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Download the AAS 2015 Annual Report AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT A A S aas mission AND VISION statement The mission of the American Astronomical Society is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe. 1. The Society, through its publications, disseminates and archives the results of astronomical research. The Society also communicates and explains our understanding of the universe to the public. 2. The Society facilitates and strengthens the interactions among members through professional meetings and other means. The Society supports member divisions representing specialized research and astronomical interests. 3. The Society represents the goals of its community of members to the nation and the world. The Society also works with other scientific and educational societies to promote the advancement of science. 4. The Society, through its members, trains, mentors and supports the next generation of astronomers. The Society supports and promotes increased participation of historically underrepresented groups in astronomy. A 5. The Society assists its members to develop their skills in the fields of education and public outreach at all levels. The Society promotes broad interest in astronomy, which enhances science literacy and leads many to careers in science and engineering. A Cover: Voyager 2 snapped this image of Neptune 25 years ago, in August 1989, as it flew past the 8th planet. [NASA/JPL] S 2015 annual report - contents 4 president’s mesSAGE 6 executive officer’s mesSAGE 8 FINANCIAL REPORT 10 MEMBERSHIP 12 CHARITABLE DONORS 14 PUBLISHING 15 PUBLIC POLICY 16 AAS & DIVISION MEETINGS 18 DIVISIONS, COMMITTEES & WORKINGA GROUPS 19 MEDIA RELATIONS 20 EDUCATION & OUTREACH A22 PRIZE WINNERS 23 MEMBER DEATHS Established in 1899, the American Astronomical Society (AAS) is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The membership also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy. AAS photos © 2015 Joson Images S PRESIDENT’S messaGE: C. Megan Urry This past year showed in AAS Code of Ethics. In place since 2010, the Code outlined multiple ways how the standards and expectations for professional behavior but was American Astronomical vague in places and more importantly, lacked any process for Society helps its members dealing with violations. The Task Force on the AAS Code of thrive within the profession Ethics began its work in late 2015 and, after incorporating and how its mission has substantial community input, will finalize the revised Code evolved over the past in 2016. few decades. 2015 was a year of upheaval. Highly The AAS has long worked toward greater equity and visible incidents around inclusion, thanks in large part to its “diversity committees” race and gender generated — in chronological order, the Committee on the Status much discussion among of Women in Astronomy (CSWA), the Committee on the astronomers. The Black Lives Status of Minorities in Astronomy (CSMA), the Sexual- Matter movement reminded us of the risks faced by some orientation and Gender Minorities in Astronomy committee and not others. Sexual harassment scandals in astronomy (SGMA, newly promoted from the WGLE working group and other disciplines reminded us that women and men still in 2015), and the new Working Group on Accessibility and experience the professional sphere differently. A primary AAS Disability (WGAD), which came together at the end of 2015. goal is to ensure a professional workplace in which everyone Volunteer members set the committees’ agendas, bring thrives—but it’s difficult to thrive if you are worried about issues forward to Council, promote best practices, and help being discriminated against or worse. make astronomy a welcoming profession for all. They were instrumental in organizing the Inclusive Astronomy meeting The publicity around sexual harassment prompted some to in June 2015, which was supported by the AAS and attended ask, “What’s wrong with astronomy?” The answer is that by its leadership. This innovative meeting reminded us of there is actually a lot right with astronomy. That people are the many ways in which people can feel excluded, as well willing to come forward with their stories is a sign that they as of the intrinsic and often unacknowledged privilege of feel safe to do so. Under the AAS anti-harassment policy those in the majority. Unconscious prejudices are natural — [aas.org/policies/anti-harassment-policy] at meetings, the they generally arise out of upbringing rather than conscious number of complaints is slowly rising, reflecting a wider malice — but they must be overcome, starting with bringing awareness and a changing culture. Officers of the AAS them into the light. The AAS will not rest until LGBTIQA* [aas.org/posts/news/2016/07/executive-office] have worked astronomers, those with disabilities, first-in-family college- diligently to address harassment. educated or PhD-educated astronomers, people of color, veterans, women, religious minorities, or any other minority There is inevitably a tension between support of groups, and especially those with multiple intersections of complainants and due process for the respondent, and difference, feel as welcome in astronomy as everyone else. between transparency and confidentiality. The Astronomy Allies program, started by two AAS members and run In October 2015 we held the first ever summit meeting of independently of the AAS, supports people who experience the AAS diversity committees, in conjunction with the annual harassment at astronomy meetings. This support is AAS Executive Committee and Divisional meetings at the unconditional — the Allies’ role is not to investigate but AAS Executive Office in Washington, DC. The purpose was to make sure the complainant is able to cope. Meanwhile, to set priorities for the coming year and to explore how the the AAS hired an experienced Human Resources consultant committees and AAS Council can work together to achieve to investigate complaints filed under our anti-harassment them. For example, committee members discussed their policy (and eventually, they will fill the same role with respect wish to broaden the CSWA site-visit program to include to our revised Code of Ethics policy). The investigation is SGMA, CSMA, WGAD, as invited by departments. Participants confidential to the greatest extent possible, and outcomes thought the Summit was very useful so we plan to repeat the are communicated only to the parties involved. Collectively, exercise in 2016. Council liaisons are also vital to keeping the these parallel tracks provide unequivocal support for those committees and the Council moving forward cooperatively. who need it and at the same time a fair process for anyone accused, without prior assumptions. Issues of inclusion were not always seen as part of the professional sphere. But today’s AAS plays a key role in making Because the behavior of astronomers was a key issue in astronomy open and inclusive, ideally independent of any 2015, the AAS formed a task force to take a fresh look at the social category. Here are two examples from 2015. First, with 4 leadership from the CSMA, we issued a detailed statement on the use of the Graduate Record Exam in graduate admissions, pointing out the potentially discriminatory consequences of using a fixed cutoff score. Second, AAS meetings staff, in consultation with interested members of the community, have worked to make our meetings ever more accessible. We still have some distance to go yet, but it’s a good start. The Council formed a Rapid Response Task Force to think about whether we should have a fast channel for addressing problems of great interest to AAS members — for example, a social media response to breaking news. There was no clear answer. There is clearly interest in having the Society speak quickly and reassuringly in difficult conditions. Sometimes this seems possible to do, other times less so, particularly when the issue is complex. The Council did feel strongly that it should make official statements that are lasting and that help create change within astronomy, addressing current events as needed and as a beginning rather than an end. The Council revised the AAS bylaws to have gender-neutral language. A couple of decades ago, recognizing that women in astronomy did not feel represented by the pronoun “he,” the AAS had changed its bylaws to replace “he” with “he or she.” Today we recognize that gender is not a simple binary state but a continuum. Accordingly, we replaced the The Journals Task Force finished its report and began the work pronouns “he or she” with the plural “they” where needed, of actually changing how our journals operate, simplifying or with the noun in question (as in: “The President will do X the submission of manuscripts and streamlining many other when the President wishes”). processes, and enhancing content. This is a major project, with big budget implications for the Society. As a non-profit, In order to include more voices in AAS governance, the our goal is to provide the highest impact journals, at low President created an Early Career Advisory Board of member cost to scientists and libraries. We believe the innovations volunteers, consisting of students, postdocs, teachers, and proposed by the Journals Task Force will help keep AAS new graduates doing astronomy or working in other sectors. Journals in the lead of astrophysics publishing. The idea was for the President to have frequent conversations with some of our most active younger members about These are changes — some small, some large — that make issues of concern. It has proved a valuable channel for a difference in the professional lives of astronomers. As a communication and education (both ways). Also, the AAS self-organized, self-governed professional society, the AAS Council changed bylaws to allow junior members to serve welcomes those who want change and encourages them to on AAS committees. (This change will become permanent bring their issues and ideas to the relevant committee and to following additional steps in the process of changing the the Council.
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