Australian Academy of Science

Elizabeth and Frederick White Research Conference on

Kaba Kada: Exploring the first billion years of the Universe

At the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef

Oaks Port Douglas Resort

Queensland, Australia

22nd - 26th September, 2025

Rationale

In recent years, the field of astrophysics has made remarkable strides in our understanding of the universe's first billion years. The advent of powerful space telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), combined with cutting-edge ground-based observatories, has revolutionized our ability to study the early universe in unprecedented detail. These advancements have provided profound insights into the formation of the first galaxies, stars, and cosmic structures, opening new avenues for exploration.

This conference aims to convene leading experts from around the globe to delve into these groundbreaking discoveries and chart the future trajectory of research in the field. As we stand on the brink of the next generation of observational tools, including the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), this event represents a pivotal opportunity to integrate and advance our collective knowledge of the early cosmos.

Key topics

  1. Observing the cosmic reionization of hydrogen

  2. Galaxy evolution from the Cosmic Dawn

  3. Simulating the first billion years of the Universe

  4. Future developments and synergies

Image Credits: Andrei Mesinger, Yuichi Harikane, Melanie Kaasinen, Tomáš Šoltinský and Yi Mao

Location

Six years after ‘Barefoot Reionization,’ we invite you to return to the heart of Tropical North Queensland in Australia— Port Douglas — where the wonders of both the cosmos and nature converge.

From here, the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most breathtaking marine ecosystems, is easily accessible.

Just a short drive north, you’ll find the Daintree Rainforest, also known as Kaba Kada, meaning “the rainy place”, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.

The conference will be hosted at Oaks Port Douglas Resort. Buses will be arranged between Cairns Airport and the venue. We hope you enjoy the conference and take the opportunity to immerse yourself in these incredible landscapes, experiencing firsthand the natural and cultural treasures of this remarkable region.

Click on these images to explore a few recommended attractions in and around Port Douglas. Note that these images were generated by AI.

Invited Speakers

  • James Bolton

    Nottingham
    Lyman-alpha absorption and the intergalactic medium

  • Tiziana Di Matteo

    CMU
    Cosmological simulations of black holes

  • Karl Glazebrook

    Swinburne
    Massive quiescent galaxies

  • Adélie Gorce

    Paris-Saclay
    HERA & CMB

  • Yuichi Harikane

    Tokyo
    Observations of galaxies in the first billion years

  • Melanie Kaasinen

    ANU
    Molecular gas in the early Universe

  • Léon Koopmans

    Groningen
    Current status of the LOFAR and NenuFAR key science programmes on 21-cm cosmology

  • Yi Mao

    Tsinghua
    Machine learning applications in cosmology

  • Andrei Mesinger

    SNS-Pisa
    Simulations of the first billion years

  • Laura Pentericci

    INAF-Rome
    Production and escape of ionizing radiation during EoR

  • Tomáš Šoltinský

    INAF-Trieste
    Detectability of the 21-cm forest signal

  • Laura Sommovigo

    Flatiron
    Dust in high-redshift galaxies

  • Sarah Bosman

    awaiting confirmation

  • Frederick Davies

    awaiting confirmation

  • Valentina D'Odorico

    awaiting confirmation

  • Charlotte Mason

    awaiting confirmation

  • Raffaella Schneider

    awaiting confirmation

Important Dates

  • Feb 21, 2025:  abstract submission begins. 

    To apply for a talk or poster, or to attend with no presentation, please click the “submit an abstract” button and fill the form before the due date. The conference is expected to host ~75 participants.

  • Apr 14, 2025:  abstract submission closes and registration begins.

    All applicants will be notified of their results within 3 weeks after the submission closes. Presenters will be asked to confirm their participation and complete their formal registration for the conference.

  • May 26, 2025:  registration closes.

    Registration fees are 550 AUD (GST included) and include the welcome reception, all catered lunches, tea breaks, and the conference dinner.

  • June 2, 2025:  program releases.

    Participants are encouraged to finalize bookings of their accommodations, transportations and recreational activities at this point. The venue page contains some useful information.

  • Sep 21, 2025:  welcome reception.

  • Sep 22, 2025: program begins.

  • Sep 26, 2025: program closes after lunch.

Organizing Committee

SOC: Nichole Barry, Benedetta Ciardi, Xiaohui Fan, Madeline Marshall, Yuxiang Qin, Cathryn Trott and Stuart Wyithe

LOC: Sabrina Berger, Yuxiang Qin, Emanuele Maria Ventura and Stuart Wyithe

For any inquiries, please email conference.eor@gmail.com or members from the organizing committee.

We are grateful for sponsorship from the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian National University.