bawg meetings
The hosting of the annual BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) meetings and associated scientific workshops typically rotates among the member nations, aligning with the country that holds the overall BRICS Presidency for that year. This practice ensures that each member country has the opportunity to showcase its astronomical capabilities, foster collaborations, and lead discussions on strategic and operational matters within the BRICS astronomy community.
This rotation facilitates broader engagement and strengthens bilateral and multilateral ties in the field of astronomy across the BRICS nations.
1st BAWG - Brazil 2015
2nd BAWG - Russia 2016
The 2016 BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) Workshop was hosted by Russia at the Ural Federal University from 5-7 September 2016. The workshop theme for the 2016 workshop was Astronomical Data and Computation.
Link to 2016 BAWG meeting materials page: http://astro.brics.urfu.ru/en/astrodata2016/materials/
3rd BAWG - India 2017
India hosted the third BAWG meeting, coupled with a workshop on Astronomy Infrastructure and Instrumentation. The theme was influenced by the BRICS Science, Technology, and innovation work plan 2015-18 adopted on 28 October 2015 and modified on 8 October 2016 which among other initiatives suggested “Promotion of the coordination within large-scale research infrastructure to support initiatives leading to efficient use and development of mega-science projects. Relevant Working Group should elaborate appropriate mechanisms, such as BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network (BRICS GRAIN).”
The meeting on Astronomy Infrastructure and Instrumentation was held at the Inter-University of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pune, India from 21-23 September 2017. The workshop brought together astronomers from BRICS countries to report on the existing astronomy infrastructure and instruments with a view to further collaboration on future instrumentation as well as present and future mega projects. In addition, discussions on furthering human resource development in astronomy through the involvement of universities were held.
Schedule Summary for September 2017:
- 21 September 2017: Day One – BRICS Astronomy working group workshop on Instrumentation and Infrastructure
- 22 September 2017: Day Two – BRICS Astronomy working group workshop on Instrumentation and Infrastructure
- 23 September 2017: BRICS Astronomy working group meeting
4th BAWG - South Africa 2018
India hosted the third BAWG meeting, coupled with a workshop on Astronomy Infrastructure and Instrumentation. The theme was influenced by the BRICS Science, Technology, and innovation work plan 2015-18 adopted on 28 October 2015 and modified on 8 October 2016 which among other initiatives suggested “Promotion of the coordination within large-scale research infrastructure to support initiatives leading to efficient use and development of mega-science projects. Relevant Working Group should elaborate appropriate mechanisms, such as BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network (BRICS GRAIN).”
The meeting on Astronomy Infrastructure and Instrumentation was held at the Inter-University of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pune, India from 21-23 September 2017. The workshop brought together astronomers from BRICS countries to report on the existing astronomy infrastructure and instruments with a view to further collaboration on future instrumentation as well as present and future mega projects. In addition, discussions on furthering human resource development in astronomy through the involvement of universities were held.
Schedule Summary for September 2017:
- 21 September 2017: Day One – BRICS Astronomy working group workshop on Instrumentation and Infrastructure
- 22 September 2017: Day Two – BRICS Astronomy working group workshop on Instrumentation and Infrastructure
- 23 September 2017: BRICS Astronomy working group meeting
5th BAWG - Brazil 2019
The 2019 BRICS Astronomy workshop and working group (BAWG) meetings was hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro from September 29 to October 2 2019. The 2019 workshop was Multi-messenger and Multi-wavelength Astronomy.
Link to 2019 BAWG meeting materials page: http://lnapadrao.lna.br/eventos/brics-astronomy-working-group-2019
6th BAWG - Russia 2020
7th BAWG - India 2021
Under the Science, Technology, and Innovation track of BRICS 2021, India hosted the seventh meeting of BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as well as astronomers from these countries in virtual format on 19-20 May 2021. Delegates from BRICS nations highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration among astronomers from the countries at the seventh meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group Meeting.
The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, and Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India chaired the meeting. It witnessed participation of all five BRICS countries with more than 50 participants, including researchers, academicians, and government officials.
8th BAWG - China 2022
9th BAWG - South African 2023
The 9th Annual BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) Workshop took place at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town, hosted by the Inter-University Institute for Data-Intensive Astronomy (IDIA). The theme for this significant event, held on 16 – 19 October 2023, was “Survey Science and Big Data.” Supported by the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the workshop brought together esteemed representatives from the governments and scientific institutions of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, including astronomers and students from these nations.
The event commenced with a reception dinner, during which participants were treated to the enchanting sounds of the iThemba Youth Choir. Hailing from Khayelitsha, a township in the City of Cape Town, this group of individuals brimming with talent and heartfelt passion delivered captivating musical and dance performances, offering a splendid showcase of the richness, diversity, and vibrancy of African culture and its people.
10th BAWG - Russia 2024
The 10th BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) Workshop and Meeting was hosted in hybrid format by Kazan Federal University, supported by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education on 9 – 13 September 2024 This meeting marked a significant milestone as the BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) celebrated its tenth meeting and, for the first time, welcomed the new BRICS members, who joined in-person and online.
The theme of the meeting was the BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network (BITDN). During the first 3 days of the science meeting, representatives presented talks on a variety of topics in line with the sub-themes which are; Small bodies of the Solar system as transient objects, Transients in astrophysics, Astronomical data, Pipelines for astronomical data in multichannel observations, Science platform for global data network and Astronomical Instrumentation.
11th BAWG - Brazil 2025
The 11th Meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group will take place from 13 to 15 October 2025 at the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) in São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in an in-person format. The possibility of participation in an online format will also be considered for those registered participants who cannot attend the event in person.
This event is organized by The National Laboratory for Astrophysics (LNA), The Brazilian Center for Research in Physics (CBPF), The Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo (IFSP), and The National Institute for Space Research (INPE). In 2025, the scientific theme will be “Multi-messenger and Multi-wavelength Transients,” bringing together the entire astronomy community—including researchers, outreach professionals, educators, development practitioners, and policymakers—to share the latest results and best practices.
