H. In Conversation With
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Item Astronomy in Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2021) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Astronomy is one of the most challenging of all scientific endeavours, requiring technologies and skills that are usually beyond the reach of what is currently available. As such it is a field that pushes the boundaries of human capacity and moves us into new realms of discovery, technology and thought. In this talk Kevin Govender and Vanessa McBride reflect on Astronomy in Africa and explore how this continent has become a global player, if not leader, in this field, and what this means for how the world sees us. They touch on the exciting science being done in Africa; the incredible infrastructure both current and planned; the vibrant and growing network of African astronomers; and the opportunities presented by events like the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), which is to be held for the first time in Africa in 2024.Item Discovery in a time of pestilence - lessons from the future for exploration during the pandemic(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2021) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Prof Himla Soodyall in conversation with Prof Lee Berger. The global pandemic has left many areas of science in disarray. With international travel curtailed, laboratory spaces and field sites unsuitable due to transmission risks, many research projects have ceased, with scientists often adopting a “wait until we get back to normal” attitude. However, as we find ourselves nearly a year and a half into the pandemic, and as new variants of COVID-19 arise, it is becoming clear that science must adapt to this “new normal”. In this talk and discussion, Professor Berger explored his team’s experiences during COVID-19, how they prepared for the pandemic in advance, and how they invented solutions for working in a COVID-19 world. These novel approaches have not only allowed his teams to keep working during even the height of the pandemic, but have resulted in spectacular new discoveries related to human origins. He also explored what he perceives as the many potential opportunities that have arisen due to these global changes, many of which may have surprisingly long-term positive impact on scientists living and working outside of the global North.