B. Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Events
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This community contains non-peer reviewed slide sets (PDF format) and audio/video recordings (MP4 format) from events and presentations during those events, and in which ASSAf participated or where ASSAf was represented. The content of the collections listed have not been peer-reviewed, but it is believed that it can contribute to the academic discourse, and be used in the advancement of science and discussions/decisions around science.
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Item The threat of academic xenophobia to the future of South African universities(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022-11-24) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Webinar presented on 24 November 2022 as part of the 9th ASSAf Presidential Roundtable series. The 9th ASSAf Presidential Roundtable Discussion topic is “The Threat of Academic Xenophobia to the Future of South African Universities”. The more visible signs of xenophobia happen on the streets of South Africa and are sometimes violent and disruptive. But universities as institutions have not been immune to what we call academic xenophobia. The dialogue brought together experts to discuss the latest data on African scholars and scientists in South African universities, their experiences on campuses throughout the country, and what can be done to develop a progressive employment regime that is built on the academic values of the modern university. The Panellists included Prof Evance Kalula (Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Cape Town), Ms Nicole Fritz (Director, Helen Suzman Foundation), Dr Precious Simba (Lecturer, Department of Education Policy Studies, Stellenbosch University) and Prof Sakhela Buhlungu (Vice Chancellor, University of Fort Hare). The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) runs these series of ASSAf Presidential Roundtables on Science, Scholarship and Society bi-annually and are hosted and moderated by ASSAf’s President, Prof Jonathan Jansen. The roundtables are an evidence-based dialogue that brings together experts and stakeholders to address critical issues affecting society at large and are of interest to a broad audience.Item Annual National Scholarly Editors’ Forum (NSEF) Meeting(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022-11) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)ASSAf’s Scholarly Publishing Programme (SPP) hosted its annual National Scholarly Editors’ Forum (NSEF) two-days meeting on 21 and 22 November 2022. The NSEF annual meeting is an opportunity for scholarly journal editors to interact on issues pertaining to scholarly journal publishing in South Africa. This year’s meeting was themed ‘The latest trends and challenges in the rapidly changing world of scholarly publishing’.Item The uptake of science, technology and innovation by sector departments(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and Quantitative Evidence Research hosted a seminar titled “The Uptake of Science, Technology and Innovation by Sector Departments” on 20 July 2022, virtually, as part of the Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) seminar series. The IID seminar series is one of the instruments designed to inform and influence the uptake of demonstrated innovation and technologies by other sector departments. The DSI has undertaken twelve (12) IID seminars in partnership with ASSAf, however, the integration of these technologies by various government departments in their policies and programmers is unknown. The partners went on to commission Quantitative Evidence Research to conduct a policy research study to ascertain whether departments are responsive to STI and open to innovation uptake. The report is available at https://research.assaf.org.za/handle/20.500.11911/249 The objective of the seminar was to provide a platform to share recommendations from the study based on policy document analysis and a survey of twelve (12) sector Departments; to create awareness in order to encourage sector Departments, both national and provincial, to adapt STIs in their policies and programmes; and also to encourage other sector Departments to participate in the next phase of the study.Item Impact of climate change on food systems: Using transdisciplinary science to drive mitigation and adaptation solutions to protect and promote health(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); InterAcademy Partnership (IAP); Network of African Science Academies (NASAC)A recent systems-based approach to tackling climate change and health issues, from the global InterAcademy Partnership and its regional academy networks, examined how science can guide innovation, policy and practice for climate mitigation and adaptation. Among adverse climate change effects are those mediated by multiple impacts on food production and, consequently, on health and livelihoods. Outputs from the global assessment and specifically from Africa will be presented to exemplify the diverse challenges and opportunities to identify and implement solutions, integrated between agriculture and other sectors, at all levels of governance.Item SA Launch IYBSSD 2022(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022-08) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Department of Science and Innovation (DSI); National Research Foundation (NRF)This roundtable discussion formed part of the launch of the SA International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD 2022). More information can be accessed at https://iybssd.africa/. Programme: 1. Moderator: Prof Himla Soodyall, Executive Officer, Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); 2. Opening remarks: Mr Imraan Patel, Deputy Director-General: Research Development Support, SA Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to accelerate innovation to achieve the SDGs/ Dr Sudesh Sivarasu, Co-chair: South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS); Using science to inspire the next generation of scientists (focus on equity)/ Dr Beverley Damonse, Group Executive: Science Engagement and Corporate Relations, National Research Foundation (NRF); Public engagement of science/ Dr Nnditshedzeni Eric Maluta, HoD and Coordinator: Vuwana Science Resource Centre, University of Venda.Item Health Research and its contribution to South Africa’s democracy(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022-08) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Freedom of speech encompasses freedom of research and is an important component of any democracy. Health research, and communication around this research, have contributed to strengthening South Africa's democracy. Generally, COVID-19 research has been well disseminated and discussed openly, between scientists, civil society and government. To this extent, COVID-19 related health research can be said to have strengthened the functioning of our democracy. However, the pandemic has bought to the forefront important questions about the role of health research in a democracy. This webinar explored: 1) The extent to which the discussion around health research during COVID-19 excluded other research voices from the mainstream. 2) The extent to which health research should be a matter of discussion amongst non-specialists? Should there be limits on information shared/discussions held? 3) In an environment of the free flow of information, does the way in which health research information is shared enhance or undermine our democracy? 4) How does the dissemination of health research information affect the relationships between scientists, government and civil society?Item National Scholarly Book Publishers’ Forum (NSBPF) Conference: Local content, global reach: the value of South African scholarly publishers(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)ASSAf’s Scholarly Publishing Programme (SPP) hosted its National Scholarly Book Publishers’ Forum (NSBPF) conference on 25 July 2022. Scholarly book publishers present the foundational research that is drawn upon by policymakers, journalists, authors and researchers across the globe. ASSAf’s NSBPF is a representative body of publishers dedicated to the promotion of the scholarly book publishing sector in South Africa. The conference aimed to raise awareness of the contribution made by South Africa’s scholarly publishing sector to its national research mission to promote an understanding of the rigour of its processes, and to create a better understanding of the need for resource allocation to ensure its ongoing survival.Item Highlights of the 2021 webinar series on reducing poverty and inequality in South Africa post-COVID(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII); Bureau for Economic Research (BER); SARChI Chair in Social Policy at the University of South Africa (UNISA)The Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality (SCSfRPI) is a committee of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). In July 2020, the ASSAf Council mandated the committee to focus on poverty and inequality concerning the pandemic and consult interdisciplinary science on reducing poverty and inequality. In response, the SCSfRPI conceptualised a webinar series that delved into the following themes: 1. What to do to reduce poverty and inequality? 2. How to fund interventions to reduce poverty? 3. What must be done if the state is to be capable of poverty and inequality reduction? These clips provide a summary of the discussions during the entire webinar series.Item The uptake of science, technology and innovation by sector departments(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) & Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)Webinar presented on 20 July 2022. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is an important construct in South Africa’s policy discourse as illustrated in key national planning frameworks, such as the National Development Plan (NDP) and the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation. The White Paper focuses on the use of STI to accelerate inclusive socio-economic growth, transformation and to respond to the global technological advancement, such as 4th industrial revolution (4IR). Furthermore, the White Paper seeks to ensure that all departments working in areas that affect STI are open to innovation uptake and that there is policy coherence across the national innovation system (NSI). The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is committed to ensuring that STI is integrated into the planning of relevant government departments and STI programmes. The Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) seminar series is one of the instruments designed to inform and influence the uptake of demonstrated innovation and technologies by other sector departments. The DSI has undertaken twelve (12) IID seminars thus far in partnership with the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) since inception in 2018, however, the integration of these technologies by various government departments in their policies and programmers is unknown. It is on this basis that the DSI and ASSAf commissioned Quantitative Evidence Research to conduct a policy research study to ascertain whether departments are responsive to STI and open to innovation uptake. The objective of the event is to share the preliminary report and recommendations based on policy document analysis and a survey of twelve (12) sector Departments. It is envisaged that the event will create awareness to encourage sector Departments, both national and provincial, to adapt STIs in their policies and programmes and also to participate in the next phase of the study. National and Provincial Government departments, policy and decision-makers and the public are encouraged to participate in the webinar. The IID seminar series is a project initiative of the DSI Programme 5, designed to provide a platform for open and collective thinking between the science policy and community of practice to generate evidence-based knowledge on Science and Technology (S&T) innovations to advance local economic development and also provide insights to support evidence-based policy and decision making to enhance service delivery.Item The Human Costs of Climate Change(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2022) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Webinar presented on 14 July 2022 as part of the 8th ASSAf Presidential Roundtable series.