Habitable Worlds Observatory UK Community Workshop
Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is NASA’s next flagship space astronomy mission, building on the heritage of the Hubble, Webb and Roman space telescopes. When launched around 2040, it will be the first telescope designed to search for life on planets orbiting other stars. It will also provide a platform for transformational astrophysics.
Following on from UK workshops at Space Park Leicester, Milton Keynes, and Royal Observatory Edinburgh, we are excited to host the fourth workshop at UCL. We welcome participants from all across the UK and warmly encourage international participation. The meeting aims to bring together scientists, engineers, and industry partners. The meeting will focus on UK and international participation in the HWO mission and highlight the latest mission updates. The meeting will feature presentations on HWO science and instrumentation. We especially encourage junior colleagues to attend and contribute presentations.
Important Dates
11 May: Abstract submission deadline
1 June: Conference registration deadline
24-25 June: Meeting dates
Confirmed invited speakers:
Breann Sitarski (HWO Deputy Principal Architect, NASA Goddard)
Paul Scowen (HWO UVI Instrument Scientist, NASA Goddard)
Feng Zhao (HWO Deputy Chief Technologist, NASA JPL)
Caroline Harper (Head of Space Science, UKSA)
Meeting organisers
Vincent Van Eylen (MSSL/UCL, chair, v.vaneylen@ucl.ac.uk)
Paola Pinilla (MSSL/UCL, co-chair, p.pinilla@ucl.ac.uk)
Saeeda Awan (MSSL/UCL)
Giorgio Savini (P&A/UCL)
Alan Smith (MSSL/UCL)
Kendall Sullivan (MSSL/UCL)
Hannah Wakeford (Bristol)
Richard Massey (Durham)
Beth Biller (Edinburgh)
Martin Barstow (Leicester)
Jo Barstow (Open University)
Jesper Skottfelt (Open University)
Paul Eccleston (RAL)
Dan Dicken (UKATC)
Christophe Dumas (UKATC)
Code of Conduct (adapted from the RAS)
We value the participation of everyone at this event and want all attendees to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Accordingly, all attendees are expected to show respect and courtesy to other attendees and staff and agree to the code of conduct upon registration and attendance.
This meeting will be a harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, nationality, religion. We do not tolerate harassment of attendees in any form.
Speakers give their time freely, many have travelled a considerable distance, some are very distinguished, some are early career scientists perhaps giving a presentation at this level for the first time, and all deserve a fair and encouraging hearing. Please try to be on time for the start of a session, or otherwise slip quietly into the lecture theatre, refrain from loud conversations outside the doors and switch off mobile phones, and if you must use a lap-top computer do so inconspicuously in one of the rear seats.
Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
All communication given by speakers, organisers and attendees should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual language, jokes and imagery is not appropriate for any event.
Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees.
Respect local staff.
Behave professionally. Remember that harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate.
Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Attendees violating these rules may be asked to leave the event, without a refund of any charge that may have been levied.
Thank you for helping make this a welcoming, respectful space for all.
If you experience or witness breaches of the code of conduct, please contact any member of the organising team (listed above). They can be recognised at the meeting through special nametags. You can also contact the lead organisers through email (v.vaneylen@ucl.ac.uk & p.pinilla@ucl.ac.uk).