The BAA is currently working on its 10-year strategy, through a number of working groups.
We are a relatively small organisation, and our future depends on continuing to attract and keep members. To do this we think it is very important to understand more about what you, our members, think about what the BAA does now, how well it does it, and how that should evolve in the future. We are particularly keen to hear about barriers to engagement in astronomy in general, and with the BAA in particular, and what actions we can undertake to help overcome or mitigate those barriers. That is the purpose of this anonymous, voluntary survey, which should only take 15 minutes to complete. All views are welcomed.
In thinking about this we need to keep in mind the BAA's charitable Objectives and activities:
- To promote the science of astronomy and all branches of astronomical research.
- To promote the associations of observers of all abilities, for mutual help, and their organisation in the work of astronomical observation.
- The circulation of current astronomical information.
- The encouragement of a popular interest in astronomy.
To deliver these objectives we think that it is also important for us to understand how the BAA fits within the overall astronomy community, and compares with other organisations.
With this in mind, we have decided to base this survey on one undertaken a couple of years ago by Dr Claudia Antolini, Osnat Katz, and Helen Usher (more details in this
BAA Journal article). This will allow us to make the wider comparisons. But we have included more questions which relate solely to the BAA and its strategy.
We are asking to collect it so that we can better understand BAA membership demographics.
We will hold your data securely and not share it with anyone else, unless we have to do so for legal purposes. We are not collecting any information like your name or address. Some of the data we will ask you for is called "sensitive personal data" – it won't personally identify you, but we will be taking extra steps to keep your data safe and secure.
You will not be asked for your name or contact details, and no questions are compulsory, but the more information you can provide the better will be our understanding.
If you decide you don’t want to take part, you can withdraw at any time by not submitting the survey and your personal data will not be stored.
No personal identification will be recorded by
this survey, other than where an email address is optionally provided for the
prize draw. Only aggregated results will be retained and the email addresses
for the prize draw will be deleted within two months.
As we cannot identify your data, once your survey has been submitted there is no way to remove it.
The survey will close at midnight on 30th September 2023.
