The prevalence of astronomy-related sonification projects has increased dramatically in the past ten years, and there are now over 100 projects around the world dedicated to sonification of astronomical data. This collaborative, interactive, two-day in-person workshop will discuss the astronomical sonification community at large, shining a spotlight on blind and low vision community partnerships. The workshop will cover four broad topics of Science Research, Communications & Engagement, Education, and the Arts.

To attend: Please complete this application form by October 18, 2024:  

EventBrite Registration Form

Dates: October 28-29, 2024 (Monday/Tuesday)

Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm eastern

Location: Phillips Auditorium, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138. Map/directions

Science Organizing Committee: Allyson Bieryla (Harvard) & Dr. Kimberly Arcand (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory/Chandra), experts on sonification at the CfA, are hosting the workshop. 

Invited Speakers: Dr. Nic Bonne, Sarah Kane, Jess Stasik, Dr. Wanda Diaz Merced, Dr. Matt Russo

Fee: $50 per person to fund light lunch and refreshments each day* 

(*some waivers are available if the fee is a financial burden).

Format: This 2 day interactive, exploratory professional workshop is limited to 50 participants in person. Select invited talks will be open to the wider community via online streaming.   Other talks will include short lightning rounds. 

Please contact us at cxcpub@cfa.harvard.edu with accessibility needs, waiver requests or other questions.

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Note that we are also offering a free supplementary event the day before:

Participate in a LightSound Solar Eclipse Workshop 

When: October 27, 2024 10am-3pm

Where: Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian 60 Garden St. Cambridge, MA 02138

Cost: FREE!

Experience: None needed

Millions of people in the USA, Canada, and Mexico just experienced a total solar eclipse in April 2024. The LightSound Project built and distributed over 900 LightSound devices to communities to provide a tool for the blind and low-vision community to experience the eclipse through sound. There are several upcoming solar eclipses throughout Europe, Africa, Australia that require early planning to prepare. The LightSound team will run a workshop at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian to train participants how to build the device and the best practices for use. Participants do not need any previous skills to participate in the workshop. We hope to train LightSound ambassadors for your communities to help make solar eclipses more accessible to the blind and low-vision communities. We hope you’ll join us and please direct any questions to Allyson Bieryla - abieryla@cfa.harvard.edu.

Sign-up here (https://forms.gle/B4d7sA6PnznLBPKo9)!

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Travel Information to the Sonification Workshop: The nearest airport is Boston-Logan.

In addition to Uber / Lyft, there are public transport options around Cambridge. The easiest option to pay is by getting a CharlieTicket at a subway station. You can also pay in cash for buses.  Cambridge also has a popular bike rental system, Blue Bikes.

Accomodation: Some reccomended hotels in the area are included below. 

Sheraton Commander, 16 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Porter Square Hotel, 1924 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Hotel 1868, 1868 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

Freepoint Hotel Cambridge, a Tapestry Collection, 220 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138

This workshop is being hosted at and supported by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. 

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