ICTS

This two-day meeting will bring together women researchers and members of other underrepresented groups in astronomy and astrophysics in India for a blend of scientific exchange, dialogue on equity, and community building.

The first edition of WAVES in 2025 created a vibrant platform for women astrophysicists across career stages to present their scientific work, share experiences, and discuss persistent gender-related challenges in the field. Building on the encouraging response to that meeting, WAVES - 2026 aims to strengthen this platform further and broaden its scope as a recurring national forum at the intersection of science, equity, and representation.

Researchers in India are contributing to many frontiers of astrophysics today — from the Sun and stars to galaxies, galaxy clusters, accretion disks, cosmology, gravitational waves, and multi-messenger astronomy. Yet, persistent structural barriers continue to shape access to opportunities, visibility, mentoring, and recognition. This meeting is designed both as a platform to showcase cutting-edge astrophysical research and as a forum to address systemic challenges faced by women and other underrepresented groups in the field.

The program will feature invited and contributed talks across diverse areas of astrophysics, interwoven with equity-focused discussions, poster sessions, mentoring, and networking opportunities. We aim to bring together researchers across career stages.

With participation from approximately 50 on-site attendees and 50 online participants, WAVES - 2026 aims to provide visibility to younger researchers through posters and short talks, strengthen professional networks, and further establish WAVES as a recurring national platform for advancing both astrophysical research and equity in the community.

Eligibility Criteria : Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty members working in astronomy, astrophysics, and related areas are welcome to register. Researchers of all genders are welcome to participate, and both on-site and online participation options will be available.

Accommodation will be provided for outstation participants at the on-campus guest house, subject to availability. We regret that we will be unable to provide domestic travel support; however, airport or railway station pick-up and drop-off can be arranged.

WAVES - 2026 is committed to inclusivity and particularly encourages registrations and abstract submissions from women researchers and members of other underrepresented groups in the astrophysical sciences. Contributions may focus on scientific research, equity-related issues in the field, or a combination of both.