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Applying scientific thinking in the service of society

Applying scientific thinking in the service of society. Annual Performance Plan 2013/2014 Presentation to Science and Technology Parliamentary Portfolio Committee. 18 April 2013. ASSAF Mandate. Dual Mandate To honour distinguished scholars in all fields of scientific enquiry

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Applying scientific thinking in the service of society

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  1. Applying scientific thinking in the service of society Annual Performance Plan 2013/2014Presentation to Science and Technology Parliamentary Portfolio Committee 18 April 2013

  2. ASSAF Mandate Dual Mandate • To honour distinguished scholars in all fields of scientific enquiry • To generate evidence-based solutions to national and global challenges

  3. ASSAf Goals • Recognition and reward of excellence • Promotion of innovation and scholarly activity • Promotion of effective, evidence-based scientific advice • Promotion of interest in and awareness of science education • Promotion of national, regional and international linkages

  4. Alignment with Government Goals • Strengthening skills and resource base • Regional development, African advancement and international cooperation • Improvement of the health profile of society • Improvement of rural development and food security • Improvement of environmental assets and natural resources

  5. Programmes of Academy

  6. Key Achievements of Governance & Administration in 2011/2012 • Appointment of Council advisor – Prof Daya Reddy • Appointment of new NACI representative to Council • Four Council meetings held • Unqualified audit achieved • Member elections – 35 new Members elected →total of 368 Members

  7. Governance and Administration2013/2014 • Promote good governance - Compliance, audits, financial and HR management • Promote recognition of Members & participation in ASSAf activities - Annual Awards, AGM, Member Election, ASSAf Panels, Member Database, Scholarly Lectures • Pursue closer alignment of ASSAf activities & DST goals • Coordinate discussions on ASSAf strategic goals - Membership - representation wrt race, gender, science discipline, innovative Membership models - Sustainability of ASSAf - Enhanced role of ASSAf

  8. Key Achievements of Scholarly Publishing Programme in 2011/2012 • National Scholarly Editors’ Forum (NSEF) • Aimed at enhancing quality of editing of scholarly journals • Hosted fifth annual meeting • National Scholarly Book Publishers’ Forum • Finalisation and presentation of recommendations pertaining to ‘National Scholarly Books Fund’ • Hosted two meetings • Discipline-grouped peer review of SA scholarly journals • 4 reports nearing completion

  9. Key Achievements of Scholarly Publishing Programme in 2011/2012 • Open Access Platform • Continued uploading of journals on to OA platform (SciELO SA) – 22 titles • Daily visits to SciELO SA were 1500 in Feb 2012 • Online scientific writing – IAMP funding • Completion of modules for 4-tiered modular system • Hosted workshop for young medical science graduates • Access to core commercial databases • Presentation of report to stakeholders and implementation of recommendations

  10. Scholarly Publishing Programme2013/2014 • Promote Access to Knowledge Resources - Increase number of titles on Open Access platform - Optimise research access through visibility, usage, uptake and impact • Undertake Quality Assurance (journals, books & collected works) - Establish peer-review panels - Publication of discipline-grouped peer-review panel reports - Coordinate activities of National Scholarly Publishers’ Forum - Coordinate activities of National Scholarly Editors’ Forum • Enhance Scientific Writing for Scholarly Publishing • A nationally coordinated, low cost-to-user online course system • Aimed at enhancing the quality of scientific writing for emerging researchers

  11. Volume 109 (Volume 1: 1905) • 2011 ISI impact factor = 0.78 • New design and branding (Jan 2013) • New website (Dec 2012) – 5000 visits to date • New Editor-in-Chief (Nov 2012)– John Butler-Adam • New submission site (Sep 2012) – 125 submissions (±1 per day) – 24% acceptance

  12. Key Achievements of Policy Advisory Programme in 2011/2012 • Completion of two consensus studies • “Towards a Low Carbon City: Focus on Durban” • “The State of the Humanities in South Africa” • Hosted workshop on “Pathways towards a Low Carbon City” at COP-17 meeting in Durban – Nov 2011 • Launch of joint IOM/ASSAf report on “The Emerging Threat of Drug-resistant TB in Southern Africa” • Hosted workshop with IOM on “Envisioning a Strategy to prepare for Long-term Burden of HIV/AIDS”

  13. Key Achievements of Policy Advisory Programme in 2011/2012 • M&E of consensus study report on “Clinical Research in SA” – contributed to DoH plan to strengthen health research in SA • Hosted workshop and published policymakers’ booklet together with NASAC academies on “Science, Water & Sanitation: Supporting Equitable and Sustainable Development in Southern Africa” • Hosted symposium on “Nuclear Energy Safety” • Hosted workshop with Mauritius Academy of Science & Technology on “Agricultural Genetic Modification Policy in Africa”

  14. Key Achievements of Policy Advisory Programme in 2011/2012 • Launched policymakers’ booklet on “Inquiry-based Science Education: Increasing Participation of Girls in Science in sub-Saharan Africa” – produced together with NASAC academies • Established Standing Committee on Health and obtained Council approval for Standing Committee on Humanities

  15. Policy Advisory Programme2013/2014 • Initiate and facilitate evidence-based projects on Health, Education, Humanities, Biosafety & Biosecurity, Environment & Energy Studies • ReconceptualiseASSAf Forum Studies • Increased generation of Assessment Studies on national priority areas • Conduct commentaries on government policies • Localisation/domestication of evidence-based reports

  16. Policy Advisory Programme2013/2014 • Health • Publication & dissemination of consensus study on “Improved Nutritional Assessment of Micronutrients” • Workshop on National Health Insurance • Planned consensus study on “Reproductive Health in SA Schools” • Planned consensus study on “Training of Health Professionals” • Monitoring implementation of recommendations of “Clinical Research” consensus study

  17. Policy Advisory Programme2013/2014 Humanities Studies • Organise an international conference on Humanities • Engage with key stakeholders to promote Humanities in SA Education Studies -Promote Inquiry-Based Science Education in South Africa • Implementation of La Main a la Pâte pilot study in Gauteng • Source financial support for a Consensus Study on Revitalising Agricultural Education and Training

  18. Policy Advisory Programme2013/2014 • Environment Studies • - Publish Proceedings Report - Technologies for a Low Carbon Society • - Assessment Study on State of Green Technologies in South Africa • Launch Policymakers’ Booklet Science, Water, Sanitation in Zimbabwe • Energy Studies • Disseminate Proceedings Report on Nuclear Energy Safety • Assessment study on State of Energy Research in South Africa • Biosafety • - Consensus Study on the State of Biosafety & Biosecurity in SA • Launch Policymakers’ Booklet on GMOs in Kenya

  19. Key Achievements of Liaison Programme in 2011/2012 • Awarded Sydney Brenner postdoctoral fellowship • Awarded 2 Science-for-Society Gold Medals • Hosted Distinguished Visiting Scholar – Prof Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker • Hosted annual Young Scientists’ Conference – “Changing Lives through Chemistry” • Launched SA Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) in Sept 2011 • provide secretariat support

  20. Key Achievements of Liaison Programme in 2011/2012 • Continued presidency of NASAC • Engaged in Academy capacity building initiatives with Mauritus and Zimbabwe • Signed MoU with Mauritius Academy of Science and technology (MAST) • Completed study on State of Women in S&T in SA as part of Organisation of Women in Science in Developing Countries (OWSD) study – launched at AAAS meeting in Vancouver in Feb 2012 • Completed study on State of Women in S&T in Swaziland for UNESCO

  21. Liaison Programme2013/2014 • Strengthen Relations with International Science Academies & Networks • Participate in global scientific meetings - IAP, G Science, IAC, TWAS, OWSD, STSf & IAMP - Provide capacity building & support to African national science academies & NASAC • Coordinate participation of SA scientists in global science activities • Host IAMP General Assembly & scientific conference

  22. Liaison Programme2013/2014 • Strengthen Relations with National Stakeholders in NSI - Increased engagement with government departments • Increased engagement with PPC • Pursue multi-governmental cooperation in identifying & providing evidence-based solutions to critical societal challenges • Establish collaborative links with stakeholders i.e. business, embassies & research &technology institutions - Host & serve as secretariat for COHORT

  23. Liaison Programme2013/2014 • Promote young scientists’ activities - Organise & host Annual Young Scientists’ Conference - Identify & nominate young scientists for international activities - Promote participation of young scientists in national scientific activities • Collaborate with and support SAYAS • Recognise, reward and promote excellence in science - Award Science-for-Society gold medals to distinguished scientists - Facilitate recruitment of Sydney Brenner postdoctoral fellows - Identify & facilitate lectures by the Distinguished Visiting Scholar(s) - Coordinate Regional Scholarly Lectures with science academies

  24. Key Achievements of Comms. & Publications in 2011/2012 • 4 issues of Quest published – print run of 25 000 • Quest was marketed at 14 science events • Advertising in Quest increased by > 50% compared with previous year • 26 media statements released • South African Journal of Science • 6 issues published • Completed report on SAJS Business Strategy → greater emphasis on News & Views (analysis of S&T policy)

  25. Communication and Publications2013/2014 • Initiate a campaign to raise Academy’s Profile • Production & dissemination of ASSAf Policy Advisory Reports • Monitoring the impact & uptake of evidence-based reports • Production & dissemination of SAJS • Production & dissemination of Quest magazine • Promote usage of Quest Interactive Website • Monitor usage & impact of Quest magazine in schools and other learning institutions • Raising science awareness & engagement through cooperation with government, learning institutions, science advancement entities & business

  26. Quest • Quest:Science for South Africa - full-colour, quarterly, popular science magazine, supported by DST, endorsed by DoE. • Print-run 25 000 per issue • Aimed at learners, educators, scientific community, academics, decision-makers and public • Distributed to Dinaledi & public high schools with science departments & at national science events Improve Quest Impact • Targeted distribution strategy • Formalise cooperation DoE, University Education Departments, SAASTA, science centres

  27. Thank you www.assaf.org.za

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