Whanganui Astronomical Society Presents: Professor Anna Scaife

We may not always notice it, but Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having an increasingly pervasive effect on our everyday lives: subtly altering the patterns of how we live, and how we work. The same is true for astronomy, where AI (and machine learning more generally) is now acknowledged as an essential tool for extracting useful scientific information from the vast volumes of data being recorded by current and up-coming telescopes. In this talk Professor Anna Scaife will describe some of the ways that AI has recently been used very effectively in astronomy, why we need to continue developing new AI methods, and how these changes can lower the barriers to more people becoming involved in research. 

Prof. Anna Scaife is a leading astrophysicist based at the University of Manchester, where she holds the position of Professor of Radio Astronomy and leads the Jodrell Bank Interferometry Centre of Excellence. 

Her research focuses on using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to analyse vast datasets in radio astronomy, particularly from projects like the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). She is deeply involved in developing computational methods to extract scientific insights from these data, with a special interest in addressing uncertainty and bias in AI applications for astrophysics. 

In addition to her technical contributions, Professor Scaife plays a key role in international collaborations, such as leading the computing design for the European SKA Regional Data Centre. She also spearheads initiatives aimed at fostering scientific talent, including training programmes for students from Southern Africa and Latin America. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition by the World Economic Forum as one of the top 30 scientists under 40 and prestigious awards like the Royal Astronomical Society’s Jackson-Gwilt Medal. 

View the event poster here: Astronomy Lecture

All welcome. Admission by koha/donation.

Please note, the usual entrance to the Davis Theatre from Watt Street, as seen in the adjacent map, is closed. Entrance to the talk will be via a side door on the opposite side of the building, accessed from the top carpark off Cameron Terrace, and signposted from Watt Street.

This event is hosted by Wanganui Astronomical Society. Contact Ross Skilton 027 245 8066