Launch of African crystallography association signals continent’s plans to grow this field

The African Crystallographic Association (AfCA) was officially launched during an online Pan-African Crystallography conference last month. The AfCA’s goals include the development of education and research in crystallography and structural sciences across Africa.

Delia Haynes, a chemist at Stellenbosch University’s department of chemistry and polymer science in South Africa, was elected the first president of the newly established AfCA. ‘We will achieve [AfCA’s] objectives in a number of ways, including organising meetings, promoting crystallographic research and educational activities and awarding prizes,’ says Haynes. ‘We also aim to be a voice supporting the development of science in Africa.’