The Australian National Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics

History

The Australian National Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (ANITA) was established subsequent to a February 2001 meeting of astrophysicists who gathered at Mount Stromlo Observatory to discuss the the mid-term report of the astronomy decadal review “Beyond 2000: The Way Forward.” Recognising a need for the voice of the Australian theoretical astrophysics community to be heard, the concept of ANITA was embraced.

The first ANITA workshop was held at Monash University in February 2002. This workshop brought together Australian theoretical astrophysicists and showcased the variety of research being conducted around the country. The initial ANITA Steering Committee was formed from those present at the end of the first meeting. The ANITA Charter and steering committee elections followed.

In 2006 ANITA became a Chapter of the Astronomical Society of Australia.

Steering Committee

The ANITA Steering Committee works to ensure that the needs of Australian theoretical astrophysics are represented at a national and international level. This is achieved by carrying out the functions and goals of ANITA as specified in the Charter.

The current Steering Committee is made up of:

• Chair
• Fiona Panther (UWA, through 2026)

• Members
• Greg Poole (ADACS/Swinburne, through 2025, Treasurer)
• Amanda Karakas (Monash, through 2025)
• Ilya Mandel (Monash, through 2025, past chair)
• Darren Croton (Swinburne, through 2026)
• Mark Krumholz (ANU, through 2026)
• Rysokuke Hirai (Monash, through 2026)

• Student representatives
• Sabrina Berger (U Melbourne & ANU)

The ANITA Charter

"The Australian National Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (ANITA) is an Australia-wide Institute consisting of members drawn from different Universities and other astronomical institutions. ANITA is a Chapter of the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA). ANITA is a cooperative organisation that is not the province of any one institution but which has a broadly based and fundamental role in the promotion of theoretical astrophysics ..."

• Read the ANITA Charter here

Meetings

One of the aims of ANITA is to facilitate theory meetings in Australia. To this end, ANITA sponsors a general national workshop and summer school each year, along with periodic workshops on topics of interest to the community.

Upcoming ANITA Sponsored Meetings

• 19th ANITA workshop and summer school (school topic: multi-physics computational hydrodynamics), ANU, Canberra, 27 January - 4 February, 2025

• All ANITA meetings

Lectures

ANITA supports the ongoing education of astronomy students, postdocs, and staff by occasionally hosting a series of monthly online lectures. These lectures cover a wide range of topics: from basic statistics and computational techniques, to advanced specialised subjects and more.

• All ANITA lectures

Membership

We encourage all astronomers to join ANITA and help shape theoretical astrophysics in Australia: how we develop and coordinate our expertise, our infrastructure, and our research. There is no cost to join, although current membership in the Astronomical Society of Australia is required.

As a member you will have a say in the future of our community. You will receive periodic email updates with information about planned meetings, funding opportunities, and recent publications, and be eligible to vote in the ANITA elections.

• Become a member here