2026 Lecture Programme

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Upcoming Talks

18 November 2026

Probing the evolution of dark energy with HIRAX, a radio telescope at the SKA site in the Karoo

Professor Kavilan Moodley

Astrophysics Research Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract: Prof Kavilan Moodley will present the Hydrogen Intensity Mapping and Real-time Analysis eXperiment (HIRAX) project, which is a proposed hydrogen intensity mapping experiment operating at 400-800 MHz. HIRAX will measure the evolution of dark energy over the redshift range z=0.8-2.5 by using the characteristic baryonic acoustic oscillation scale as a standard ruler. The HIRAX radio telescope array is sited in the radio-quiet Karoo astronomy reserve in South Africa and will ultimately comprise 1024 dishes, each six metres in diameter, placed in a compact configuration. He will discuss the HIRAX design, status and scientific prospects.

RSVP

Previous Talks

Closing the Longevity Gap: Affordable Metallic Biomaterials for Next-Generation Implants

Prof Michael Bodunrin
School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering
University of the Witwatersrand
18 February 2026

Painful diabetic neuropathy: a burning issue

Prof Peter Kamerman FRSSAf
School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand
22 April 2026

The glorious grasslands of Africa

Prof Sally Archibald, FRSSAf
School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences
University of the Witwatersrand
18 March 2026

Spiders that fly

Prof David Limebeer FRSSAf
Electrical & Information Engineering
University of the Witwatersrand
20 May 2026

Captured States: Bulgaria, South(ern) Africa, and the Limits of Formal Democracy

Dr Dimitar Keranov MRSSAf
Political Scientist
Bulgarian Institute for International Politics (BIIP)
17 June 2026

A neuroscientist re-evaluates Freud and the talking cure

Prof Mark Solms
Director of Neuropsychology at the Neuroscience Institute,
University of Cape Town
19 August 2026

The Power of Research

Prof Demitri Markoulides
Director Founder and CEO of OSTA Technologies
16 September 2026

Hidden in Plain Sight: Uncovering South Africa's Unknown Fungi

Prof Cobus Visagie
Associate Professor: FABI, University of Pretoria; Co-director: National Grain Research Platform; UP Research Chair in Fungal Biodiversity
20 October 2026