I am an astronomer and outreach coordinator at the IEA. Since 2015, I have been developing collaborative inclusive astronomy projects, taking on management roles in interdisciplinary networks like the “Astronomía Inclusiva” group, creating learning experiences accessible to people with disabilities, training students and teachers, and giving workshops and conferences in Chile and abroad. Since 2019, I have also been part of Inclusion and Gender working group of the Chilean Astronomy Society (SOCHIAS).
Current Position: Outreach Coordinator
Projects
At the IEA we have developed an outreach program that has been growing based on close interaction with the public, particularly through social networks, events such as “Noches de Telescopio”, talks and live broadcasts, and from requests received directly from artists and teachers, which has allowed us to develop 2 main lines of outreach; Astronomical Art and Inclusive Astronomy.
We actively participate in initiatives at the national level, such as the Day of Astronomy and Asteroid Day, and we collaborate with different national and international institutions to hold events, training, organizing conferences, and in projects related to our dissemination lines.
Funds obtained by Erika Labbe as Principal Investigator (PI):
2019 ALMA-ANID Developing Astronomy Tools for Blind and Visually Impaired Students: IDATA Chilean Node.
2020 – 2022: Fundación Gabriel y Mary Mustakis Astronomía accesible para estudiantes con discapacidad visual: Pilotaje y Capacitación Proyecto IDATA.
2021 – 2023: ALMA –ANID Generando una comunidad astronómica más inclusiva: discapacidad visual, auditiva y física. (SOCHIAS)
2024: ALMA –ANID Creación de libro de astronomía inclusiva con modelos táctiles.
Outreach related publications:
“Online Astronomy for BVI people” Revista Mexicana de Astronomía y Astrofísica Serie de Conferencias (RMxAC), 54, 43–46 (2022), 2nd Workshop on Astronomy Beyond the Common Senses for Accessibility and Inclusion. Labbé, E.
“The advantages of making science accesible” Proceedings of Science, 37th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2021). Labbé, E.
“Inclusive Eclipse: a sensorial experiencing along Chile” Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, Volume 367. Cambridge University Press, 2021, pp. 302-305. Education and Heritage in the Era of Big Data in Astronomy: The First Steps of the IAU 2020-2030 Strategic Plan. Troncoso-Iribarren, P.; Santander, C.; Díaz, J.; López, H.; Labbé, E.; Schacht, I.; Piña, C.; Morales Marín, C. A. L.; Drass, H.; Barr Domínguez, A.
“LightSound: The Sound of An Eclipse” CAPjournal, No. 28, November 2020. Allyson Bieryla; Sóley Hyman; Beatriz Garcia; Wanda Diaz-Merced; Paulina Troncoso Iribarren; Erika Labbe; Daniel Davis.
Extracurricular activities
I really enjoy traveling, painting, cooking, reading and listening to indie and k-pop music.