Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Phase 2

Lead Research Organisation: University of Leeds
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

We will conduct a training programme in radio astronomy in Africa that will help to drive economic growth. South Africa is hosting part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) - the major next generation radio telescope and the first big science project on the African continent. A network of up to 2000 dishes will eventually spread out across southern Africa to give the telescope its powerful resolution to see small structures in the sky. To this aim South Africa is partnering with eight other countries in Africa that will host these outstations. However, there is virtually no astronomy activity in these countries at present and so SKA-SA are building the African VLBI Network (AVN) as a precursor instrument and very useful addition to the world's radio astronomy networks in its own right. The AVN will consist of 30 m class radio dishes in each partner country, either converted from defunct telecommunications dishes or newly built ones. The UK team has experience in the conversion of old telecommunications dishes for radio astronomy purposes through its involvement in a similar project at the Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall.

The UK team, together with SA colleagues, will provide a basic training in the AVN countries so that the local people can use and help run the radio telescopes there. The STEM skills learnt as part of this training can be applied to a range of industries such as telecommunications, space science, land management and computing. Therefore the training will result in a pool of local talent who can help to drive economic growth in the AVN countries. An integral part of the training programme will be interaction with entrepreneurs who have experience of setting up businesses using related technologies. Advanced training will take the form of a number of MSc and PhD bursaries. The students will undertake research training using the interferometric radio telescopes and spend time in both the UK and SA to help forge strong research links. A virtual centre of excellence will be established that pulls the various strands of training, research and industry together.

Showcasing the radio astronomy facilities in these countries and demonstrating how the skills and technologies used in radio astronomy can be applied to many areas of industry and commerce can lead to a general upskilling of the population.

Planned Impact

Industries in the AVN countries that rely on having people with advanced STEM knowledge and with drive and ambition will benefit from this programme through having a pool of trained and motivated individuals. Overall this programme aims to provide a basic training for 240 young people across Africa and an advanced training to 13 students. As in any country not all of these will go on to become academics, the majority will go into industry and commerce taking their advanced knowledge and skills with them. Economic activity as a whole will benefit as some of these people start their own businesses inspired by the entrepreneurs they have met during the training programme. These could be in diverse fields such as telecommunications, space science, geodetic applications such as land management or climate change, or computing and big data challenges. Showcasing the hosting of major international scientific facilities such as the AVN and SKA on the African continent will raise the aspiration of the population as Africa demonstrates that it can take its place on the modern scientific stage in the 21st century.

Publications

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Andrianjafy J (2022) Image plane detection of FRB121102 with the MeerKAT radio telescope

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Andrianjafy J (2023) Image plane detection of FRB121102 with the MeerKAT radio telescope in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Andriantsaralaza M (2020) CO in the C1 globule of the Helix nebula with ALMA in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Baldi R (2021) LeMMINGs. III. The e-MERLIN Legacy Survey of the Palomar sample. Exploring the origin of nuclear radio emission in active and inactive galaxies through the [O III] -- radio connection

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Baldi R (2021) LeMMINGs III. The e-MERLIN legacy survey of the Palomar sample: Exploring the origin of nuclear radio emission in active and inactive galaxies through the [O iii] - Radio connection

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Baldi R (2021) LeMMINGs III. The e- MERLIN legacy survey of the Palomar sample: exploring the origin of nuclear radio emission in active and inactive galaxies through the [O iii ] - radio connection in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Bempong-Manful E (2020) A high-resolution view of the jets in 3C 465

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Bowler S (2017) Africa: radio astronomy for development in Astronomy & Geophysics

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Deane R (2024) The VLBA CANDELS GOODS-North Survey. I - Survey Design, Processing, Data Products, and Source Counts in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Dullo B (2023) LeMMINGs V. Nuclear activity and bulge properties: A detailed multi-component decomposition of e -MERLIN Palomar galaxies with HST in Astronomy & Astrophysics

 
Description The DARA project successfully recruited and trained students for the basic training programme from Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Madagascar and Mozambique. Astronomy has attracted young people with places on the basic training being over-subscribed by a factor of three. Basic training in astrophysics and radio astronomy was completed for 22 young people from Kenya, 22 from Zambia, 15 from Botswana, 10 from Namibia, 21 from Ghana, 39 from Madagascar and 40 from Mozambique. These trainees have also received training in astronomy for development. They have learnt about the related opportunities in space science such as geodesy, satellite communications and Earth observation. They have also received training in computing skills, particularly Linux and python from CHPC South Africa. The training took place in their home country and in South Africa or Ghana. It took the form of 8 weeks of intensive training spread over the course of a year delivered by experts from the UK and SA team. This training has provided key skills in areas such as radio technology and techniques, high level computing and data handling that these cohorts would not otherwise have been exposed to.

4 PhDs were funded in the UK for nationals of the African partner countries. One has taken up faculty position back in Zambia, two have research positions in the UK and one has a teaching position in a UK HEI. A clusters of 10 computers was installed in Madagascar. 3 Masters by Research students were funded in the UK for nationals of the African partner countries. On completion these progressed to PhD studies in Sweden, Australia and Kenya. 6 MPhil students were funded at the University of Mauritius or nationals of the African partner countries.
Exploitation Route Many of the trainees who have completed their training are going on to further study in radio astronomy and other related fields at Masters or PhDs. Some of these are winning bursaries for further study from SARAO in South Africa, and some have won other scholarships. Those who have returned to faculty positions in their home countries are now able to provide education in the high tech skills around radio astronomy at their own institutions for the first time. This pool of up-skilled people are well placed to assist with SKA radio astronomy projects in Africa and also in the related fields of the space sector and big data analytics. The increased computing skills will help the digitial transformation in Africa.
Sectors Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Education

Electronics

Other
 
Description This DARA project basic training has up-skilled 169 young people in seven DAC countries as a contribution to UN SDG 4.4 to "substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship". The advanced training programme has given 13 postgraduates research skills to aid UN SDG 9.5 to "enhance scientific research, increasing the number of research and development workers". DARA has helped build partnerships between the UK, SA and the partner countries at researcher, institution and higher levels as reported in ministerial meetings contributing to UN SGD 17.6 to "enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation." The link between basic science such as radio astronomy and the economic development of African countries is being made at Government levels as reported at the Ministerial meetings of the African partner countries with the South African DSI. Some 50 students who had undergone the DARA basic training have come forward with business ideas and requested advice from the DARA Business Consultant. Several of these are being advised to help them develop their business plans. Students who have been through our training programme are also spreading the message and encouraging STEM take up. The message that ODA funding is being used for basic science training in areas such as astronomy is also being spread by media interest in the project. In a traditionally male-dominated discipline the DARA project is careful to encourage gender equality at all levels. The Steering Committee that runs the project is 30% female and a similar proportion make up the trainers delivering the training in Africa. For the highly technical data reduction training delivered by younger postdoctoral staff the proportion is higher still. This is then reflected in the trainees recruited where 25% of the basic and advanced trainees were female. During selection of the advanced trainees positive action is exercised where possible.
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Other
Impact Types Societal

Economic

Policy & public services
 
Description DARA Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Phase 3
Amount £6,171,711 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/Y006100/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2024 
End 03/2027
 
Description Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy Phase 2 - Extension
Amount £453,741 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/T001798/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 11/2019 
End 03/2023
 
Description Institutional Sponsorship for Leeds
Amount £90,000 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/W507994/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2021 
End 03/2022
 
Description Leeds QR GCRF PhD Studentship on Politics of science, technology and innovation in Africa: The case of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project in Ghana
Amount £94,638 (GBP)
Organisation United Kingdom Research and Innovation 
Department Research England
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2018 
End 09/2021
 
Description Leeds QR GCRF PhD Studentship on UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF LARGE-SCALE RADIO ASTRONOMY PROJECTS ON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT WITH PHYSICS IN GHANA
Amount £89,502 (GBP)
Organisation United Kingdom Research and Innovation 
Department Research England
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2019 
End 03/2022
 
Description STFC GCRF Foundation
Amount £344,896 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/R002878/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2018 
End 12/2019
 
Description STFC Official Development Assistance (ODA) Institutional Award
Amount £130,000 (GBP)
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2018 
End 12/2018
 
Description UKRI GCRF IAA Award Business and Antenna Consultants
Amount £50,247 (GBP)
Organisation United Kingdom Research and Innovation 
Department Global Challenges Research Fund
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2018 
End 03/2019
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Eduardo Mondlane University
Country Mozambique 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute
Country Ghana 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Institute and Observatory of Geophysics of Antananarivo
Country Madagascar 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation North-West University
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Rhodes University
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Africa
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation Technical University of Kenya
Country Kenya 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation The Botswana International University of Science & Technology
Country Botswana 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Bristol
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Cape Town
Department Department of Astronomy
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Central Lancashire
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Hertfordshire
Department Centre for Astrophysics Research (CAR)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Mauritius
Country Mauritius 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Namibia
Country Namibia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Department of Physics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Pretoria
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of South Florida
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of Zambia
Country Zambia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description DARA 
Organisation University of the Western Cape
Country South Africa 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution This partnership has come together to deliver training in radio astronomy to countries in Africa that are part of the African VLBI Network and African partner countries with South Africa in the SKA project. Hoare leads the project and the project is managed from Leeds. Leeds organised the recruitment of PhD/MSc students for UK partners.
Collaborator Contribution Staff from collaborating institutions are delivering some of the training in Africa. All UK partners will be hosting PhD or MSc students from the participating African countries.
Impact The collaboration has delivered an up-skilled cohort of young people with knowledge of radio astronomy, research and computing skills and an awareness of how these could translate in to the commercial sector, especially in the space sector. Links have been made between the academic institutions and the space industry in the UK and SA. Well-equipped computer labs have been established in each country. English skills have been provided where required. Collaborations at individual university level are being made between the six UK university partners and the six host sites for the in-country astrophysics training in African partner institutions. The partners were all part of the original application and all feed in to the development of the project over time via meetings at the DARA annual network meeting and Steering Committee meetings. Each partner has a collaborative agreement with the University of Leeds governing the relationship.
Start Year 2015
 
Description 4th UN Space Generation Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact DARA sponsored the 4th UN Space Generation Workshop held in Accra, Ghana and virtually. The workshop event manager was a DARA UK PhD student and several of the organising team were former or current DARA trainees. DARA sponsored the travel of the African organising team to the event. Policymakers from the AU and EU were participants as well as representatives from all corners of the space industry. This raised the profile of DARA in the wider African space sector.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://spacegeneration.org/af-sgw2021-home
 
Description A Centenary of the Discovery of Astrophysical Jets - Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A DARA UK Advanced Student led the organisation of the international conference A Centenary of Astrophysical Jets: Observations, Theory & Future Prospects. The conference which brought together observers and theorists from around the globe reviewed progress over the past century and discussed the prospects for future research on jets at a time when major new astronomical facilities, such as SKA and JWST, are on the horizon. The conference was held in the Council Chamber of the newly-inaugurated Square Kilometre Array Organisation global headquarters at Jodrell Bank Observatory and attracted over 120 astronomers from more than 45 institutions across the globe. The abstracts, presentations, and posters will soon be published to make the proceedings widely available to the scientific community.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://indico.skatelescope.org/event/534/
 
Description Astro-Camping in Botswana 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The astro-camping night brought together students in STEM fields with village elders to learn about modern vs indigenous, cultural astronomy. Eight students attended the event on a hilltop at Paje River Camp. Discussions and stargazing were complemented by the screening of Cosmic Africa -- a movie featuring Prof. Thebe Medupe. This part has resulted in a quarterly collaboration between Botswana International University of Science and Technology 's (BIUST) Physics and Astronomy club.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Astronomy and Geophysics article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact An article on DARA was written for the Astronomy and Geophysics - house magazine for the Royal Astronomical Society.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://academic.oup.com/astrogeo/article/58/3/3.29/3861226
 
Description Business Daily Africa article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Former DARA student wrote an article for Business Daily Africa arguing the case for the defunct Earth Station at Longonot in Kenya to be redeveloped for radio astronomy and space industry.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/tech/Why-Kenya-should-not-abandon-the-Longonot-/425847...
 
Description DARA Twitter Feed 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Twiiter feed from the DARA project website
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://twitter.com/dara_project
 
Description Elimisha Msichana, Elimisha Jamii 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact DARA funded PhD student at University of Manchester Ann Njeri Ng'Endo created the Elimisha Msichana, Elimisha Jamii (Swahili for Educate a girl, Educate the entire community) project. She setup a scheme to mentor 14-19 year-old schoolgirls through their high school education, so-far this has reached over 800 schoolgirls, plus parents, teachers and local leaders in 10 schools in Kitale, Kenya.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Joint media statement on the outcomes of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) African Partner Countries 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact DARA was highlighted in the joint media statement on the outcomes of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) African Partner Countries.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.dst.gov.za/index.php/media-room/latest-news/2653-joint-media-statement-on-the-outcomes-o...
 
Description Kenya Outreach Project 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact In preparation for the upcoming one metre optical telescope observatory being built in Samburu County, DARA students from the Technical University of Kenya travelled for eight hours outside of Nairobi to visit four schools to introduce astronomy through fun and engaging activities, including talks on careers available in radio astronomy and a chance at observing using an optical telescope. In addition, the team interviewed members of Rendille, a Cushitic nomad community in northern Kenya, and a member of the Samburu tribes who outlined the communities' astronomical beliefs as part of ethno-astronomy data collection to aid in further outreach work in the local area.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description MadAstroMag in Madagascar 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact DARA trainees in Madagascar developed a magazine to circulate to local schools that provide information and orientation to high school learners so that they have ideas about their future career and academic goals and inform about the local Astronomy activities and the SKA/AVN project. Topics covered in the magazine included astronomy, physics, chemistry, engineering, geophysics and agronomy. 620 copies were delivered to 7 schools in Morondava, Madagascar, reaching 1900 high school pupils. During each school visit the project team presented the overall concept of the magazine, followed by a question and answer session with students.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Madagascar Outreach Project 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact DARA trainees in Madagascar went to the town of Arivonimamo, the site for Madagascar's potential radio observatory, and carried out five days of outreach to over 1000 young people, with 250 students taking part in four activities on each day that promoted astrophysics and radio astronomy in Madagascar.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Merseyside Astronomy Day 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Hoare presented a talk on DARA and African radio astronomy at the Merseyside Astronomy Day 2018.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description NatureJobs Blog - Isaac 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A DARA MSc student wrote about his experiences in NatureJobs blog.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2018/02/28/african-astronomy-and-how-one-student-broke-into-the-f...
 
Description NatureJobs Blog - Naomi 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Article by DARA PhD student in NatureJobs blog about her experiences as a DARA student.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2018/02/26/a-student-shaping-the-future-of-african-astronomy/
 
Description PRAGSAC in Ghana 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Former and current DARA trainees in Ghana gave an introduction to astronomy to 800 students in 7 different junior high schools in Accra to raise STEM awareness. Astronomy clubs were started in each school as well as workshops for the teachers and a visit to the Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://pragsac.org/
 
Description Pint of Science Talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Hoare presented a talk on DARA and African radio astronomy at a Pint of Science event in Leeds in April 2018. About 40 members of the general public were present and there was a good discussion afterwards.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Presidential launch of Ghana telescope 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact The President of Ghana inaugurated the newly converted radio antenna in Ghana. During his speech he announced a four-fold increase in spending on science in Ghana and explicitly made the link between space science and economic development. This was a major media event with coverage world wide. Prof Hoare attended on behalf of DARA.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://presidency.gov.gh/index.php/2017/08/24/president-akufo-addo-launches-ghana-radio-astronomy-ob...
 
Description SSPI Podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Podcast with the Director of Research at Space & Satellite Professionals, Lou Zacharilla on the occasion of DARA winning the SSPI Better Satellite World award in 2018. Interview with Prof Melvin Hoare (DARA PI), MR Ian Jones (CEO, Goonhilly Earth Sation Ltd) and DARA PhD students Naomi Frimpong and Saul Piri. Audience is mostly from the space and satellite industry.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Sayari in Kenya 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Eight DARA trainees undertook a development project to train guides from two game lodges based in the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. Two four-day long trainings were conducted concurrently at Governor's Camp Mara and Ashnil Mara Camp. Ten lodge guides were trained in basic optical astronomy, ethno-astronomy, light pollution awareness and telescope operation enabling them to educate tourists visiting the game parks and reserves. Each lodge was also provided with a telescope. The trained guides will also conduct outreach sessions within the local community to educate them about conservation and light pollution.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://sayarikenya.org/
 
Description Science in Parliament article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Hoare wrote an article on DARA for the Science in Parliament magazine Winter 2018 edition that is circulated to MPs in the UK.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.scienceinparliament.org.uk/
 
Description Space in Africa article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The DARA PI gave an interview on the project to Space in Africa - an online media source that produces authoritative business and market analysis reports for the African Space and Satellite Industry segments.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://africanews.space/prof-melvin-hoare-is-driving-development-in-africa-with-radio-astronomy/
 
Description Times Higher Education article 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact An article on the DARA project was written with input from Prof Hoare for the Times Higher Education newspaper.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/africa-calling-stars-sky-and-greater-good
 
Description Tour of Ghanaian Universities 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Prof Hoare and a DARA PhD student conducted a tour of 6 Ghanaian universities to advertise the work of the DARA project and publicise the opportunities for students in the area of radio astronomy and development in Ghana.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://ucc.edu.gh/news/students-asked-embrace-study-astronomy
 
Description Tour of Zambian Universities 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Prof Hoare (DARA PI), Saul Piri (Zambian DARA PhD student) and Steve Jones (DARA Business Consultant) visited four Zambian universities to advertise the opportunities within the DARA training project, radio astronomy and SKA, and space related business. Audiences of around 100 students in each location. Discussions with senior university management about astrophysics teaching and research were also had. Many questions and discussion were sparked.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description UK Space article on DARA SSPI award 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The award of the SSPI Better Satellite World award was covered by UK Space and numerous other space industry new outlets.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.ukspace.org/news-item/dara-project-wins-better-satellite-world-award
 
Description UN African Space Generation Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The DARA project funded six young people to attend the 5th UN- African Space Generation Workshop in Cape Town 26-27 Nov 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://spacegeneration.org/5th-af-sgw21-home
 
Description University of Leeds showcase 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A piece highlighting the work of DARA was selected to showcase the international work of the University of Leeds on their website.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://medium.com/university-of-leeds/a-space-science-project-in-africa-is-opening-up-new-horizons-...
 
Description University of Namibia web article 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact An article for the University of Namibia website on the basic training programme taking part there.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.unam.edu.na/news/building-capacity-in-radio-astronomy-in-namibia
 
Description Zambia Shooting Stars Outreach Project 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact DARA trainees at University of Zambia's set up the Shooting Stars outreach project and visited three secondary schools to raise awareness of radio astronomy, DARA and Zambia's part in the SKA. Their school visits were covered in the local radio and TV news outlets, with the lead of the project appeared on the local morning show. A radio astronomy public engagement event was also held in the town shopping centre where hard-to-reach members of the general public gained an understanding of radio astronomy's impact to the Zambian economy.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://www.facebook.com/UNZA.Shootingstars.DARAproject