Community Engagement Working Group

Introduction/vision/statement

The Community Engagement Working Group is comprised of graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty from the Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A) department and the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics (KICP). We are working to attain a diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment in our department for all current and incoming members. We also aim to build relationships with community members and organizations in the neighborhoods surrounding the University.

We have worked on different projects since the creation of this group following the petition for supporting black astronomers & physicists at the University of Chicago in Spring 2020. Below you can find some of these activities.

We always welcome new ideas and members. Please do not hesitate to contact us! Also feel free to drop in to any of our meetings; we meet every Tuesday at 10:30 am in ERC 517.

The Community Engagement working group does not speak for or represent the views of the A&A department, KICP, or the University.

Upcoming Public Events:

The 2025 Southside Astro Art Contest

We invite K-12 students living in the South Side of Chicago to submit space-themed artwork for a chance to win cash prizes!

The Southside Astronomy Program

Join us for a new series of public talks by professors in the University of Chicago Astronomy & Astrophysics department, followed by guided night-sky viewing with telescopes. This is an all-ages event and is open to the public.
January 16 at 6:30-8pm, Eckhardt Hall --Professor Rich Kron, “Our Home Galaxy, the Milky Way”
Check back here soon for more dates and information!

Picture an Astronomer

Public talks and Q&A all through February

Southside Astronomy Art Contest: "Our Home In The Universe"

The University of Chicago Astronomy & Astrophysics Department invites elementary, middle, and high school students in the South Side of Chicago to engage with the exciting new era in astronomy by creating original works of art. The foundation of this contest was supported by a PSD Inclusive Climate Grant.

CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON THE 2024-25 ART CONTEST: "Our Home In The Universe" Deadline February 28th, 2025

Read about our inaugural art contest, themed "Exploring the Universe"!

Past Events

Community Conversations

The Community Conversations series aims at bringing community organizations, thinkers, reporters, etc., to discuss key topics such as social inequalities, segregation or the history of the University of Chicago. This series was funded by a PSD Inclusive Climate Grant.

Oct 19, 2021 - Natalie Moore, WBEZ "South Side Segregation" | Flyer
Nov 9, 2021 - Jackie Serrato, South Side Weekly "A Brief History of Gentrification" | Flyer

Policing and safety conversations

Within the community engagement group we are working towards raising awareness of the impact UCPD and other police forces present at the University of Chicago have on prospective and present Black community members, promoting dialogue and providing a safe space in our department for these conversations to happen. Besides organizing these internal discussions, we have also attended a few listening sessions arranged by the University, in order to convey our ideas and thoughts to the UPCD leadership.

Outreach symposium

The first KICP/A&A Outreach Symposium took place in Oct. 2nd 2020. This event consisted of a series of (remote) presentations and open discussions designed to outline the current outreach efforts at A&A/KICP and foster new community engagement initiatives.

The first session collected efforts within the department;
While the second session invited community organizations working around Chicago.

Things to do in the south side

Within the group we also aim to support and highlight the history, culture and liveliness of the South Side of Chicago. Below you can find a list of places that we enjoy.