Australia is an integral part of the global scientific endeavour, contributing significantly to the astronomical community by carrying out a formal strategic planning process on a ten-year timeframe, reviewing its goals and progress at the mid-term mark.
This process is run by the Australian Academy of Science’s National Committee for Astronomy. It provides the opportunity for Australian astronomy to conduct a stock-take of its capabilities, assess its impact both nationally and internationally, provide a vision for the future and set priorities, and develop strategies on how that vision might be implemented.
This process enables us to establish clear priorities and develop robust strategies to achieve our goals.
By engaging in this thoughtful and forward-looking exercise, we aim to strengthen the position of Australian astronomy and ensure its continued contribution to our understanding of the Universe.
The decadal plan not only articulates a strategic vision for Australian astronomy but also sets a roadmap for addressing critical scientific questions and building the necessary infrastructure.
It thoroughly examines educational, training, and career pathways, reinforcing Australia’s research leadership globally. By directly engaging with governmental bodies, industrial, and research partners worldwide, the plan secures essential funding and fosters international collaboration.
The current decadal plan, initiated in 2016 and reviewed in 2020, will conclude in 2025 and will transition into the next decade's plan from 2026 to 2035, aligning with both governmental priorities and scientific advancements.
This future-looking plan aims to enhance the commercialisation of Australian astronomical technologies and encourage participation in global projects, furthering Australia's educational and diversity goals within STEM fields.
Reports provided by working groups will provide the basis for the Australian Astronomy Decadal Plan for 2026–35, to be drafted by an editorial board appointed by the National Committee for Astronomy (NCA).
The plan will seek to identify opportunities and prioritise requirements, with the goal of maximising the benefit to Australia from astronomical research over the coming decade.
The editorial board will compile the draft plan based primarily on the decadal plan working group reports, with further input from the working group chairs as appropriate. In drafting the decadal plan, the editorial board will be charged with joint consideration of the implications of outcomes and recommendations from all working groups.
It is currently envisaged that the editorial board will draft the plan in the context of the Big Questions in astronomy, which in the 2016–2025 decadal plan are:
Click here to view the working group chairs.
Click here to read the terms of reference.
Click here to read the guidelines.
For more information regarding this project, please contact Swastika Devi, National Committees for Science Officer.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
