Media, EDI, and Outreach

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.

During my PhD and undergraduate studies, I tackled some of these disparities. As an EDI PhD representative at Kapteyn Institute, I have been actively involved in fostering inclusive academic environments. I organized Women in Science events through Young Minds and the European Physical Society and established the Astro Club of CEG in India to guide students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, toward a career in astronomy.

I was also on a panel discussion about astronomy as a career for South Asian students. I am a big supporter of open science. My mentoring experiences include guiding a junior student on a successful graduate school application and closely supervising three female students in completing their bachelor's theses.

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.