Design, implementation and evaluation of transnational collaborative programmes in astronomy education and public outreach

This thesis presents a study of how science can most effectively be used to engage and educate the global public and specifically describes the role of astronomy in doing this. Astronomy has a special place in the field of science education and public engagement with science. It has great appeal for large sections of the public for several reasons. We shall use astronomy as a case study to consider the effect and impact of transnational collaborations with innovative approaches and centralised coordination in science education and public outreach. The thesis is based on eight years of designing, implementing and evaluating transnational collaborative programmes in astronomy education and public outreach, from the perspective of the practitioner. We shall also show that large global science EPO projects can result in sustainable outcomes that outlive the projects themselves and analyse the various aspects of global science communication project that are necessary for their success.History of Scienc

Space Awareness: Inspiring A New Generation of Space Explorers

History of Scienc

Communicating astronomy with the public: perspectives of an international community of practice

Communities of practice in science communication can make important contributions to public engagement with science but are under-researched. In this article, we look at the perspectives of a community of practice in astronomy communication regarding (relations with) their public(s). Most participants in this study consider that public(s) have several deficits and vulnerabilities. Moreover, practitioners have little to no contact with (and therefore make no use of) academic research on science communication. We argue that collaboration between science communication researchers and practitioners could benefit the science-public relationship and that communities of practice may be critical to that purpose. SFRH/BD/123276/2016Science Communication and Societ

System and method for determining spectral boundaries for sleep stage classification

The present disclosure pertains to a system (10) configured to determine spectral boundaries (216, 218) for sleep stage classification in a subject (12). The spectral boundaries may be customized and used for sleep stage classification in an individual subject. Spectral boundaries determined by the system that are customized for the subject may facilitate sleep stage classification with higher accuracy relative to classifications made based on static, fixed spectral boundaries that are not unique to the subject. In some implementations, the system comprises one or more of a sensor (16), a processor (20), electronic storage (22), a user interface (24), and/or other components

How astronomers perceive the societal impact of research: an exploratory study

We present an exploratory study of the perception of professional astronomers about the societal impact of astronomy. Ten semi-structured interviews with astronomers from a range of career and cultural backgrounds have been conducted to gain in-depth insight into their opinion about societal impact and their approach in realising it. The results show that the interviewees are aware of the diversity of impacts that astronomical research has. However, they are mostly active in out-reach and only a few activities are incorporated into their jobs to achieve an impact on development. There is little contact with stakeholders in industry, policy or other fields, like development. Besides, a structured approach in their personal out-reach is lacking, and assessment is only done informally. Despite the limited sample size of this study, the results indicate that a further change is necessary to engage professional astronomers with topics of development and societal impact to create action on the level of individual researchers.Science Communication and Societ