Statement on the tragic loss of Professor Steven Rawlings

Professor Steven Rawlings died on 13 January 2012. He was official fellow and tutor in physics at St Peter's College, Oxford University, and one of the leading scientists on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), a project to build the world's largest radio telescope comprised of thousands of dish receptors dotted across the southern hemisphere.

Dr Rawlings was a visionary astrophysicist without whom the SKA project may never have happened. This project is unlike any in the history of science. As a scientist, Dr Rawlings was ahead of his field in seeing the potential value of the SKA and he led the way in developing the scientific case for its construction. His advocacy of the project was crucial in getting funding agencies around the world on board with the project. When complete, the SKA will enormously enhance humanity’s understanding of the universe, as well as our own place in it, and it is this that will be Dr Rawlings’ lasting legacy.

Furthermore, Africa’s researchers and scientists owe a particular debt of gratitude to Dr Rawlings. He was a leading advocate for the continent’s further integration into the global scientific community. This process is now well underway and will contribute to change in Africa and Africa’s role in the world for the better. The MeerKAT project, which will soon be the largest radio astronomy project not only in Africa but also the Southern Hemisphere, would not have been possible without his foresight, perseverance and guidance. MeerKAT marks just the first step in an exciting new journey for African science, a journey that is in large part due to Dr Rawlings.

Dr. Bernie Fanaroff, Project Director, SKA South Africa, said: “Steve had a very large number of friends here, both in the SKA South Africa and in the universities. He spent many days with us and gave a great deal of help and guidance to us in the development of the MeerKAT. He was a great inspiration as a member of the Science Advisory Committee and as a great astronomer and scientist. We all liked him immensely as a warm and generous human being. We are deeply shocked to hear of his death and will miss him very, very much.”

Dr Rawlings is survived by his wife, Linda.

Kraje

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