UWC Celebrates Prof. Roy Maartens’ Third Consecutive NRF A Rating
Professor Roy Maartens’ stature as an internationally recognised leading researcher in astrophysics was reaffirmed when he received an A1 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF).
Prof Maartens has been championing the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) involvement in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project since 2011. This was the third consecutive time that he received the NRF A-rating. NRF ratings are awarded on a six-year cycle, and A-rated researchers are recognised as leading scholars in their fields internationally for the high quality and broad impact (beyond a narrow field of specialisation) of their recent research outputs.
Prof Maartens, who has held the SKA/SARChI Chair in Astronomy and Astrophysics since 2011, has been awarded the NRF A-rating for his research in cosmology. His work focuses on extracting information from the distribution of millions of galaxies, which contain a ‘fossil’ record from the very early Universe, as well as the imprints at later times of Dark Energy and Dark Matter. This information is used to study the origins and evolution of the Universe.
“I am very privileged to have had the opportunities and support that are denied to most people,” said Prof Maartens. “This has allowed me to follow my passion for digging into the mysteries of the Universe – not on my own, but as part of a wonderful team of researchers and students at UWC.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Professor José Frantz congratulated Prof Maartens on this “well-deserved honour” and said that the continued rating at this high level is proof of his extensive contribution to physics and astronomy. “As a University, we are delighted with this prestigious recognition, as it is a testament to Prof Maartens’ exceptional contributions to his field and his unwavering commitment to academic excellence.”
“We take immense pride in his achievements and the exemplary standard of research he continues to uphold. Prof Maartens’ dedication enhances our institution’s reputation and inspires current and future scholars.”
Acting Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Professor Admire Dube, added: m”On behalf of the Faculty, I extend hearty congratulations to Prof Maartens on this extraordinary achievement. This achievement is even more special because Prof Maartens has maintained his previous A ratings.
“We are very proud of his achievement and world leadership in the field of cosmology. His achievement no doubt inspires students and researchers at all levels within our Faculty and further positions us as a Faculty of first choice to study Science.”
Who is Professor Maartens?
Prof Maartens obtained his PhD from UCT in 1980 and was a lecturer at Wits University from 1984-94. He was at the University of Portsmouth in the UK from 1994 to 2010, where he was the founding Director of the Institute of Cosmology & Gravitation, which became one of the top cosmology research groups in the UK and internationally. He returned to South Africa and joined UWC in 2011, funded by the South Square Kilometre Array Project and the NRF via a SARChI Chair.
With the support of the SARChI grant, an Astrophysics Group was built in the Department of Physics. This is now the Department of Physics & Astronomy, and the UWC Astro Group is internationally recognised for its research and contributions to training a new generation of students. UWC researchers play a leading role in the South African MeerKAT telescope and in the international SKA collaboration which is extending MeerKAT into the world’s biggest astronomy installation in the Karoo.
In 2012, he received his first NRF A-rating, which was also the first A-rating at UWC. It was renewed in 2018 and now again in 2024. He has published more than 250 articles in international peer-reviewed journals, with an h-index of 75.
In 2015, two other UWC astronomers received A-ratings: Prof Romeel Dave (now at Edinburgh University) and Prof Russ Taylor (who has returned to Canada). In 2020, UWC astronomer Mario Santos received an A-rating.
Prof Maartens’ third consecutive A-rating not only cements his position as a world-leading researcher in cosmology but also highlights the University of the Western Cape’s growing prominence in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. This achievement underscores UWC’s commitment to fostering excellence in scientific research and its significant contributions to the Square Kilometre Array project.