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Academy’s role in communicating Science for Development 19 February 2009

Academy’s role in communicating Science for Development 19 February 2009. Presented by Professor Robin Crewe President: ASSAf. Science Communication in SA Context. General consensus that Science, Technology and Innovation will drive the development of a Knowledge Economy (KE)

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Academy’s role in communicating Science for Development 19 February 2009

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  1. Academy’s role in communicating Science for Development 19 February 2009 Presented by Professor Robin Crewe President: ASSAf

  2. Science Communication in SA Context • 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

  3. Mandate The mandate of the Academy encompasses all fields of scholarly enquiry, and its Membership includes the full diversity of South Africa’s distinguished scientists

  4. Role of the Academy of Science of South Africa • 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”

  5. Elements of Science Communication • 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.

  6. 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 Communication and Publications

  7. Scholarly Journal 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

  8. Scholarly Publishing 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

  9. Open Access Journal Platform • 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

  10. SciELO SA • 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

  11. Public Understanding of Science • 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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 Current Evidence-Based Study Projects

  15. Consensus study • 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

  16. Science Media Centre • 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

  17. THANK YOU & DISCUSSION?

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