Building Africa’s future synchrotron community begins long before the first beam is produced. A growing network of training and mobility programmes is developing the skilled researchers, faculty and students who will one day operate and exploit an African light source.
The projects listed here are undertaken either as AfLS projects or by Partner Organisations that share membership with the AfLS Steering Committee and recognise their work as part of the AfLS Roadmap. The AfLS is a home for many stakeholders to participate in the project under their own branding, while sharing a common vision.
Add your programme
If you would like your project or programme to appear here, please contact Simon Connell of the AfLS Steering Committee.
PROGRAMMELAAAMP
Utilisation of Light Source and Crystallographic Sciences to Facilitate the Enhancement of Knowledge and Improve the Economic and Social Conditions in Targeted Regions of the World.
LAAAMP is an initiative in which ICSU partners with IUPAP and the IUCr to enhance Advanced Light Sources (AdLS) and crystallographic sciences in Africa, Mexico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
PROGRAMMEANSDAC
The African Neutron and Synchrotron Data Analysis Competency (ANSDAC) project aims to develop expertise amongst emerging Africa-based faculty researchers, enabling them to engage with and make use of large-scale international institutions such as neutron and synchrotron light sources.
PROGRAMMESTART
Synchrotron Techniques for African Research and Technology (START) promotes partnerships between scientists in Africa and the UK. Its work focuses on developing and characterising new energy materials, and on structural biology to understand diseases and develop drug targets. The AfLS attended the START launch event in March 2019.
PROGRAMMEASNAEM — Advanced Energy Materials
ASNAEM (Advanced Energy Materials) seeks to foster the development of skilled synchrotron users in the sub-Saharan region and to build lasting partnerships with the respective beneficiaries. The aim is that, when the first synchrotron facility is built in Africa, there will already be a diverse local skilled user community capable and ready to utilise the facility. The project is funded by the UK Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) initiative.
PROGRAMMESRRIC
The Synchrotron Research Roadmap Implementation Committee (SRRIC) of South Africa runs several programmes for training and mobility. It is supported by the South African National Research Foundation and includes a Scientific Associateship of the ESRF at the level of 0.3%.
INITIATIVEAfCA, IUCr and PCCr
This initiative works towards an African Crystallographic Association (AfCA). It is nested within the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), which runs the OpenLabs initiative — a programme of great importance for Africa. The association maintains an active community presence, serving as a repository of news, reviews and opportunities for crystallographers across the continent.