Global Welcome
Nalayini Brito-Davies
DarkSky Board President

Keynote Speaker
Lynne Peeples
Author, Journalist, & Statistician

Opening Remarks
Ruskin Hartley
DarkSky Executive Director

Global Open Host
Roger Craig Smith
Voice Actor and DarkSky Advocate

Event Moderator
Chris Peterson
DarkSky Board President

The global opening of the conference will kick off with our host, Roger Craig Smith—voice actor extraordinaire and longtime DarkSky advocate. Roger will introduce opening remarks from DarkSky board president Nalayini Brito-Davies, who will share her insights on supporting DarkSky and leading New Zealand’s inspiring journey toward becoming a Dark Sky Nation. She will be followed by Ruskin Hartley, DarkSky’s CEO and executive director, who will speak to the future of our growing movement. The session will culminate with a special keynote address by award-winning science journalist Lynne Peeples.

Opening keynote:

Lynne Peeples, author of the New York Times bestselling book The Human Clock, will explore how dark skies are essential to our health and the profound ways that artificial light impacts the human body. Drawing on cutting-edge science and compelling storytelling, she will help us navigate this often-overlooked dimension of dark sky conservation— one that requires a nuanced understanding of the latest research. Lynne’s work illuminates the critical links between light, circadian rhythms, and well-being, offering insights that are sure to be eye-opening and inspiring. This is an essential conversation for anyone passionate about protecting both our night skies and our health.

Join this session:

This session will begin at 5:00 PM EST (10:00 PM UTC) on Friday, November 8. Use the time converter tool to see what time that is in your local area, or add it to your calendar using the link below. Convert time →