Dr Adrian Tiplady obtained his PhD in radio astronomy, and since 2005 has played a leading role in Africa’s successful bid to co-host the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, and later establishment of the SKA Observatory inter-governmental organisation. He has an extremely diverse range of scientific, technical and strategic expertise – including the protection of radio astronomy from threats of radio interference, establishing a ‘social license to operate’ for research infrastructure, and international cooperation and policy development. He most recently chaired the South African Department of Science and Innovation’s expert task team to develop a National Open Science Policy.

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