Conferences provide an opportunity to learn of the very latest research being done in one's field, and to meet and question the people doing it, as well as to discuss one's own work and set up possible collaborations, while the more pedagogical atmosphere of summer schools can enable one to improve one's knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of one's field.
Posters advertising forthcoming conferences and summer schools are displayed throughout the Observatory, although word-of-mouth, especially from one's supervisors is often the best way to hear about them. As with most things these days, there is also a reasonably complete list on the Web, at http://cadcwww.dao.nrc.ca/meetings/. Conference and job information is available in the university corridor and class library.
Financial support for attending such meetings can be obtained from a number of sources. The organisers usually have some funding to offer themselves, but the amount is sometimes limited and given on a `first come, first served' basis, so early applications are essential. PPARC makes a flat rate contribution of £150 per annum per student to the Institute to cover some of the costs of conference attendance - in order for a meeting to be considered a conference, the student must be speaking or presenting a poster. In addition to this, PPARC will also support attendance of summer schools under their ``Fieldwork Expenses'' budget. Students may use this source of funding more than once, but must make sure that it is clear under what budget this funding is sought, so that there is no danger of the one conference funding being blown accidentally on a summer school. The funding for summer schools is discretionary, but is not likely to exceed half of the total cost. The Institute is also able to support attendance at meetings, subject to budgetary constraints.
The National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) has become an annual event in the UK. This takes place around Easter each year. The Institute encourages students to attend, and where possible costs will be covered by the Institute.