Mike Simmons co-moderates panel at IAU CAP meeting

Astronomy for Equity founder Mike Simmons served as co-moderator, alongside Saeed Jafari (IAU OAE Iran), for a panel session titled “Communicating Astronomy in Southwest Asia: Challenges and Stories of Impact.”

The session featured a distinguished group of educators and communicators representing the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO), the Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE), and the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. Drawing on their expertise and experience across Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Bahrain, UAE and the wider region, the panel discussion focused on how astronomy can connect science with culture, history, and local communities, as well as impactful communication to make a lasting difference in rapidly changing nations.