South African astronomer Vanessa McBride has taken on the challenge of encouraging scientists globally to work across disciplines, and geopolitical and other boundaries, to find solutions to the big issues made worse by inequality.
This is changing the way they do science and communicate its impact, says McBride, 45, science director of the International Science Council (ISC).
She took up her new position with the ISC in Paris in November, leaving her husband and children (aged 10 and 13) in Cape Town to complete the school year before joining her.
“It’s been quite a learning curve, as you would expect,” she tells the FM. “I’ve come from an environment that I knew quite well, working mostly in astronomy and in science for development, but now into an environment where we’re bringing together so many different sciences, social sciences, natural sciences, sustainability issues.
“I do love learning stuff and so it also feels like I’m opening the doors to so many new and exciting things. One of the real pleasures is that you get to interact with top scientists in so many different fields. Being part of those conversations and hearing the … wisdom and insights they provide is enriching.”
McBride’s role includes shaping the ISC’s scientific priorities and nurturing scientific collaborations and partnerships.
“There is a big divide between the global north and the global south when it comes to science, and having worked in South Africa for the past 10 to 15 years, I’m really passionate about bringing the voice of African scientists into the conversation,” she says.
“The world has a lot to learn from the richness, and that comes in the diversity of ways of doing science and ways of constructing societies. It’s important that we learn from each other as best we can.”
She says it’s been tough having two winters back to back. “But, of course, Paris is fabulous any time of year. The days are getting a bit longer, so I’m excited.”
McBride grew up in Cradock, where she matriculated at the local high school, “a fantastic, supportive environment” that prepared her well for her studies.
Becoming an astronomer stemmed from a fascination with the universe and philosophical questions about “why we are here and how we got here and what else is out there”, she says.
I’m really passionate about bringing the voice of African scientists into the conversation
— Vanessa McBride
“Of course, this was magnified quite a bit by the environment — being in the Karoo with those beautiful winter night skies when you can see the whole Milky Way moving over you. It was inspiring from both an aesthetic and a philosophical point of view.”
She obtained her BSc and master’s degrees at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and PhD in astrophysics at the University of Southampton. She spent 10 years in astrophysics research and teaching and occupied a joint position between UCT and the South African Astronomical Observatory. Her research interests include X-ray binaries, the Magellanic Clouds and early-type stars.
McBride joined the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) in January 2017, acting as a link between the astronomy and development communities on projects related to sustainable development.
An example is its flagship astro-tourism project that looks at how astronomy could be used to stimulate local economies in places that don’t always have lots of other viable income-generating options.
McBride was a founding board member in 2020 of the African Network of Women in Astronomy, which provides mentoring and advice and uses astronomy to inspire young women to enter science.
While at the OAD she also took a leading role in the bid to host the 2024 International Astronomical Union’s general assembly in Africa for the first time. This takes place in Cape Town in August. McBride is proud that it will be an “open” event, with presentations accessible to the public.
“For the first time I can invite my … family to come and listen to my scientific contribution at a meeting.”
She and her team are focusing on how they can improve the science ecosystem itself. “I think that’s where we can provide some value as the ISC because our membership is made up of other organisations, scientific unions from different disciplines and national academies from different countries that are members.
“So I think we really ... can try to help to drive change.”
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