Observer: Professor Stas Shabala
- University of Tasmania, School of Natural Sciences
- Research expertise: Cosmology and extragalactic astronomy, high energy astrophysics and galactic cosmic rays
- Ex-Officio: Dr Douglas Bock
- CSIRO Space and Astronomy, Director of Space and Astronomy, Director of the Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF)
- Research expertise: ASKAP, Murchison Radio-Astronomy Observatory
- Ex-Officio: Professor Stuart Wyithe
- Australian National University, Director of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Research expertise: Cosmology and extragalactic astronomy
- Observer: Natalie Weddell
- Department of Industry Science and Resources, Australian SKA Coordination Committee chair
- Research expertise: International astronomy
- Ex-officio: Dr Sarah Pearce
- SKAO, Director of SKA Low Telescope
- Research expertise: telescope systems, managing and operating SKA precursor facilities
- Committee member: Professor Michele Trenti
- University of Melbourne, Professor in the School of Physics
- Research expertise: Formation and evolution of stars and galaxies, astrophysics, cosmology, theoretical modelling.
- Committee member: Dr Tayyaba Zafar
- Macquarie University, Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- Research expertise: Interstellar dust, gamma-rays, galaxies, star-formation, astrophysics.
- Ex-officio: Professor Richard McDermid
- Astronomical Society of Australia, President
- Research expertise: Interstellar dust, gamma-rays, galaxies, star-formation, astrophysics.
- Observer: Professor Cathryn Trott
- Curtin University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, AAL Board Chair
- Research expertise: Signal processing theory; signal estimation and detection; calibration of radio interferometers; Epoch of Reionisation estimation
- Committee member: Professor Karl Glazebrook
- Swinburne University, School of Science, Computing and Emerging Technologies
- Research expertise: Astronomical sciences
- Committee member: Dr Melissa Ness
- Australian National University, Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Research expertise: Milky Way formation: stellar spectroscopy, surveys, data-driven models, bulge, disk and halo
