A. Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Publications
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Item 20 Years of Excellence 1996 - 2016(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2016) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)20 Years of Excellence 1996 – 2016 recounts the 20 years of ASSAf’s existence since the early 1990s when trailblazers in academia gave of their time and energy to realise a dream of establishing a fully representative, national academy of science to guide the democratic South Africa into a promising new era. From drafting a constitution for the Academy; putting in place the mechanisms, statutes and machinery needed to run a working national academy of science, ASSAf’s remarkable journey testifies to perceptive vision to ensure a legacy of knowledge. Since its inception, ASSAf has grown from a small, emergent organisation to a well-established academy. It has pursued its mandate of providing evidence-based science advice in support of policy development on issues of national significance to government and beyond. The book describes the early beginnings to define and form a unique crucible, through to creating a unitary academy of sciences, encompassing all science disciplines.Item 3rd South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) Science and Society Symposium - Science and (Un)Certainty: Exploring Science, Knowledge Production, Communication and Uptake in a Post-Truth World(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018-06) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report is the summary of the meeting proceedings of the 3rd South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) Science and Society Symposium which took place from 8 – 9 March 2018 at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU), Port Elizabeth, South Africa.Item 3rd Worldwide Meeting of National Young Academies: One Health – Health and Development(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018-03) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report is the summary of the meeting proceedings of the Third Worldwide Meeting of National Young Academies which took place from 20 to 21 July 2017 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, South Africa. This meeting was hosted by the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and co-organised by the Global Young Academy (GYA).Item The 5th National Global Change Conference; Transformative Futures for Water Security Seminar(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The 5th National Global Change Conference organised by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), in partnership with the University of the Free State (UFS), took place at the Bloemfontein Campus of the UFS, from 30 January to 2 February 2023. The central theme of the 5th National Global Change Conference was: “Research and Innovation Accelerating transformations to global sustainability”. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) jointly hosted a hybrid special session titled, Transformative Futures for Water Security on 31 January 2023. The objectives of the session were to; 1. Obtain sector grounded suggestions to climate change adaptation for the water sector, and 2. Identify data and information gaps under the cloud of climate change to influence planning for a water secure future. This Special Session provided a multisectoral dialogue on South Africa’s water future and adaptation to the influence of climate change. The engagement proposed and discussed actions required nationally and regionally to strengthen water security in the face of global change. The following key recommendations were tabled from the session: 1. Engagement with communities to promote conservation of water resources must be a priority. 2. Municipalities need to develop own groundwater strategies to inform groundwater utilisation. 3. The process of transforming the water sector should be taken to local communities. 4. Water use quotas need to be stricter. 5. The implementation of solutions from the research community is commonly hindered bureaucratic processes; there needs to be means to minimize red tape.Item 7th Annual South African Young Scientists' Conference 2016, Human Rights(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2016) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report stems from proceedings from the 7th Annual Young Scientists’ Conference held on 6 to 7, October 2016 where human rights in general, and the rights of scientists in particular, were addressed by some 80 young and early career researchers. The conference was hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), Gender in Science, Innovation, Technology and Engineering (GenderInSITE), the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World South Africa National Chapter (OWSD-SANC) and the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR). Human rights are fundamental rights of all human beings regardless of nationality, sex, race, religion, language or any other status. In South Africa, the Bill of Rights forms the cornerstone of democracy. The Bill of Rights enshrines the rights of all people in South Africa and affirms the democratic values and principles of human dignity, equality and freedom. In order to achieve these values in South Africa and in the African continent in general, citizens have to promote and respect the culture of human rights. In addition, they should promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights. This report articulates the written, oral and poster presentations at the conference which revolved around four sub-themes, namely Human Rights in Africa: Context and Universality, Social and Scientific Dimensions of Human Sexual Diversity, Redress of Colonial Heritage in Promoting Human Rights in Africa, and the Relationship between Science and Human Rights in Africa.Item 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.Item Academic Freedom Statement From The Academy Of Science Of South Africa (ASSAf), published in the SAJS, v106(3/4), 2010.(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2010-04-13) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This Statement was published in the South African Journal of Science, 106(3/4), (2010). Academic Freedom statement from the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2010. https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10172Item 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).Item Addressing the global challenges of multimorbidity – lessons from South Africa(Academy of Medical Sciences, 2016) Academy of Medical Sciences; Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The main objective of this workshop was to consider the burden of multimorbidity in South Africa and the UK, and ask how we can achieve a more coherent and consistent approach to defining, researching, and addressing multimorbidity. The workshop brought together experts and evidence from South Africa, the UK and other countries on the prevalence, burden, and determinants of multimorbidity. The aims of the workshop were as follows: • Identify gaps in our knowledge on the basis of the available evidence and identify the associated research priorities required to address them. • Consider how health systems in both the UK and South Africa are currently dealing with multimorbidity, and in particular discuss the key challenges and the costs and financing issues associated with multimorbidity – particularly in light of efforts to achieve universal health care. • Consider lessons that can be learned by each country from the other. • Ask how we can achieve a more coherent and consistent approach to defining, researching, and addressing multimorbidityItem Advancing multisectoral and life-course approaches in mental health research(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS)Although there is some evidence of increasing investment, mental health services are a neglected aspect of healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.* However, the COVID-19 pandemic – and control measures associated with it – has shone the spotlight on mental health challenges and their human, social and economic costs. The impact of the pandemic has highlighted the importance of the biopsychosocial model of mental health, which recognises that mental wellbeing is affected by the interplay between ‘internal’ biological and psychological factors and ‘external’ social, political, and environmental influences. For the latter, the social determinants of mental health concept highlights how a wide range of external factors across several domains have a critical impact on mental wellbeing. Interventions targeting social determinants or structural factors have the advantage of potentially delivering benefits to large numbers for prolonged periods. In November 2022, the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of South Africa jointly organised a workshop to explore ways to advance multisectoral and life-course approaches in mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa. In breakout groups, workshop participants discussed successful examples of mental health research in sub-Saharan Africa, similarities and differences across countries, and how greater collaboration could advance multisectoral and life-course approaches to mental health research. These discussions highlighted a range of key themes: • Strengthening and diversifying data sources: Participants suggested that, in some settings, additional data are needed on disease burdens, priority populations and social determinants of mental health which could be used to support advocacy, target action and guide the development of new interventions. As well as epidemiological data, long-term longitudinal data could provide insights into pathways to mental health impact and identify potential points of intervention. • Developing consistent, locally defined, standardised and appropriate metrics for valued outcomes: Delegates stressed the importance of consistency in approaches across studies, and use of contextually validated and standardised measures, to ensure quality and facilitate comparisons and data pooling. These measures need to be culturally relevant and meaningful to people with lived experience, capturing broader social and economic outcomes alongside clinical improvement. It is also important to capture qualitative as well as quantitative inputs through these metrics. To promote a life-course perspective, measures need to be suitable for use beyond the traditional focus on working-age adults. • Promoting translational development: The need for additional research across the translational spectrum was highlighted, including more evaluation of ‘grass-roots’ initiatives, additional confirmatory and larger-scale studies following promising pilot studies, and implementation/operational research to accelerate introduction and scale-up of evidence-based policies and interventions. It was argued that interventions should prioritise integration with existing health system and community platforms, and adopt people-centred approaches. • Strengthening partnerships to achieve the above: Participants identified interdisciplinary and multisectoral collaborations as critical to progress, potentially supported by an integrated conceptual framework to facilitate cross-sectoral interdisciplinary research programmes and intervention development. Strengthened collaboration within the region and internationally, through equitable international partnerships with a commitment to capacity-building, was seen as fundamental. Participants also stressed the need for a systems-based approach and engagement with all relevant actors, including members of the public, the informal health sector (such as traditional and faith healers) and the private sector where appropriate. • Building relationships with people with lived experience to ensure input at all stages: Delegates highlighted the critical importance of engaging with people with lived experience, to provide opportunities for meaningful inputs at all stages of research, including prioritisation of research questions and co-creation and delivery of interventions. • Optimising the mental healthcare workforce: Strengthening and building workforce capacity in mental health were seen as high priorities. Mental health specialists are few in number in the region and further research on strategies such as task-shifting, and scaling up of proven task-shifting interventions, could help to address large treatment gaps. Participants also suggested that there is a need to promote skills development to support greater service and multi-sectoral integration, task shifting, and mental health awareness across relevant sectors. • Supporting advocacy to promote the above: Delegates identified the need for the research community to engage with policymakers to understand their needs and provide evidence-based inputs, to leverage the mainstream media to translate messages for more general audiences, and to work with people with lived experience to achieve co-ordinated and more effective advocacy. By strengthening ties – within Africa and internationally – the mental health research community in the region will be better placed to share knowledge and experience, develop joint and multicentre studies, and raise the profile of mental health research among politicians and policymakers. In doing so, they can help to close the mental health care gap and build a field with the capacity to enhance mental health for all and at all stages of life.Item African Academy Development: Strengthening Southern African Development Community (SADC) Science Academies for better service to society workshop(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), SADC Secretariat, and Lesotho Academy for Science and Technology (LAST) jointly hosted a SADC Academies Workshop on 5 December 2022 on the sidelines of the World Science Forum 2022. The Workshop was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa at the Park Inn Hotel. The workshop objective was to facilitate the strengthening of Academies’ role in the development and utilization of the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem, as well as policy formulation and implementation. Academies from eleven SADC Member States, DSI, SADC Secretariat, and United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (UNTB LDC) participated in the workshop. The UNTB LDC and the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) have been instrumental partners in establishing science Academies in Angola, Lesotho, Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi. The Angola Academy of Science (AAS), LAST, and Botswana Academy of Science as some of the recently established academies presented on respective progress to date. Progress by the newly established Academies was appreciated as successful and it was agreed that more needs to be done collaboratively to support these Academies, including joint fund raising and science advisory activities with older Academies. Additionally, it was agreed that the African Academy has to establish and strategically maintain partnerships with policy makers (government), business, civil society, and STI ecosystem if the role and value of Academies is to be strengthened. As a workshop outcome, a SADC Academies Working Group was established to steer the crafting of guidelines; the group consists of ASSAf, LAST, Academy of Sciences in Malawi, Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of Sciences, Academie Congolaise du Sciences, Zimbabwe Academy of Science, and SADC Secretariat. Additionally, UNESCO, NASAC, and UNTB LDC will be invited into the Working Group as they are key partners in operationalization of the African Academy.Item African Open Science Platform Part 1: Landscape Study(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2019-08) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report maps the African landscape of Open Science – with a focus on Open Data as a sub-set of Open Science. Data to inform the landscape study were collected through a variety of methods, including surveys, desk research, engagement with a community of practice, networking with stakeholders, participation in conferences, case study presentations, and workshops hosted. Although the majority of African countries (35 of 54) demonstrates commitment to science through its investment in research and development (R&D), academies of science, ministries of science and technology, policies, recognition of research, and participation in the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), the following countries demonstrate the highest commitment and political willingness to invest in science: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. In addition to existing policies in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), the following countries have made progress towards Open Data policies: Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda. Only two African countries (Kenya and South Africa) at this stage contribute 0.8% of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to R&D (Research and Development), which is the closest to the AU’s (African Union’s) suggested 1%. Countries such as Lesotho and Madagascar ranked as 0%, while the R&D expenditure for 24 African countries is unknown. In addition to this, science globally has become fully dependent on stable ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) infrastructure, which includes connectivity/bandwidth, high performance computing facilities and data services. This is especially applicable since countries globally are finding themselves in the midst of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), which is not only “about” data, but which “is” data. According to an article by Alan Marcus (2015) (Senior Director, Head of Information Technology and Telecommunications Industries, World Economic Forum), “At its core, data represents a post-industrial opportunity. Its uses have unprecedented complexity, velocity and global reach. As digital communications become ubiquitous, data will rule in a world where nearly everyone and everything is connected in real time. That will require a highly reliable, secure and available infrastructure at its core, and innovation at the edge.” Every industry is affected as part of this revolution – also science. An important component of the digital transformation is “trust” – people must be able to trust that governments and all other industries (including the science sector), adequately handle and protect their data. This requires accountability on a global level, and digital industries must embrace the change and go for a higher standard of protection. “This will reassure consumers and citizens, benefitting the whole digital economy”, says Marcus. A stable and secure information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure – currently provided by the National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) – is key to advance collaboration in science. The AfricaConnect project (AfricaConnect (2012–2014) and AfricaConnect 2 (2016–2018)) through establishing connectivity between National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), is planning to roll out AfricaConnect 3 by the end of 2019. The concern however is that selected African governments (with the exception of a few countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia and others) have low awareness of the impact the Internet has today on all societal levels, how much ICT (and the 4th Industrial Revolution) have affected research, and the added value an NREN can bring to higher education and research in addressing the respective needs, which is far more complex than simply providing connectivity. Apart from more commitment and investment in R&D, African governments – to become and remain part of the 4th Industrial Revolution – have no option other than to acknowledge and commit to the role NRENs play in advancing science towards addressing the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals). For successful collaboration and direction, it is fundamental that policies within one country are aligned with one another. Alignment on continental level is crucial for the future Pan-African African Open Science Platform to be successful. Both the HIPSSA ((Harmonization of ICT Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa) project and WATRA (the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly), have made progress towards the regulation of the telecom sector, and in particular of bottlenecks which curb the development of competition among ISPs. A study under HIPSSA identified potential bottlenecks in access at an affordable price to the international capacity of submarine cables and suggested means and tools used by regulators to remedy them. Work on the recommended measures and making them operational continues in collaboration with WATRA. In addition to sufficient bandwidth and connectivity, high-performance computing facilities and services in support of data sharing are also required. The South African National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System (NICIS) has made great progress in planning and setting up a cyberinfrastructure ecosystem in support of collaborative science and data sharing. The regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) Cyber-infrastructure Framework provides a valuable roadmap towards high-speed Internet, developing human capacity and skills in ICT technologies, high-performance computing and more. The following countries have been identified as having high-performance computing facilities, some as a result of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) partnership: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia. More and more NRENs – especially the Level 6 NRENs (Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and recently Zambia) – are exploring offering additional services; also in support of data sharing and transfer. The following NRENs already allow for running data-intensive applications and sharing of high-end computing assets, bio-modelling and computation on high-performance/supercomputers: KENET (Kenya), TENET (South Africa), RENU (Uganda), ZAMREN (Zambia), EUN (Egypt) and ARN (Algeria). Fifteen higher education training institutions from eight African countries (Botswana, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania) have been identified as offering formal courses on data science. In addition to formal degrees, a number of international short courses have been developed and free international online courses are also available as an option to build capacity and integrate as part of curricula. The small number of higher education or research intensive institutions offering data science is however insufficient, and there is a desperate need for more training in data science. The CODATA-RDA Schools of Research Data Science aim at addressing the continental need for foundational data skills across all disciplines, along with training conducted by The Carpentries programme (specifically Data Carpentry 10). Thus far, CODATA-RDA schools in collaboration with AOSP, integrating content from Data Carpentry, were presented in Rwanda (in 2018), and during 17-29 June 2019, in Ethiopia. Awareness regarding Open Science (including Open Data) is evident through the 12 Open Science-related Open Access/Open Data/Open Science declarations and agreements endorsed or signed by African governments; 200 Open Access journals from Africa registered on the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ); 174 Open Access institutional research repositories registered on openDOAR (Directory of Open Access Repositories); 33 Open Access/Open Science policies registered on ROARMAP (Registry of Open Access Repository Mandates and Policies); 24 data repositories registered with the Registry of Data Repositories (re3data.org) (although the pilot project identified 66 research data repositories); and one data repository assigned the CoreTrustSeal. Although this is a start, far more needs to be done to align African data curation and research practices with global standards. Funding to conduct research remains a challenge. African researchers mostly fund their own research, and there are little incentives for them to make their research and accompanying data sets openly accessible. Funding and peer recognition, along with an enabling research environment conducive for research, are regarded as major incentives. The landscape report concludes with a number of concerns towards sharing research data openly, as well as challenges in terms of Open Data policy, ICT infrastructure supportive of data sharing, capacity building, lack of skills, and the need for incentives. Although great progress has been made in terms of Open Science and Open Data practices, more awareness needs to be created and further advocacy efforts are required for buy-in from African governments. A federated African Open Science Platform (AOSP) will not only encourage more collaboration among researchers in addressing the SDGs, but it will also benefit the many stakeholders identified as part of the pilot phase. The time is now, for governments in Africa, to acknowledge the important role of science in general, but specifically Open Science and Open Data, through developing and aligning the relevant policies, investing in an ICT infrastructure conducive for data sharing through committing funding to making NRENs financially sustainable, incentivising open research practices by scientists, and creating opportunities for more scientists and stakeholders across all disciplines to be trained in data management.Item African Open Science Platform PART II: Frameworks(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2019) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Item Africa’s Commitments and Actions of the Issue of Climate Change and Global Warming(Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), 2016) Network of African Science Academies (NASAC)Item 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.Item ASSAf and SciELO Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools and Resources in Research Communication(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The purpose of these guidelines is to guide scholarly journals, book publishers, preprint platforms, and data collectors on the use of content generated by AI applications4 in scholarly communication. These guidelines offer suggestions for updating the Guidelines to Authors section of journals and books, as well as for the internal management of manuscript submissions, evaluation, and final version editing by the editors of the journals or books. They provide standards and practices for authors, editors, and reviewers regarding the use of AI tools and resources in research communication.Item ASSAf Distinguished Visiting Scholar (DVS) Programme 2023/24(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) hosted Prof Loretta Baldassar as the 2023/24 ASSAf Distinguished Visiting Scholar (DVS). The DVS Programme took place on 12 - 27 March 2024. Prof Baldassar delivered a series of lectures under the theme “Transnational Family Care: from social death to digital kinning over a century of Australian migration” at various institutions across five Provinces: the universities of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Limpopo (UL), Free State (UFS), Rhodes, Stellenbosch and University of Cape Town (UCT). She also engaged with emerging academics at these institutions as part of her research capacity development work, drawing on the tools and insights of social network analysis (SNA). Prof Baldassar is Professor of Anthropology and Sociology, Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Research Fellow, and Director of the Social Ageing (SAGE) Futures Lab at Edith Cowan University (ECU). The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) annually invites one or more distinguished scholars from abroad to present lectures at various higher education institutions around the country. The scholars are internationally prominent academics who are inspirational speakers and usually with an ability to bridge the divides between disciplines. The purpose of the Distinguished Visiting Scholars’ Programme is to fulfil one of the Academy’s strategic goals, viz. the promotion of innovation and scholarly activity. Through interaction with distinguished individual scholars from around the world, ASSAf aims to enrich and stimulate research endeavours at South African higher education and research institutions. Scholars from the humanities disciplines are invited in alternate years.Item 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 NetworkOn 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.Item ASSAf Statement on Academic Freedom and the Values of Science, 25 May 2020(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2020) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) wishes to record its grave concerns about the political attack on one of its Members, Professor Glenda Gray.Item ASSAf Statement on Nuclear Energy Safety(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2012) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)