Academy’s role in communicating Science for Development

19 February 2009

Presented by Professor Robin CrewePresident: ASSAf

General consensus that Science, Technology and Innovation will drive the development of a Knowledge Economy (KE)

Development of the knowledge economy will lead to economic development with significant social benefits

Major challenge for the development of KE is human capital development

Science communication is a key element in fostering human capital development particularly in SET

Science Communication in SA

Context

The mandate of the Academy encompasses all fields of scholarly enquiry, and its Membership

includes the full diversity of South Africa’s distinguished scientists

Mandate

Has 315 members who are drawn from all scholarly disciplines in South Africa, collective resource for the professionally-managed generation of evidence-based solutions to national problems.

Publisher of a variety of materials focuses on addressing national priorities and influencing the youth to become engaged in SET activities to address human capital development challenges

South Africa’s national Academy of Science which is directed at “Promoting Excellence for Science in Society”

Role of the Academy of Science of South Africa

Scholarly communication between practitioners in a discipline. Has a history of approximately 350 years. Form: Scholarly Journal

Public understanding of Science. Material written for non-specialists. Form: Newspaper pieces and Science Magazines

Influence on policy makers. Review of material on a topic, to influence policy and investment. Form: Evidenced based report from engaging with experts

Science Media Centre. Resource for science communicators.

Elements of Science Communication

Communication and Publications

• Quest :Science for South Africa is a quarterly science magazine targeted at youth, sent free to all schools

• South African Journal of Science is a bimonthly publication, national flagship multi-disciplinary science journal

• Establishing new site: SciELO-South Africa (open access, fully indexed journal platform)

• Science for Society Newsletter is published quarterly• Website (www.assaf.org.za) : maintenance and

updates, intranet and open domain• Periodic issuing of statements that comment on

matters of national concern• “Science Media Centre” in development

South African Journal of Science (SAJS)•Leading multi-disciplinary science journal in Africa with an impact factor of 0.94•Ranked 23rd out of 50 in world rankings in ISI-indexed multi-disciplinary journals •Published on bi-monthly basis and is over 100 years old•Full electronic version available since 1999 but full open access system is planned•New editorial model of an Editor-in-Chief and 10 Associate Editors in specific disciplinary fields came into effect on 1 November 2008•Vision –to be the flagship national journal

Scholarly Journal

The ASSAf Scholarly Publishing Programme is conceptualised as a concerted intervention within the country’s national system of Innovation (NSI), focused on the enhancement of the quality, quantity and worldwide visibility of original, peer-reviewed publications produced by researchers in the public sector, and the fostering of a new generation of highly competent and productive scientists and scholars

Scholarly Publishing

Modelled on SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online) which was developed in Brazil and now covers 8 countries in South America

Visit of ASSAf delegation to Brazil

Merits of System

Common operating system to be made available

quality threshold for inclusion of journals

full open access publishing platform, full text free to readers, fully indexed with citations

Open Access Journal Platform

Fully indexed scholarly journal platform, which forms part of developing country’s ‘ISI’ system

Material is readily available both nationally and internationally with no financial barriers to access

Usage can be monitored daily be authors, editors and users of the system

Material can be included in ISI database and used for citation analysis

Selection of Journals for inclusion will be done by ASSAf Review Panels.

Once established could be expanded to other African countries

SciELO SA

Full colour youth orientated Science Magazine

Brings South African Science to youth

Published quarterly

Supported by DoE and DST

Print run doubled in 2008 to increase distribution to schools

Complimentary copies distributed to schools with Science Departments

Open access planned

Public Understanding of Science

ASSAf undertakes a variety of studies to explore issues of national concern with a view to influencing decision makers

The methodology used is strictly evidence based and takes two forms: consensus studies or forum studies

Outcome of the studies is a report that is peer reviewed and approved for release by the Council of the Academy

Release and distribution is carefully planned to ensure maximum impact for the proposals that are made

Influence on Policy Makers: Public and

Private

ASSAf undertakes a variety of studies to explore issues of national concern with a view to influencing decision makers

The methodology used is strictly evidence based and takes two forms: consensus studies or forum studies

Outcome of the studies is a report that is peer reviewed and approved for release by the Council of the Academy

Release and distribution is carefully planned to ensure maximum impact for the proposals that are made

Influence on Policy Makers: Public and

Private

Current Evidence-Based Study Projects

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education in South Africa

• Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (in preparation for ASADI Conference in Ghana, November 2009)

• GMOs in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities• The Status of the Humanities in South Africa• The PhD Degree: Enhancing the Production of Postgraduates in

South Africa• Improved Nutritional Assessment in South Africa• Science for Poverty Alleviation (Forum)• Good Laboratory Practice• Clinical Research and Related Training in South Africa

Study released at a media breakfast Nov 2007

Covered in local and international media

Has led to two follow up studies

Clinical Research and Related Training in South Africa

Improved Nutritional Assessment in South Africa

Consensus study

Arose out of Science in Society program of the Royal Society of London

Although housed at Royal Society independent of it. Governance

Readily available resources on matters of topical interest to media

the focus of each centre is the media – particularly sectors of the media and their staff that do not have specialised S&T capability

Science Media Centre

THANK YOU

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DISCUSSION?