Bridging the divide between science and politics

1. Bridging the divide between science and politics David Dickson, Director, SciDev.Net Annual Meeting of the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI) Royal Society, London, 5 November 2008

5. www.scidev.net

7. Overview of respondents Number % of total Researchers 288 46.7% Intermediaries 214 34.7% Policy-makers 113 18.3% Total sample size: 617. www.scidev.net

8. Theme 1 Evidence-based policy-making is poorly institutionalised in developing country contexts www.scidev.net

9. Fig. 1. Satisfaction with degree to which policy is based on ST&I evidence (all respondents)

10. Obstacles to uptake of scientific information in development policy-making Scientific understanding by policymakers is low 64% Limited openness by politicians 61% Lack of dissemination of research findings 59% Lack of incentives 56% Lack of institutional channels for incorporation 44% www.scidev.net

11. Implications • Lack of formal mechanisms for integrating scientific knowledge into policy. • Policy priorities often drive the use of research, rather than research stimulating policy recommendations. www.scidev.net

12. Theme 2 Audience-appropriate information targeting is imperative www.scidev.net

13. Implication • ST&I information must be targeted to the needs of actors in the policy process • Mst also target the stage in the policy process at which actors use such information. www.scidev.net

14. Theme 3 Intermediary organisations are needed as knowledge brokers for researcher and policy-making communities www.scidev.net

16. Fig. 14 Potential knowledge services that could be provided by a web-based intermediary organisation

17. Theme 4 Interaction and deliberation, rather than just research dissemination, is needed to bridge the ST&I researcher/policy-maker gap www.scidev.net

18. Fig. 10 Types of information found useful by policymakers in development policy decision-making

19. Theme 5 Policy-engaged scientists are critically important www.scidev.net

20. Fig. 3 Scientists as neutral information providers or also engaging in policy debates

21. Implications • Strong desire from Southern policy-makers for scientific findings to be complemented by policy-relevant recommendations. • Policy-makers and development practitioners would make greater use of scientific research findings if scientists engaged more openly with the policy implications, and present policy options. www.scidev.net

22. Dangers! • Politicisation of science. • Scientisation of politics. www.scidev.net

23. Theme 6 Improving public understanding of ST&I will facilitate better policy dialogues [and help avoid previous two dangers] www.scidev.net

24. Fig. 11 Extent to which respondents believed that increased participation from a scientifically informed public will lead to improved development

25. Implications • Strong interest by both policy-makers and researchers in greater public participation in ST&I-related policy debates • This requires initiatives to improve public understanding of ST&I to promote a more informed and engaged public. www.scidev.net

26. In brief: Policymakers at all levels need accurate, timely, concise and reliable information about potential role of science and technology in meeting development objectives. www.scidev.net

27. In addition: Public understanding of, and engagement in, S&T ensures open and democratic debate about the promises they offer – as well as their transparent governance of their potentially negative consequences. www.scidev.net

28. Promise of the world wide web: Eliminating transaction of costs of sharing information opens up new opportunities for effective science communication. www.scidev.net

29. What we are and what we do www.scidev.net

30. Our role: To act as a basic resource for policymakers and stakeholders concerned with science and development issues. To achieve this by providing a combination of topical and background information that is both authoritative and accessible www.scidev.net

31. Our activities: • Operating a free-access website (www.scidev.net) containing news, views and analysis about science and technology in the developing world. • Organising regional workshops and other activities – including internships – to enhance the capacity of science journalists and others (including researchers) to provide reliable and authoritative information on such issues www.scidev.net

32. Our website contains • News • Feature articles • • Opinion articles • • Weekly editorial • • Dossiers (including commissioned policy briefs) • • Notices (including lists of meetings, grants and jobs) • • Links (e.g. to scientific organisations and journals) • • Feedback from users www.scidev.net

38. Capacity-building workshops These are intended to help build capacity in developing countries to report accurately on science and technology and their contributions to development.

40. Operating data • Full operation since 2001 • 36,000 registered users (8,000 in sub-Saharan Africa) • >2/3 (69% in developing countries) • 28,000 visitors per week • > 100 freelance contributors around the developing world www.scidev.net

41. SciDev.Net is supported by the journals: Academy of Sciences of the Developing World www.scidev.net

42. SciDev.Net is currently funded by: • UK Department for International Development (DFID) • Swedish International Development Agency (Sida/SAREC) • • International Development Research Centre (IDRC) • • Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs (DGIS) • • Swiss Development Agency (SDC) www.scidev.net

43. For more information, and to register to receivefree weekly email alert, visit us at: www.scidev.net For information about workshops and other activities, contact me at: david.dickson@scidev.net Thank you! London, 5 November 2008 www.scidev.net