AfAS Early Career Science Committee Mission Statement
The mission of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) Early-Career Science Committee is to foster the professional development and promote the engagement of early-career scientists in the field of astronomy and related sciences across Africa. We are committed to cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers early-career researchers, including students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty, to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of astronomical knowledge and its applications.
Our primary goals are to facilitate networking and collaboration among early-career scientists, provide professional development opportunities, advocate for their needs, engage in outreach and education, and encourage scientific excellence in astronomy across Africa. By pursuing these goals, the AfAS Early-career Science Committee aims to contribute to the growth and advancement of astronomy in Africa, while nurturing a vibrant community of early-career scientists who will shape the future of astronomical research, education, and innovation across the continent.
Early career scientists include undergraduate and postgraduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty members within 7 years of completing their PhD, with the exception for those who had a career interruption due to (but not limited to) parental leave, illness, disability, community obligation, or national service.
Our specific responsibilities as the early science committee are:
-
- To identify and provide professional development opportunities such as proposal writing, science communication, scientific writing, training, networking, mental health awareness, etc. through workshops, conferences, schools, and mentorship programs.
- To identify and advocate for research-related and outreach-related projects and travels.
- To determine, assess, and advocate for the needs of early-career scientists.
- To act as a liaison between early-career scientists in Africa and the AfAS.
- To plan, apply for, and implement AfAS Early career events, including workshops, schools, conferences, outreach opportunities and more.
- To organize and coordinate the full processes related to opportunities such as funding, conference participation and student prizes/awards by working hand-in-hand with the science committee to decide on an unbiased selection criteria, review panelists, and any other related logistical factors.
- To encourage scientific engagement amongst early-career scientists and international collaboration.
- To cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers early-career researchers to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of astronomical knowledge and its applications.
Committee Members
Youssef Moulane – Chair
Keletso Dichaba – Co-Chair
Lerato Sebokolodi
Keegan Trehaeven
Benedicta Woode