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 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.

Functions and Goals

The functions and goals of ANITA are the following:

1. Support the professional development of the theoretical astrophysics community within Australia

   Theoretical astrophysics groups throughout Australia benefit from interaction and the exchange of ideas and techniques. ANITA promotes communication, provides a positive environment for collaboration and provides a focus for the members of its community. Regular workshops in numerous locations (see 3, below) provide one way of bringing theoreticians together and discussing topics of joint interest.

   ANITA is proactive in supporting the careers of theoretical astrophysicists. At appropriate times ANITA will make representations to Universities and other institutions encouraging them to make strategic, permanent appointments in theoretical astrophysics. Another important related concern of ANITA is the establishment of career paths for students of theoretical astrophysics.

2. Promote the discipline of theoretical astrophysics

   Theoretical astrophysics has a number of broad and complementary roles. These include collaboration with observers in the interpretation and modelling of data, the establishment of physical and mathematical frameworks on which future observational strategies are based and participation in proposals for new observational and theoretical facilities. These activities are both national and international. It is a function of ANITA to promote and enhance such activities and ensure that the substantial intellectual contributions of Australian theoreticians are recognized and supported. This means significant ANITA input into reviews of Australian Astronomy, making the case that new proposals factor in support for theoreticians, and seeking representation on appropriate committees.

3. Linkage with the national and international astronomical community

   ANITA promotes interactions between theoreticians and observers via its web page, the organization of several short, scientifically-focused workshops each year and the utilisation of sophisticated video-conferencing technology as an aid to effective communication. These activities are intended to promote an enhanced scientific return from Australia's investment in observational infrastructure and scientific personnel. Lists of international visitors are published on the web and joint applications are made for visiting scientists from overseas.

4. Education

   Theoretical astrophysicists require a sound grounding in physics and mathematics as well as specialised undergraduate and graduate courses. Examples of how ANITA may contribute in this area include the organisation of the delivery of lecture courses via newly emerging communication technologies and organisation of a national summer school for students aspiring to either theoretical or observational research.

Organisation and Governance

1. Membership

   The general criterion for membership of ANITA is that membership is open to people who are generally committed to the development of theoretical astrophysics in Australia and specifically to the functions and goals described above. Apart from this general criterion, there are three classes of membership:

   1. Full Membership of ANITA is open to all active professional scientists;
   2. Associate Membership, which is open to retired scientists who maintain an active interest in the development of theoretical astrophysics in Australia; and
   3. Student Membership, which is open to students of astronomy and related areas at honours level and above.
   Only full members are entitled to vote in all ballots and elections of ANITA. Student members are entitled to vote for a student representative on the steering committee (see item 2(d) below).
2. Convenor and steering committee

   The ANITA steering committee consists of the following:
   

   1. a convenor;
   2. an immediate past convenor (when relevant);
   3. a broadly representative steering committee of six people, elected by the full members of ANITA;
   4. a student representative elected by the student members of ANITA;
   5. a secretary appointed from the steering committee (responsible for minutes of meetings, circulation of the minutes to the membership, and organisation of the elections);
   6. a treasurer appointed from the steering committee (responsible for managing the income and expenditure of ANITA and for providing an annual report of such activity to the membership).

   The convenor and steering committee are elected by the ANITA membership under the following arrangements:

   • The Convenor holds office for two years.
   • Steering committee members hold office for two years.
   • Three members of the steering committee are elected annually. (In the first year of operation of ANITA, three steering committee members will be appointed in December 31, 2003.)
   • There is no limit on the number of consecutive appointments of either convenor or steering committee members.
   • The immediate past convenor provides continuity of information relating to past decisions and actions on behalf of ANITA.
   • By 15 November of each year, the convenor calls for nominations for the position of convenor and the three to-be-vacated positions on the steering committee.
   • A ballot of the members is conducted by December 15 and the result is declared in time for the new convenor and steering committee to take up their appointments by January 1 of the following year.
   • Election of all office holders in ANITA is determined by the direct count of the number of votes obtained by each candidate for a given position.

3. Meetings of the steering committee

   The steering committee meets a minimum of three times per year. Its functions include decisions related to the above goals and other matters related to theoretical astrophysics that arise from time to time.

4. Authority

   Being a cooperative organisation, ANITA has no authority over its members, who are subject to the authority and regulations of their own institutions. Nevertheless, it is expected that members who accept various duties (e.g. work as a committee member, workshop organisation) will perform those duties diligently. It is also expected that members will support the goals of ANITA in a professional manner.

This charter is, for the time being, effectively the constitution of ANITA. Additions or amendments to this charter require agreement by a two-thirds majority of the membership. It is envisaged that in the medium term, ANITA will be incorporated and this charter will be replaced by a formal and more detailed constitution.