Explainer: SKAO governance

Ever wondered about the role of the SKAO’s Council and committees? Here’s a brief guide to three of the key bodies guiding the Observatory as we start the construction phase.

SKAO Council

The SKAO Council is the main decision-making body for the SKAO. It is made up of representatives from each of the SKAO Member States and is supported by an elected Chair and Vice-Chair. Observers, from associated countries and institutions are also invited to attend meetings. In 2021, as we start our activities, the SKAO Council will meet four times but in the following years the frequency will typically be three times per year.

The Council is responsible for the SKAO’s overall strategic and scientific direction as defined in the SKAO Convention: “To facilitate and promote a global collaboration in radio astronomy with a view to the delivery of transformational science. The first objective of this global collaboration shall be the implementation of the SKA Project.”

The Council is where the biggest decisions are made such as approvals to start SKA telescopes construction! It is also responsible for approving key policies and high-level documents such as the funding schedule for construction and operations, the Construction Proposal and Observatory Establishment and Delivery Plan. Very importantly, Council gives approval when new members want to join the SKAO.

The Council also appoints the Director-General (D-G) to act as the chief executive and legal representative of SKAO. The D-G is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the SKAO and provides a report to Council at each of their meetings. While these are just a few of the Council’s responsibilities, it’s already a lot of work for one body. For that reason, the Council is assisted by two key committees, that provide advice and guidance to the Council.

The Finance Committee (FC)

The SKAO Convention states that the Observatory “shall follow the principles of sound financial management, efficiency, transparency and accountability in the planning and management of the financial resources”. That’s where the Finance Committee (FC) comes in. The FC provides Council with advice and recommendations regarding all the financial matters of the SKAO.

This includes financial management and oversight, procurement, budgets, as well as staff regulations and remuneration. Crucially, as the SKAO enters the construction phase, the FC will oversee the SKAO procurement processes and review contract award recommendations. Every SKAO Member is represented on the committee, something also stipulated in the Convention.

Science and Engineering Advisory Committee (SEAC)

As well as the financial side, the Council and Director-General are assisted with advice on scientific and technical matters by the SKAO’s Science and Engineering Advisory Committee (SEAC), an independent body populated by 18 highly regarded specialists in topics of particular relevance to the SKAO. They provide advice on a wide range of science matters: the scientific scope of the Observatory and its telescopes, planning for science operations, and data management, and technical and engineering advice during the construction phase. Each SKAO member has been given the opportunity to nominate an expert on the SEAC, along with representatives from countries with observer status at the SKAO Council, and up to five representatives-at-large (nominated by the Director-General) who may be from countries beyond the Observatory’s membership. All are appointed as experts in their own right and do not represent national interests during their three-year terms.

The SKAO Secretariat, a team within theOffice of the Director-General, provides logistical and administrative support for meetings of the SKAO Council, its committees and subcommittees, as well as for SKAO working groups and internal meetings (in addition to providing administrative support for functions across the organisation). SKAO Secretariat comprises the Head of Secretariat, EA to the Director-General, receptionists and administrators.