Glimpsing the Very First Stars, Investigating Gravity, and Probing Life Beyond Earth

My talk will set the scene for the session in presenting an A-Z overview of how the Square Kilometre Array’s ambitious pre-construction phase is progressing at a scientific and technical level. I will give both an astronomer and chief executive’s birds-eye view of the importance of stewarding strategic relationships with national agencies, partners, governments, industry and other private sector entities, along with all other project stakeholders. In particular, I will paint a picture for delegates of what a SKA future might look like and what we hope to achieve from glimpsing the formation and evolution of the very first stars and galaxies after the Big Bang, investigating the nature of gravity, and possibly even discovering life beyond Earth.