Big Science Politics and Global Development: The Case of Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in Africa

Big science projects such as astronomy and space science have been framed in terms of a linear relationship to development. In depoliticisation language, scientists link answering fundamental questions about the universe, building large research infrastructures and technological advancement to discourses of development. Political questions of power are often suspended in this discourse and have received little attention, especially in the African context. This thesis brings to the fore these suspended issues or unintended effects of power, geopolitics, coloniality, dependency and neoliberalism which affect the projected impact of big science projects such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) projects in Africa. The thesis utilises these case studies to put forth the idea that the creation of scientific knowledge and the development of related skills are crucial in maintaining the dependence of the Global South on the Global North. Science is not apolitical as scientists would portray but there is a correlation between science and power. The pursuit of big science is not just for the sake of knowledge generation and advancement, but it is an extension of influence from within states and beyond. The unique contribution made by the thesis is the use of different theoretical strands and disciplines, bringing them into conversation with each other to answer key questions on the political economy of science, technology, and innovation systems in Africa. The empirical evidence generated suggests a coproduction of big science and power and maintenance of scientific knowledge dependency in the Global South. In particular, the thesis unveils the side effects of big science development intervention and how ontological security is being built around big science at the individual, state, and transboundary levels.