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
ASSAf Humanities Book Award Lecture by Dr Dariusz Dziewanski
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
The series of lectures serve as a continuation of the award ceremony, providing the award winners with a platform to present their journeys and motivations behind their books, discuss the societal impact of their work, and share the personal influence it has had on their lives. This lecture is aimed at enhancing the recognition of the exceptional scholarly contributions made by Dr Dariusz Dziewanski who was awarded the 2023 Humanities Book Award prize in the Emerging Researcher Category. With his book Gang Entry and Exit in Cape Town: Getting beyond the streets in Africa’s deadliest city, Dr Dariusz Dziewanski provides a detailed qualitative account of what it is like to join and later disengage from gangs in Cape Town. Through the life histories of 24 former gang members, Dariusz seeks to understand the structural forces that push people into gangs and street culture, as well as the potential pathways that gang members have for escaping the streets.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Mental Health Care and Policy: Bridging the Gap in Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho and South Africa
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Incorporating indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) into mental health policies poses challenges throughout Africa. Existing health policies often fall short of comprehensively tackling mental health, neurological and substance use disorders. In Africa, traditional health practitioners (THPs) play a crucial and pivotal role in public health management, as well as health care practices, but are not adequately recognised in public health policies. The session aimed to consider ways of integrating them more effectively into policy.
The session also aimed to explore the intersection of IKS in mental health care and policy across the four countries. The initiative formed part of the Science Advisory and Strategic Partnership Programme of ASSAf.
The objectives of the session were as follows:
• To deliberate on the role of traditional practitioners in mental health care and their contribution to holistic healing practices.
• To explore the integration of THPs and indigenous practices in national mental health policies and their acceptance within the broader healthcare community.
• To identify opportunities for meaningful integration.
• To work towards establishing a platform for mental health stakeholders within the SADC region.
• To share experiences, identify common ground, and address gaps in mental health, decision making and policies.
Explore the Frontiers of Safeguarding Research Participants with the Application of Research Ethics Principles
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
Professor Hans van Delden, who is the former President of the Council of International Organisations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS), brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the event. His insights into the latest CIOMS Guidelines offered participants a unique opportunity to learn from a distinguished figure in the field of medical ethics. The public lecture explored the frontiers of safeguarding research participants, using the latest CIOMS Guidelines.
Global Health Approach for Infectious Diseases – A Proposal for the Next Decade
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa; German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina; Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal; Ethiopian Academy of Sciences
The German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the Académie Nationale des Sciences et Techniques du Sénégal (ANSTS), and the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) jointly hosted a workshop in May 2023 on "Infectious Diseases beyond COVID-19" at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, Germany.
The objectives of the workshop were to deliberate on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and to formulate strategies for enhancing preparedness in the face of both existing and future infectious disease threats, with emphasis on the "One Health" approach and the interplay of climate change. Academia, private enterprises, non-governmental organisations, and political sectors participated in the workshop.
Herewith the Conference brief is provided to highlight key recommendations.
ASSAf Statement in Support of Open Science and Impact, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (IDEIA)
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); SciELO Network
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the SciELO Network, the coordinators of the national collections of quality, full-text Open Access journals from the 14 countries of the SciELO Network agreed on this statement. The ASSAf Council endorsed this statement on 25 October 2023.
A Review of Research, Development and Innovation of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies in South Africa
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
This report supports the high-level agreement between South Africa (through the DMRE) and the IAEA by providing a solid foundation upon which a national strategic framework on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies in South Africa can be built. The objectives of the study were to review relevant current and historical national policies, plans and strategies; review the national landscape of existing and emerging RDI role players and activities in the country; develop baseline information around the nuclear technology landscape to assist with targets and indicators for monitoring and evaluation; review the Country Programme Framework (CPF) between South Africa and the IAEA and make recommendations on how the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme could be leveraged to strengthen the nuclear technology sector in South Africa; and make proposals on how to define a South African nuclear technology RDI flagship programme.
Characterisation of the needs and gaps contains the following elements:
• a brief explanation of the need setting out the context in terms of the severity and relevance.
• a strategic objective to be achieved; and
• an indicator, or indicators, for the proposed objective.
The study was divided into six broad areas, namely:
• agriculture and food security,
• human health,
• radiation protection,
• water and environment,
• energy and industry,
• nuclear safety, security and safeguards.
African Open Science Platform PART II: Frameworks
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2019) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Proceedings of thematic session: Establishing an African knowledge democracy for increased social justice and development
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Quest Volume 19 Number 4
(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023-12-14) van Rensburg, Johnny Jansen; Namawejje, Hellen; Seetharam, Yudhvir; de Wit, Christo; Hansson, Johan; Mngwengwe, Luleka; Lugongolo, Masixole; Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience
Money 101: Going from pocket money to a salary, a budget and life savings; The basics of the economy – and you: From inflation to interest rates to tax...; The not-so stoic investor: Your personality and emotions play a role in investing; ChatGPT and investing: Can ChatGPT help me to invest?; Crypto isn’t dead: The basics of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investment; Opinion piece: Only degrowth can save us; 2023 NSTF Brilliants Programme: Turning a scientific idea into a business; Pollen-savvy with AI:SA scientists using Artificial Intelligence to improve pollen forecasts; Citizen bird science in KNP: Citizen science and satellite data shed light on bird diversity in Kruger National Park; The light electric: Photonics and electronics is all around you; Ocean-friendly shark fence: Eco-friendly shark barrier technology from South Africa installed in the Bahamas; Biodiversity Biobanks: An insurance policy for the future of nature; FameLab 2023 winner: AI researcher crowned SA’s top young science communicator; Solve for Tomorrow schools competition: Winning school showcases innovative pothole solution; Ancient diamonds: Old diamonds shine light on the evolution of Earth’s continents; Electric minibus taxis: On the bumpy road to electric mobility in SA; South African women in science, take a bow!:2023 L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science winners announced;