What is the ukSRC?
The UK SKA Regional Centre (ukSRC) is the UK's part of a global network that will store, process and provide access to the data from the SKA telescopes. Working alongside partner countries, it gives researchers in the UK and beyond the computing power, software and support they need to turn that data into science. It also runs a national programme that supports UK astronomers using the SKA's precursor and pathfinder telescopes, such as MeerKAT, LOFAR and e-MERLIN, helping the community gain experience with SKA-like data today. The ukSRC is a collaboration between the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, Durham, Hertfordshire and Manchester, University College London, and STFC Laboratories, funded by UKRI's Science and Technology Facilities Council.
Why it matters
The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) is a major international science project, and much of its work has uses beyond astronomy. Through the UK's role in building and running it, the ukSRC contributes to research, skills and technology across the country.
Understanding the Universe
The SKA telescopes will study how the first stars and galaxies formed, test our theories of gravity, and look for the conditions for life around other stars.
An international project
Sixteen countries are building the SKAO together. The UK hosts the SKAO global headquarters at Jodrell Bank and plays a leading role in the regional centre network.
A head start for UK science
Through a national programme, the ukSRC supports UK astronomers using the SKAO precursor and pathfinder telescopes, such as MeerKAT, LOFAR and e-MERLIN, so the community can build skills and do new science now.
Skills and careers
Designing and running the ukSRC develops data scientists, engineers and software developers, with skills that are needed across research and industry.
Open data and software
SKAO data and the tools to work with it are being built to open and FAIR standards, so that researchers and students can make use of them.
Technology with wider uses
Handling the huge volumes of data from the SKAO advances methods in cloud computing, data management and machine learning that can be applied well beyond astronomy.
Public engagement
The ukSRC supports training, outreach and engagement that bring radio astronomy to students, teachers and the wider public.
Impact of astronomy and the SKAO
Astronomy and the SKAO expand our understanding of the Universe while driving innovation, skills and economic growth. Through global collaboration, they transform cutting‑edge science into lasting benefits for society and industry. Read more
Latest news
MeerKAT Call for Proposals Now Open
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) has announced a new call for observing proposals using the MeerKAT radio telescope.
Call for Expressions of Interest for Scientific Advisor to UK SKAO Council Delegates
In accordance with the timeline for the next SKAO Council meeting in July 2026, expressions of interest are being invited for the next Scientific Advisor to UK SKAO Council Delegates, supporting the STFC Executive Chair and DSIT.
ukSRC Supporting New Astronomical Projects
The ukSRC facility is now supporting nine new science cases as part of our expanded Demonstrator Case scheme.
ukSRC Team Members Win SKA Data Challenge 3b – Inference
Congratulations to our ukSRC colleagues at the University of Cambridge, whose team scored top in the two current data sets released by the SKAO as part of SKA Data Challenge 3b – Inference.