What We Do

Jodrell Bank under a starry sky but with some light pollution showing in the background
Jodrell Bank under a starry but light polluted sky. Image: Mark McNeill

Dark Sky UK bridges the gap between public advocacy, community, policy, and professional lighting. We work to reduce light pollution, protect biodiversity, maintain safety and security of the public whilst ensuring dark, starry skies are accessible to everyone in the UK.

Here is what we do, what we have achieved, and where we are heading.

National Advocacy & Policy

  • Parliamentary Action: Regularly liaise with the APPG for Dark Skies, attend parliamentary committees, and work with MPs and councillors to drive policy change.
  • Policy Consultation: Directly advised the Green Party on the development of their national light pollution policies, helping shape progressive environmental frameworks.
  • Curriculum Reform: Advise on the OCR EDIB board and the Natural History GCSE review board to embed environmental and dark sky education in schools.

Industry & Professional Partnerships

  • Professional Advisory: Consult with major industry bodies, including CIBSE and the ILP, on light pollution mitigation.
  • Safe & Dark Lighting: Work with the police and Secured by Design to ensure security lighting keeps communities safe without harming the night sky or wildlife.
  • Knowledge Exchange: Host an annual light pollution conference in partnership with Newcastle University.

Grassroots Community Support

  • National Slack Community: Created and host the central online hub connecting UK light pollution activists, astronomers, policy makers and lighting professionals.
  • Public Advice Portal: Provide hands-on guidance and online free resources for individuals tackling light nuisance from neighbours, businesses, or local councils.
  • Dark Sky Designations: Support local communities navigating the application process for official Dark Sky status with Dark Sky International.
  • Dark Sky Discovery: Collaborating with the STFC to refresh, relaunch, and support the national Dark Sky Discovery programme.

Education, Outreach, Equity and Inclusion

  • Corporate & Brand Partnerships: Collaborated with Jeep to design the Jeep Avenger Stargazer concept vehicle—a mobile observatory equipped for responsible night-sky exploration—and co-created an accompanying educational guide and interactive stargazing resource for families. Explore the Jeep Stargazer campaign.
  • School Outreach: Deliver engaging dark sky educational sessions across nurseries, schools, and colleges.
  • Free Campaign Materials: Print and distribute free light pollution leaflets and information packs to local event hosts.
  • The Right to the Sky: Advocate for urban and disadvantaged communities to have equitable access to the stars, using the night sky as a natural gateway to science, technology, and the arts, while building valuable cultural capital.

Public Engagement & Media

  • We actively engage with national and international press to raise awareness, shift public perception, and inform policy across diverse audiences.
  • Television & Radio: Regular expert appearances on national TV by our Director, Professor Nick Dunn, alongside radio broadcasts by our Chair Roy Alexander, MAEd, addressing pressing light pollution issues, such as stadium lighting, public safety and health and commercial glare.
  • Press & Written Advocacy: Authoring articles and opinion pieces for local and national newspapers to champion the rights of urban and disadvantaged families to experience the stars, ensuring that dark sky access is recognized as a matter of social and environmental equity.

Global Impact & International Consultancy

  • Astrotourism & Infrastructure: Advise on major international astrotourism developments and observatory builds (past, present and future), including projects in Greece, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
  • European Coalitions: Active member of the European Light Pollution Coalition, collaborating on cross-border dark sky initiatives and policy.
  • Global Education: Consult on school-based environmental and dark sky educational projects in North Africa.
  • European Capitals of Culture: Partner with international bids, such as the Victoria 2031 (Gozo, Malta) European Capital of Culture application, to consult on formal Dark Sky designations and design sustainable, light-sensitive cultural and educational festivals.