Professor Michele Dougherty, bestowed with the role of Astronomer Royal to the British monarchy is South African, and the first woman to receive this honor.
According to a UKZN media statement the honorary title of Astronomer Royal will see Dougherty advise the monarchy on matters of astronomy. No woman has served in this position since its inception in 1675.
A professor in space physics at the Imperial College of London, Dougherty was born in Johannesburg, raised in Durban and educated at the Gordon Road Girls’ School and Mitchell High School.
Dougherty was unsure what career path to pursue on completing high school so took the advice of her late father and registered for a Bachelor of Science degree at UKZN (former University of Natal).
Dougherty was drawn to the world of astronomy due to the influence of her father, Professor Brian Dougherty, a civil engineering academic at UKZN.
In her formative years, she recalled building a telescope to view the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Little did she know she would take the lead in the field of astronomy. In 1997 she took charge of the magnetometer aboard the Cassini/ Huygens mission to Saturn. And, in 2023 she was responsible for the same task for the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer for the European Space Agency.
Astronomer Royal, the opportunity to foster a love for science and astronomy
Taking on the reigns from her predecessor, Lord Martin Reese, Dougherty plans to “focus on outreach, engaging the public on the wonder of astrology and science, and its potential to provide real returns for the UK economy.”
Reflecting on her university education, Dougherty recalls taking on the challenges of university-level science. Excelling in mathematics and biology at high school, Dougherty had limited pure science knowledge. Hence, navigating through pure science at university proved tough.
The help of her father and much perseverance led to Dougherty concluding her honors in physics and a PHD in applied mathematics over seven years.
“My education opened up opportunities that would not have opened up otherwise,” said Dougherty.
Used to being in career scenarios where minority women representation was the norm, Dougherty ensured that every opportunity she obtained was based on her qualification and not because she was a woman.
With this in mind she hopes her role as Astronomer Royal would encourage other women to pursue leadership roles in the science.
Dougherty often visits South Africa to spend time with her family and as a contributor to projects like the Square Kilometre Array.
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