As the largest UK Astronomy meeting, we aim to make this event welcoming and accessible for all participants. On this page you can find information about the accessibility of the buildings that will be used for NAM2025. If you have any further questions or need any further accommodations please contact nam2025@durham.ac.uk.
All buildings have lift access to all floors. There will be a quiet space available away from the main conference rooms, located in OCW (room 226) and clearly signposted. We ask you to avoid having extended conversations or zoom meetings here - there are booths available for this in the TLC. Speakers will use microphones and zoom links will be available for hybrid participation. English subtitles will be enabled on zoom.
Participants who feel unwell on the day are highly encouraged to attend and present remotely, for both their own welfare and that of other participants.
Session venues
A detailed map of the session venues can be found here. A schematic map of the area including local venues can be found here. There will be clear signposting and room labels, and volunteers at the helpdesk (near the entrance of the TLC) to assist at all times during the conference.
Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC)
The TLC is the main venue for sessions and the location for the Sunday reception, lunches, coffee breaks, and poster sessions. Information can be found here, with detailed accessibility information here. There are three disabled parking spaces at the rear of the building which can be used on a first come first served basis. There are further spaces across the road by OCW, or the shuttle bus can be taken from the college accommodation.
The TLC will have a quiet room (126) that can be used for purposes that require some privacy: taking care of small children (there will be a mini fridge for storage of food/milk), prayer, meditation. The fridge can also be used for medication which needs to be kept cool.
All rooms have step-free access. Rooms 101 and 106 have one raisable table each. Disabled toilets are available on each floor. The helpdesk is by the main entrance, and if you need any more assistance please don't hesitate to ask there.
Ogden Centre West (OCW)
The OCW is the main building for Astronomy at Durham University, and will be used for some sessions. It is directly across the road from the TLC, with a pedestrian crossing. Information can be found here, with detailed accessibility information here.
Accommodation
Colleges
John Snow and South Colleges are a short walk from the TLC. One route starting from the main road (here) can be found here.
A shuttle bus will run between the TLC and the colleges:
- From 08:00-09:15 and 18:00-19:15 Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
- From 08:00-09:15 and 16:15-17:15 on Tuesday, with an additional stop in the afternoon at the conference dinner transport pick-up point
- From 08:00-09:15 on Friday
This is primarily aimed at anyone with mobility restrictions, so please give priority to those that need it. If there is space anyone is welcome to use it. It will seat 34 passengers on each trip. The college stop is near John Snow College reception, at https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ps4QUgyHSZieYxqC9. The other stop will be outside TLC, at the side road https://maps.app.goo.gl/4Ub7TJdxrmJQEYKV8.
Conference Dinner
The dinner will be hosted at the Civic Centre in Newcastle. Transport will be provided - if you have specific requirements for this please note it on the participant registration form or get in touch. The transport will leave from the car park near Trevelyan College (https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAUSsrqdtC7hgEPT9) - someone from Durham LOC will be there. The shuttle bus will also stop there on Tuesday afternoon, in addition to the TLC and the colleges.
Childcare
The TLC will have a room set aside for taking care of small children, including a mini fridge for storage of food/milk. NAM will not provide supervised childcare for any age, but the Durham area has options. The following list contains recommendations from Durham University staff for places to start looking.
- Registered childminders: Option 1; Option 2
- Holiday courses at Durham Cathedrals Schools Foundation (booking opens May 23rd)
- Durham University Day Nursery (email day.nursery@durham.ac.uk)
- We also have some contacts for private babysitters (e.g., DBS checked Scouts/Guides) - if you would like to be put in contact with anyone for this, please email us.
RAS carers' grants
The Royal Astronomical Society recognises that many delegates who attend or who would like to attend the National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) have caring responsibilities, whether this is for children, elderly or disabled relatives or friends. As a result, they are sometimes prevented from attending the conference because there is no provision for the extra costs incurred in paying for the additional care needed while they are away.
The grant scheme, specifically for NAM 2025, aims to contribute towards these additional costs of care when attending events, meetings and conferences.
We appreciate that the arrangements that NAM 2025 delegates will put in place will be many and varied, and therefore we do not wish to place restrictions on how the grant will be used, except that it must be used towards the costs associated with additional care for the person or people that the delegate cares for.
Submitting an application
Any NAM 2025 delegate is eligible to apply for a grant, up to a maximum of £250. The total grant fund is limited and applications are considered on an ongoing basis as they are submitted. A decision on them will be made within two weeks of receiving them. Retrospective applications will not normally be accepted.
The deadline for applications is 17:00 BST on 4th July 2025. The application form can be found here and must be returned to awards@ras.ac.uk.
Payment
All recipients are requested to produce a short form following the event, confirming attendance and any benefit obtained from attendance. You may also wish to comment on the effectiveness of the fund in contributing to your additional costs.
The grant will normally be paid after you have attended the event and the report has been received. If you feel that you cannot attend without receiving payment beforehand, please contact the RAS Awards Officer via awards@ras.ac.uk.
