About ACURA

The Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy is an organization dedicated to the advancement of research and teaching in astronomy and astrophysics in Canada. It assists in coordinating large-scale national initiatives of its member institutions, advocates for the priorities in the Long Range Plan for Astronomy, and is a liaison between Canadian member universities and international partners in international and world observatories.

ACURA works closely with several other institutions in Canada, including:

• The Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA)

• NRC Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics

• The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

• Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

• The Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI)

These are over 500 members of the Canadian Astronomical Society in Canada (CASCA), including 450 of them in universities. The National Research Council of Canada has the parliamentary mandate “to operate and administer any astronomical observatories established or maintained by the Government of Canada”. These observatories are crucial for the pursuit of excellence by university astronomers. Their establishment and maintenance require the commitment of substantial national and international resources. ACURA is an organisation whereby Canadian universities can coordinate their efforts with those of NRC in the development of major infrastructures for astronomical research.

Coalition for Canadian Astronomy

ACURA is involved in the Coalition for Canadian Astronomy, a partnership consisting of CASCA, ACURA, and industrial representatives that advocates for the long-term health of astronomy in Canada. An important role of the Coalition is the promotion of the Astronomy Long Range Plan, currently LRP2020.

Governance

The Association’s general affairs are managed by a board that shall determine and act on all matters of policy. The Board meets at least twice annually. It consists of eight members of the ACURA Institutional Council elected by Council members for 3-year renewable terms.

The Executive Director of ACURA, the Chair of the Institutional Council, the President of the Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA), the General Manager of NRC Herzberg and the Chairs of Scientific Advisory Committees are all ex-officio, non-voting members of the Board.

Membership

Membership in ACURA is open to any Canadian university that is a degree-granting member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada having a commitment to astronomical research in astronomy. Each member institution has a member representative on the ACURA Institutional Council, which meets at least annually.

Our Community

While ACURA focuses on Canadian astronomy, we appreciate that astronomy is part of a broader community and that our choices have wider impacts. ACURA is committed to fostering respectful relationships and developing ongoing conversations with the Indigenous Peoples who have an ancestral and continuing connection to the lands that host our research activities.