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I’m excited about our new initiative to to strengthen collaboration between European and African astronomers.
I’ll explain the project in this thread:
I’ll explain the project in this thread:
The African continent has an immense astronomical heritage. Erathostene, born in present day Libya was the first one to measure the earth circumference.
Timbuktu was one of the world largest science centres.
Timbuktu was one of the world largest science centres.
Africa slowly lost its position in research. Now developing scientific research in Africa is one of the keys for the whole continent.
For decades, a few great scientists have been working on the development of astronomy in Africa.
For decades, a few great scientists have been working on the development of astronomy in Africa.
Astronomy is the oldest natural science, and is a great way to bring people into sciences.
Who never watched the stars or wondered about our place in the Universe?
Who never watched the stars or wondered about our place in the Universe?
In the time of fake news & self-proclaimed experts, the understanding of the scientific method is a key.
Astronomy can help this.
So, together with my colleague Mamadou N'DIaye, we build a consortium of 300 people to strengthen collaboration btwn European & African astronomers
Astronomy can help this.
So, together with my colleague Mamadou N'DIaye, we build a consortium of 300 people to strengthen collaboration btwn European & African astronomers
Astronomy is a great way to learn skills (computing, physics, working on large collaborative projects) applicable more widely to society.
This the the goal of our "Astronomy and Astrophysics Arising Across Africa" (5A) project, hopefully to be funded by the European commision, to get Europeans and Africans working together, making research more inclusive.
It will involve researchers from Belgium, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Italy, Senegal, South Africa and Spain, working together to strengthen research in Africa and promote Astronomy for development (following the amazing work of @Astro4Dev)
If funded, workshops will be organized across Africa, with public events to promote sciece, and especially women in science, education, outreach but also African cultural and astronomical heritage.
A map of the network
The project involve amazingly talented Africans, and women who will be role models to show that science careers can be for everyone:
Salma Sylla, the first ever Phd student in astronomy from Senegal
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02311-2
Salma Sylla, the first ever Phd student in astronomy from Senegal
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02311-2
Mirjana Povic, born in Serbia and paving way for women in astronomy across Africa: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07198-z
Patricia Whitelock, born in England, and an advocate of women in sciences in Africa for three decades: https://africanews.space/prof-patricia-whitelock-awarded-greatest-distinction-in-south-africa-for-achievements-in-physics/
Marie Korsaga, the first female astrophysicist in West Africa: https://www.ted.com/talks/marie_korsaga_au_dela_de_l_univers_visible (for the French speakers)
