Durbin

How the programme runs

The Durbin Manual

How Durbin is governed under the CASSA Constitution, including its volunteer model and safeguarding standards.

Purpose

A volunteer programme, by design

Durbin is CASSA's public astronomy-outreach programme: astrophotography, immersive science communication, school visits, and public Astronomy Nights. It was founded on 9 March 2023 by Dr. Lamiya Mowla.

The Constitution makes one principle binding: Durbin "shall always remain an outreach program conducted by volunteers under the supervision of the Directors of CASSA" (cl. 33.1). Changes to its funding or affiliation are managed by the Durbin Management Team in consultation with the Office of the Director.

Taking part

The volunteer model

Volunteers form fixed teams for each programme cycle, once a team is constituted, members are not transferred between teams. Across a cycle, teams:

  • develop lasting materials, text, imagery, audiovisual and immersive, from Durbin astrophotography;
  • operate telescopes at Durbin events and Astronomy Nights, and run remote imaging camps;
  • produce physical prints and visual-art installations of deep-sky imagery.

CASSA covers pre-authorized costs. Volunteers who complete a cycle receive a Letter of Experience, and winning teams at public exhibitions receive prizes.

Safeguarding · Appendix E

Everyone is safe at a Durbin event

All Durbin activity with minors is governed by the CASSA Safeguarding Policy (Constitution Appendix E), which takes a zero-tolerance-to-inaction stance on abuse and on sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. Safeguarding is overseen by a Central Safeguarding Focal Point (CSFP), currently the Research Affiliate Rafia Rokaiya Hossain, and a Project Safeguarding Focal Point (PSFP) for the programme.

Core rules at every Durbin and Astronomy Night activity:

  • at least two CASSA representatives are present at every evening or rooftop event;
  • no one is ever alone with a child in a closed or unlit space, activities run in pairs or groups;
  • photography of a minor requires prior written consent from the parent and the child;
  • all communication uses official CASSA/IUB channels;
  • anyone working with children is vetted (reference checks and a boundary interview).

Concerns can be raised with the PSFP or CSFP, or directly with the IUB Gender & Sexual Harassment Committee (safeplace@iub.edu.bd) or the Proctorial Committee (proctor@iub.edu.bd). The approach is survivor-centred, and severe cases are reported to IUB within 24 hours. The policy aligns with IUB policy and Bangladeshi law, including the Children Act 2013.

Funding & governance

Support, and the governing document

Durbin was seeded by the University of Toronto's Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics, and from May 2026 is supported by a British Council Bangladesh grant through Women of the World. Under the Constitution, Durbin is transitioned or wound down only on dissolution of the Center (cl. 28).