Recorded Talks

Astronomy on Tap Victoria

I was the inaugural speaker for Astronomy on Tap Victoria, sharing astronomy with the Victoria community.

Akshara speaking at the launch of Astronomy on Tap Victoria

Indigenous Star Gathering with Elder Wilfred Buck

At UVic on June 17–18, 2026, I volunteered and helped organise this gathering with Cree Elder and Knowledge Keeper Wilfred Buck. The program brought people together for fireside conversations, Indigenous sky stories and teachings, planetarium activities, and an observatory visit.

Participants at the Indigenous Star Gathering at UVic Participants gathered around a telescope at the Indigenous Star Gathering

Galactic Archaeology Podcast

Outreach talk about my journey to astronomy and my PhD work, made for students in South Asia.

Podcast cover

Panel for "Astronomy as a Career"

Astronomy offers a captivating entry into the mysteries of our Universe. However, the scientific community often lacks diversity, falling short in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and LGBTQ+ representation. Traditional outreach can inadvertently exclude minority and low-income communities, assuming prior knowledge and resources.

I was also on a panel discussion about astronomy as a career for South Asian students, discussing the ways and means to make astronomy accessible to anyone and everyone.

Panel discussion in Kuala Lumpur

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Every year since 2021, I have organised an event for International Day of Women and Girls in Science as the secretary and former treasurer of Young Minds Groningen, European Physical Society.

The event was publicized in a Gopher article and the event report was featured in the European Physical Society's newsletter, both written by me.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science poster

Scientific Movie Night

In 2022, I organised a scientific movie night where scientists discussed how to build your own Iron Man suit, followed by a screening of Iron Man with pizza and popcorn.

Scientific movie night flyer

Astro Club of CEG

As founder and president of the Astronomy Club at Anna University, I organised observing trips, telescope sessions, space TED talks, alumni talks, a Python course, and astronomy projects.

Astro Club of CEG Astro Club of CEG Astro Club of CEG

Zero Shadow Day 2019

During my undergraduate studies, I organised a Zero Shadow Day demonstration for school and college students at Anna University with SPACE India. The event was covered by The Hindu.

Zero Shadow Day media coverage

Other responsibilities

Among other things, I also act as a referee for scientific papers, and observing proposals. See other leadership and responsibilities highlighted in my CV

Conference dump

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