Astronomer Tereza Jeřábková was elected at the beginning of the year to the Astronomy Working Group (AWG) of the European Space Agency (ESA). This is a prestigious position that helps shape the direction of research at a global level. The first two-day AWG meeting of this year, attended by Tereza Jeřábková, is currently taking place at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands.
Tereza Jeřábková from the Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics has become a new member of the twelve-member AWG, which serves as a scientific advisory body within ESA. The group provides expert advice in the field of astronomy to the Space Science Advisory Committee (SSAC) and, through this structure, can influence decision-making within ESA’s science programme as well as the global direction of research.
“AWG provides recommendations, for example, on the selection of new missions, the extension of ongoing missions beyond their nominal lifetime, or on data policies and priorities in the use of limited resources,” Jeřábková explained. Although the role of AWG is formally advisory, the group’s recommendations carry significant weight and influence the course of European space science for many years to come.
ESA trusts my scientific expertise
Regardless of the personal scientific preferences of individual AWG members, they are expected to provide an impartial and well-qualified perspective. “I am ready to offer recommendations across the full portfolio of astronomical missions. At the same time, I find close collaboration with the Solar System Exploration Working Group, which focuses on research of the Sun and planets, to be very enriching,” Jeřábková noted.
This interdisciplinary breadth had already inspired her during her time at ESA, and she considers it an essential element of modern space science. As a fellow at ESA and later as an astronomer at the European Southern Observatory, she gained valuable experience early in her career.
“Being elected to AWG is a significant form of professional recognition for me. ESA places its trust in my scientific expertise when it comes to formulating recommendations for the future direction of European space missions, and I value this trust very highly,” Jeřábková added.
Returning to Czechia makes sense
Jeřábková returned to Czechia thanks to a MASH grant, which offers flexible funding and enables her to build her own research group at an international level. “Thanks to this support and the strong institutional background at the Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics at Masaryk University, I have come to believe that returning to Czechia makes sense not only personally, but also professionally,” Jeřábková said.
According to her, Masaryk University has both the ambition and the potential to attract top researchers from abroad, and she believes it has a very strong future ahead in space research and science in general.
Photo: Tereza Jeřábková Archive
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