What is Astrodiversity?
The CTAO would not be possible without the efforts of an international network of contributors from dozens of countries that work together to implement what will be the first open ground-based gamma-ray observatory and world’s largest and most sensitive gamma-ray detector. We are proud of our diversity and aim to be a reference for inclusion and respect in science, as well as to work internationally to achieve equity in our field. Diversity in our work is not only morally fair but also beneficial to the working environment, increasing creativity and providing different points of view that help to approach and solve problems. Based on this idea, the CTAO has created the Astrodiversity programme – an initiative to support and implement activities organised under the diversity and inclusion framework.
Activities and Initiatives
Colour blindness (or colour vision deficiency, CVD) refers to a reduced capacity or complete incapacity to distinguish colours and affects approximately one in 12 men and one in 200 women [1]. The most common type of CVD is the red-green colour blindness, which despite its name, does not only affect the visibility of red and green but the whole spectrum of colours, as red and green are part of every other colour to some extent.
Considering that the CTAO is an international observatory, whose work reaches the public worldwide, all CTAO members and partners are encouraged to keep the following best practices in selecting suitable patterns and colour palettes for the publication of scientific and outreach plots in papers, posters and presentations, as well as to provide inclusive descriptions. These guidelines are considered during the review of material by the CTAO Communications Office and the CTAO Consortium’s Speakers and Publications Office (SAPO).
The document is made available so that anybody can read, share and follow the guidelines to reach a more inclusive work space. If you have any comments or suggestions, send an email to Alba Fernández-Barral, CTAO Chief Communications Officer.
Download “CTAO’s Best Practices for Colour Blind Friendly Publications and Descriptions”
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As part of a broader global effort to address gender inequity and create role models, “Women of CTAO” showcases experts from a wide range of disciplines—including astrophysics, engineering, outreach and administration—who share their academic journeys, professional achievements, and personal experiences in science, as well as their contributions to the CTAO.
In 2022 and 2023, we launched a monthly series of articles featuring leading figures from underrepresented groups in science, whose work and actions have changed the scientific knowledge and helped create a more inclusive and open environment. Written by CTAO members, as well as external collaborators from partner institutions, each month we delved into the work and lives of these researchers through short articles published on the CTAO website. Read the articles on the dedicated webpage.
“AMANAR: Under the same sky” is an initiative to promote and support the scientific education and the development of scientific skills of children living in the Saharawi refugee camps in Tindouf (Algeria) through the observation and understanding of the Universe, as well as to encourage peace, common understanding and a sense of world citizenship under the same sky. Conceived by the international organization GalileoMobile and the Asociación Canaria de Amistad con el Pueblo Saharaui (ACAPS), the project combines outreach activities in Spain with the children in July and August as part of their summer in the Canary Islands with the “Holidays in Peace” program, as well as visits to the refugee camps by a group of scientists and experts. The CTAO is an active partner in this project since its conception, supporting the organisation of activities and the provision of educational material for the camp visits. The programme initiated in 2019, with activities on the Canary Islands and the Saharawi camps, and it is still active. In 2022, activities were carried out in other regions of Spain and further activities are expected in other countries. In 2020, and due to the COVID-19 restrictions, activities were carried out online in the special “e-AMANAR” programme.
Contact the CTAO Communications Office for more information or to collaborate.
