Communities in ASSAf
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- Collection of both peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications by ASSAf.
- Collection of slides and recordings (incl. video/audio) presented during ASSAf events, or by ASSAf representatives.
Recent Submissions
Quest Volume 20 Number 2
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024-06-28) Mnika, Khuthala; Malope, Malebo; Soma-Pillay, Priya; Goldstein, Susan; Cherry, Michael
The promise of genome engineering in Africa: Lots done, lots more to come; Cell and gene therapies: Delivering on many fronts; The ethics of Genetics 2.0:Five principles that should guide future DNA ‘editing’ in South Africa; Using DNA barcoding to fight illegal wildlife trade: Towards protecting South Africa’s biodiversity; Genetics careers focus: What careers are available in genetics in South Africa?; Monsters of the deep: SA’s giant mosasaurs; Quantum technologies: Coming to change your future(fast); Minecraft Education: Helping to improve learners’ coding and robotics skills; Frontiers Planet Prize: SA researcher one of 23 global
finalists; Climate change: Alarming Africa-wide report predicts 30% drop in crop revenue, 50 million without water; Caesarean births: South Africa’s rates are too
high; Sugar in baby food: Why Nestlé needs to be held to account in Africa; SA young scientists showcase pioneering research: ISTEC science and engineering
competition in Bali; Prof. Tulio de Oliveira recognised again: Selected for TIME100 Health 2024 list; Book review: Statues and storms; Subscription
Achieving Good Governance and Management in the South African Health System
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
ASSAf recognises the societal mandate to contribute evidence-based solutions to national and global priority challenges. Through rigorous consensus studies, we strive to achieve science-to-policy advice to government, to support decision making in the formulation and implementation of policies.
In September 2020, ASSAf appointed a voluntary seven-member consensus study panel, comprising expert practitioners from various disciplines within South African public health and health systems, to
comprehensively examine the pillars which support Achieving Good Governance and Management in the South African Health System.
This report encapsulates the culmination of the panel’s work, offering a detailed study of governance challenges within the South African health system, underscoring the multifaceted nature of governance
deficiencies and their profound implications as well as highlighting the possibilities for positive action. The recommendations address the key governance elements of strategic vision and policy design, participation and consensus, accountability, transparency and protection against corruption. Commitment to the recommendations will strengthen governance and leadership of the current health system and move us closer toward achieving quality Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Public session on the programme: Role of National Academies and Universities in Promoting Human Rights and Enhancing Equality Proceedings Report
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies(IHRN)
The 14th Biennial Meeting of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (IHRN) on the Role of National Academies and Universities in Promoting Human Rights and Enhancing Equality
Prof André Keet, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Transformation at the Nelson Mandela University, delivered the keynote address. Prof Keet highlighted and acknowledged the role of universities and academies in upholding, improving and promoting human rights and equality agendas for all, the threat against academic freedom and the role that the scientific, health and engineering disciplines play in furthering the agendas on human rights and enhancing equality.
This was followed with 5 panels exploring the themes of: (a) Equity in Global Collaborations; (b) Gender Equality and Gender-Based Violence; (c) Addressing Stigma and Discrimination; (d) Safeguarding Academic Freedom; and (e) Advancing Social Justice through Promotion of Access to Health Care.
Early career scholars panel on: The Role of National Academies and Universities in Promoting Human Rights and Enhancing Equality Proceedings Report
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies(IHRN)
The 14th Biennial Meeting of the International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (IHRN) began with an Early Career Scholars Panel, during which up-and-coming scholars deliberated on present-day global human rights issues.
The moderator of the panel was Prof Catherine Burns (Associate Professor of Medical History, University of Witwatersrand) and the panel members were Lt Col Dr Esewu Mxolisi Mathebula (South African Association of PhDs), Mr Michael Martin (New Voices in Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, U.S. National Academies), Prof Mzukisi Njotini (Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Fort Hare, South African Young Academy of Science) and Prof Martha Bradley (Associate Professor in the Department of Public Law, University of Johannesburg, Future Professors Programme).
In this session, the Early Career Scholars gave their perspectives on topics related to the theme of the IHRN meeting, ‘The Role of National Academies and Universities in Promoting Human Rights and Enhancing Equality.’
The session had posed a greater number of questions than it had provided answers for. However, some questions stood out, namely how scholars communicate their scientific knowledge in ways that are respectful and dignified, but still critical and engaged across class, gender, hierarchy and region. ASSAf was acknowledged for bringing scholars and colleagues from learned societies together at this event and addressing current and controversial issues. Science can correct itself only through processes such as this.
ASSAf's First Webinar in the Series on polemics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) titled: AI has gone too far OR has it only just begun
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
ASSAf’s Scholarly Publishing Unit hosted the first webinar in the series on polemics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) titled:
"AI has gone too far OR has it only just begun" on 22 May 2024. This discussion explored the different perspectives on AI's trajectory, looking at both the cautionary stance that fears its unchecked growth and potential harm and the optimistic view that celebrates its achievements and future promise.
Catalysing Change: A Global Health Approach in the Wake of Pandemics
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal (ANSTS) and Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina; Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal (ANSTS); Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS)
Over the past four years, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically disrupted daily life, severely stressed health systems across the globe and exposed stark inequalities in managing global health crises. It has revealed significant shortcomings in disease surveillance and data sharing and highlighted the urgent need to strengthen global health research. The strategy of intensive containment of the COVID-19 pandemic often came at the expense of managing other infectious diseases, such as Tuberculosis and HIV, leading to uneven and nationally focused solutions.
The need to develop a more equitable and unified strategy for global health, particularly in preparing for and responding to future pandemics has become apparent. The webinar on “Catalysing Change: A Global Health Approach in the Wake of Pandemics”, brought together experts from national and international health bodies, the political arena, and the pharmaceutical industry to address the pressing issues of global health politics and pandemic prevention. The webinar focused on ensuring equitable access to medications and vaccines, fostering global health research, and improving surveillance and data-sharing mechanisms. It takes on the conference brief “Global Health Approach for Infectious Diseases – A Proposal for the Next Decade”, a joint publication by the national academies of Ethiopia, Germany, Senegal, and South Africa, which resulted from the workshop “Infectious Diseases beyond COVID-19” in Berlin on 23 and 24 May 2023.
Annual National Scholarly Editors’ Forum (NSEF) Meeting Proceedings Report
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
The National Scholarly Editors’ Forum (NSEF) meeting, an event hosted annually by the ASSAf’s Scholarly Publishing Programme (SPP), took place on 11 April 2024, with a focus on the theme "Easing into Open Science: A guide for editors." This gathering provided an enriching platform for scholarly journal editors to convene, deliberate, and exchange insights on the multifaceted realm of scholarly journal publishing in South Africa.
Public Lecture: Explore the Frontiers of Safeguarding Research Participants with the Application of Research Ethics Principles – Proceedings Report
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) collaborated to host a groundbreaking event centered on the protection of research participants on 20 February 2024. The public lecture and engagement hosted both online via Zoom and at the Protea Hotel Wanderers in Johannesburg, attracted a diverse audience, indicating a strong interest in the topic. The event served as a critical moment for advancing the dialogue on safeguarding research participants, drawing upon the latest CIOMS guidelines and insights from esteemed experts in the field.
Global plans on climate change adaptation
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
In this conversation, hosted by Prof Himla Soodyall, ASSAf Executive Officer, you will be taken on a journey into the world of climate change. Both these scholars have had many firsts not only as women, but as South African scientists on the international stage of climate change.