Societal benefits activities

 

Human capital development (HCD) is a key aspect of the BRICS Intelligent Telescope and Data Network project. An integral part of the new approach to science driven by big data, big compute and large international collaborations is to create and embed the science platforms within the research communities so that researchers may work collaboratively on these large, diverse multi-wavelength data sets. Such platforms are best developed through extensive, international programmes such as the one proposed here. It promotes sustained collaboration between partners from the BRICS countries, and prevents duplication of efforts in developing such platforms in individual countries, while concurrently cultivating the expertise that forms a core component of knowledge-based economies. There are also wider socioeconomic benefit implications, and these include building bridges with industry and across academic disciplines, engaging society and working towards preserving life on Earth. 

Key Pillars of Our Impact:

1. Connecting Science with Society

We believe in the power of open science and community engagement.

  • Showcasing Our Work: Developing outreach resources that highlight our facilities, scientific collaborations, and technological advancements, drawing on expertise from BRICS nations.
  • The Cascade Outreach Model: Promoting young scientists as role models, offering sustainable outreach and communication training (successfully implemented in South Africa).
  • Open Science & Citizen Engagement: Committed to open science principles, we use tools like the Open Universe Initiative to improve data accessibility and sharing, fostering citizen science projects and strengthening BRICS scientific partnerships.
  • Cultivating Scientific Temper: Adapting successful models from India to engage large audiences, fostering a “scientific temper” and bridging gaps between science and superstition.
  • Community Development Around Observatories: Implementing models for local community development around astronomical facilities, potentially creating jobs (astronomy tourism), offering educational programmes, developing local skills, and stimulating innovation.

2. Forging Strong Industry Alliances

The immense data and computational demands of our project naturally lead to fruitful collaborations between academia and industry.

  • Developing Transferable Tools & Skills: The infrastructure and software created for complex astronomical data analysis (e.g., real-time streamed data) have vast applications in fields like medicine (SDG 3), sentiment analysis, and beyond.
  • Driving Innovation & Partnerships: We actively seek opportunities to contribute our tools and expertise to industry and other disciplines, supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
  • Industry-Linked Training: Joint programmes, internships, and exchange initiatives provide valuable educational experiences (SDG 4).

3. Nurturing Future Innovators & Leaders

We are committed to empowering the next generation of scientists and technicians (SDG 4 – Quality Education). Our comprehensive Human Capital Development programme includes:

  • Postgraduate scholarships, research schools, data workshops, and hackathons.
  • Innovative Virtual Training Hubs: Addressing limitations in travel (due to factors like COVID-19 and carbon footprint concerns), these hubs will operate across multiple languages, time zones, and learning modes. This promotes climate action (SDG 13), supports industry and innovation (SDG 9), and encourages gender equality by retaining women in STEM (SDG 5).
  • Leadership Development for Early Career Researchers: Fostering scientific excellence, driving transformation (SDG 10), and strengthening the independence of the scientific community in the Global South through:
      • Communications and outreach training
      • Teaching and conference speaking opportunities
      • Stimulating media engagements

4. Protecting Our Planet

A vital application of our work contributes to the safety and preservation of life on Earth.

  • Asteroid Detection & Early Warning: By creating a high-cadence, whole-sky view, we significantly enhance our ability to catalogue near-Earth asteroids and identify potentially hazardous ones.
  • Minimising Catastrophe: Early warning systems provide crucial time to prepare, evacuate, or even deflect threats, thereby impacting all 17 SDGs.
Scroll to Top