Matt Dodds is an Amateur Astronomer and the Education Officer for the Sydney University node of ASTRO 3D. He has a keen passion for Astronomy and Science Education and connecting people with the night sky. Having spent the better part of the last decade as a High School Science Teacher, Matt excels at inspiring students to follow their passions, ask questions and pursue their goals in Science related fields. Matt can often be found travelling around the country, sharing the eyepiece of his telescopes with school groups or the general public. He also presents various workshops to teacher and student groups such as the basics of spectroscopy, the scale of the solar system and how to build a telescope. One his long drives around Australia he loves listening to Astronomy podcasts such as "Space Nuts", "Cosmic Vertigo" and the "Exocast". He is on both Instagram and Twitter @ScienceWithMat.

Dr Sarah Caddy is an observational astronomer who loves anything to do with new and innovative telescopes that allow us to observe the skies in surprising and unexpected ways.

Sarah is from the Melbourne Space Laboratory where the team is developing new space telescope missions to monitor space debris, and flying the Australian SpIRIT space telescope. The little satellite recently celebrated 500 days in orbit, and spends its time taking pictures of the Australian landscape from space and hunting for high energy bursts of light from merging black holes and neutron stars.

Sarah and her team at Australian Astronomical Optics Macquarie operate the Huntsman Telescope where her work has taken an interesting twist from observing at night, to broad daylight which allows the team to monitor the skies for satellites. It seems like every day more and more satellites are launched which has started to create "traffic jams" in space. By trading stars for satellites, the Huntsman team hopes to help monitor the whereabouts of satellites to keep all astronauts and spacecraft safe.

Dr Rowina Nathan is an astrophysicist at the Australian National University who studies the Universe using gravitational waves—tiny ripples in space and time caused by energetic events like black hole collisions. Her research focuses on understanding extreme objects like black holes and neutron stars, and on testing Einstein’s theory of gravity in new ways.

Alongside her research, Rowina is passionate about science communication and shares videos about space and physics online as PinkAstrophysicist, helping make complex ideas more accessible and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

Professor Michael Ireland is the interim director for the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. He has diverse experience in astronomical instrumentation, stellar and planetary astrophysics since completing his PhD in 2006 from the University of Sydney. His current focus is on developing the technology that will enable the detection of life on other planets within our lifetime.

When Vanessa was a kid, the list of things she wanted to be when she grew up was endless. She was intensely curious about the world around her, and it was this curiosity that led her to a career in science. In her astronomy research, she has studied phenomena across the Universe, from the hidden structure of the Milky Way halo to dense gas casting shadows against distant black holes.

Now, Vanessa is a radio astronomer based at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, working at the boundaries between astronomy, telescope operations and data science. She has a keen interest in data visualisation, automation, science communication and technology. Vanessa is also passionate about making STEM organisations more inclusive and sustainable, leveraging the benefits of technology for improved collaboration and leads “The Future of Meetings” community to explore and champion new approaches for more effective distributed communication.

Dr Vanessa Moss is a Superstar of STEM.

Mark Iscaro, the AstroPuNk, is a dedicated volunteer in astronomy, supporting community outreach programs that bring the wonders of space to the public. With a punk ethos of rebellion, independence, and challenging the norm, he assists with stargazing events, educational initiatives, and public astronomy gatherings. His use of humour and creativity makes space exploration feel accessible, creating a relaxed atmosphere where people can learn about the cosmos without feeling intimidated. By embracing the DIY spirit, he encourages curiosity and participation, making the universe open to everyone, regardless of experience or background.

In addition to his volunteer work, Mark is an innovative astrophotographer, using mobile phone technology attached to telescopes to capture breathtaking images of distant galaxies and nebulae. His punk approach challenges the notion that advanced astronomy requires expensive gear, empowering others to explore the night sky with the tools they already have. Through his volunteer efforts and creative imaging, AstroPuNk is making astronomy more inclusive, fun, and engaging, all while staying true to the rebellious spirit of the punk movement.