Prof. Jessica Dempsey appointed as the next Director-General of the SKA Observatory
17/07/2025 – Jessica Dempsey will be the next Director-General of the SKA Observatory from June 2026
Prof. Jessica Dempsey in front of the SKAO Global Headquarters at Jodrell Bank. Credits: SKAO
The SKA Observatory (SKAO) has announced the appointment of Dr Jessica Dempsey as the next Director General. The current director of ASTRON (Netherlands) will assume the role in June 2026 for a five-year term, taking over from Philip Diamond, who has led the intergovernmental organisation since it was established in February 2021.
Dempsey will lead the SKAO during a key phase that includes the end of construction of the SKA-Low (Australia) and SKA-Mid (South Africa) telescopes, the preparation for the start of the scientific verification phase—scheduled for the first half of 2027—and the project’s transition from construction to its initial scientific operations.
The appointment was approved by the SKAO Council, composed of representatives of the twelve member countries. The decision highlights Dempsey's strong experience in managing large international scientific infrastructures and his commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
More information: skao.int