CASCA Honours 2026 Qilak recipients Samantha Lawler and Aaron Boley
This CASCA press release was made public on April 24th, 2026.
CASCA is pleased to announce Professor Samantha Lawler and Professor Aaron Boley as the 2026 recipients of the Qilak Award for astronomy communications, public education and outreach.
As all Canadian astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts know, the night sky is under threat from light and radio-spectrum pollution, and from the overcrowding of orbits by satellites. In the face of these pressures, it has become crucial to cultivate understanding among both the public and lawmakers about these threats to the practice of astronomy. This is the important task that Profs. Lawler and Boley have undertaken. On issues related to light pollution, the proliferation of satellites and their effects on the night sky, radio spectrum, and orbital environments, they have met with government officials and decision-makers, and they have relentlessly petitioned the Canadian Space Agency, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, Transport Canada, the Department of National Defence, and Global Affairs Canada, as well as the U.S. Federal Communication Commission, the UK Space Agency and the UK Civil Aviation Authority. They have also made numerous appearances in the media, produced educational material for schools and presented dozens of public lectures to raise public awareness about these important issues. CASCA is delighted to recognize Prof. Samantha Lawler and Prof. Aaron Boley for these outstanding contributions to the safeguarding of the night sky.
Congratulations Samantha and Aaron for your engagement in, and contributions to Astronomy education!
Learn More:
- CASCA Qilak Award for Astronomy Communications, Public Outreach and Education: https://www.rasc.ca/qilak-award-prix-qilak
- About Prof. Aaron Boley: Dr. Boley is Canada Research Chair in Planetary Astronomy and Associate Professor at the UBC Department of Physics and Astronomy. He is also co-director of The Outer Space Institute.
- About Prof. Samantha Lawler: Dr. Lawler got her PhD at the UBC Department of Physics & Astronomy, working under supervisor Dr. Brett Gladman. She is an Assistant Professor of Astronomy with Campion College and the Department of Physics at the University of Regina
- Read UBC article, "Megaconstellations of satellites will cause most light pollution at 50 degrees latitude"
- Read UBC Trek Magazine article, "It's not too late to save the night sky, but governments need to get serious about protecting it"
- See Aaron's articles on The Tyee: Aaron Boley | The Tyee