3GC refers to the comprehensive mathematical and practical treatment of direction-dependent effects that limit the dynamic range of radio telescopes, where 2GC refers to the self-calibration paradigm. Highly sensitive SKA precursors (MeerKAT and ASKAP) and the SKA itself necessitates the development of these concepts and tools. Once considered “luxury” issues only relevant to specific deep observations, these tools will become the bread and butter of future deep surveys.
Therefore, the 3GC workshops have been designed to be uniquely different from the conventional radio astronomy school, or the usual scientific conference, and are aimed at creating a platform for skills transfer and an inclusive, productive dialogue between students, researchers and the master practitioners of radio astronomy. 3GC is meant to build on more conventional synthesis imaging schools by teaching the students advanced and additional skills not covered by the school.

The main characteristics of the proposed 3GC4 workshop are:
The workshop is conducted over two weeks. This ensures plenty of interaction between students and researchers, and helps embed the acquired skills through repetition, reiteration and discussion - many of the ideas and skills acquired in the first few days will form the necessary underpinning for discussions and tutorials later during the workshop.
The participants represent a spectrum of experience levels - students and early researchers (the majority), practicing researchers and invited world class radio astronomers, specialising in advanced tools and techniques.
The first week involves a crash-course in the theoretical and practical aspects of calibration and imaging, with a strong emphasis on hands-on tutorials and examples. We then transition to advanced techniques in direction dependent calibration, line imaging and the generation of higher order science products (e.g., velocity fields, source catalogues). This will include individual and group exercises on a variety of topics.
The second week builds on the calibration topic from the first week. We will extend our focus on advanced tools and topics (e.g., source finding, deconvolution) with lectures and tutorials. This will be enhanced by discussions and talks related to higher level issues, such as the development of end-to-end pipelines, distributed computing and the general computing needs of the MeerKAT and SKA community.