Academy of Science of South Africa
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Evaluation of Alternative Telecommunication Technologies for the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area
Get PDFCite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2021).
Evaluation of Alternative Telecommunication Technologies for the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area.
[Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2021/0073The National Research Foundation (NRF) requested the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), on behalf of South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), to undertake an independent and objective evaluation of potential alternative telecommunication technologies for the areas of the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Areas (KCAAA). The study encompasses regulatory, public sphere, and technical dimensions to explore options for maintaining the functionality of the telescope while, at the same time, delivering appropriate connectivity solutions for local communities.The objectives of this study are as follows:1) Assess the technologies currently being, or planning to be, deployed through existing alternative communications programs managed by SARAO, including whether these technologies are comparable with market available technologies that could feasibly be deployed in the KCAAA; and2) Assessment of current and future telecommunication technologies that may act as suitable replacement and/or improvement (functional and feasible) for existing detrimental technologies, utilised in the KCAAA.This report provides a critical background into the relationship between the SKA and local communities as it relates to ICTs in the area. Based on this understanding, potential technology solutions are proposed to ensure residents of the KCAAA are still afforded valuable access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) within the parameters of affordability, desirability and feasibility.National Research Foundation (NRF
Webinar One of a Three-part series: What to do to reduce poverty and inequality? 10 May 2021
Get PDFVideoThe ASSAf Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality (SCSfRPI) has been mandated by the ASSAf Council to focus on poverty and inequality in respect to the pandemic, and to consult interdisciplinary science in the consideration of how to reduce poverty and inequality. In response, the SCSfRPI conceptualised a webinar series that will delve 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?The notion of evidence-based advice received great attention in 2020 as the pandemic spread across the globe, and scientists and decision-makers alike grappled with information and uncertainties in equal amounts. Therefore, the intention of this webinar series is to present on the research findings, options and the debates associated with the webinar theme, with a focus on how to bridge knowledge/praxis gaps. Emphasis will be placed on ways in which scientific endeavour concerning poverty and inequality reduction, largely generated from the social sciences and the humanities, can assist all spheres of government as well as society as a whole.It is especially useful to position debates on poverty interventions in science and data to try to avoid the complexities of value–based normative positionalities. Frequently notions of deserving and non-deserving beneficiaries of charitable relief continue to drive the thrust of poverty reduction policies, even in South Africa, a constitutional democracy, in which justiciable access to socio-economic rights are protected and guaranteed.In this webinar, Prof Servaas van der Berg (SU), Dr Reza Daniels (UCT) and Grace Bridgman (SU) from the NIDS-CRAM will present data from the three survey waves, looking at whether social grants are capable of addressing poverty from the evidence provided. As Discussant, Ms Shirin Motala (HSRC) will present on recent evaluations of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to discuss how and why massified public works could equal or outperform cash transfers as primary policy to reduce or eradicate poverty in South Africa today and going forward to 2030.Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute (SPII
Exploring the Prospects of Using 3D Printing Technology in the South African Human Settlements
Get PDFPlease cite as: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) (2021) Exploring the Prospects of Using 3D Printing Technology in the South African Human Settlements. Available at: https:/doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2021/0074South Africa is a country with significant socio-economic development challenges, with the majority of South Africans having limited or non-existent access to basic infrastructure, services, housing and socio-economic opportunities etc. The urban housing backlog currently exceeds 2.4 million houses, with many families living in informal settlements. The Breaking New Grounds Policy, 2014 for the creation of sustainable human settlements, acknowledges the challenges facing human settlements, such as, decreasing human settlements grants allocation, increasing housing backlog, mushrooming of informal settlements and urbanisation.
The White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), 2019 notes that South Africa has not yet fully benefited from the potential of STI in addressing the socio-economic challenges and seeks to support the circular economy principles which entail a systematic change of moving to a zero or low waste resource-efficient society. Further to this, the Science and Technology Roadmap’s intention is to unlock the potential of South Africa’s human settlements for a decent standard of living through the smart uptake of science, technology and innovation. One such novel technology is the Three-Dimensional (3D) printing technology, which has produced numerous incredible structures around the world. 3D printing is a computer-controlled industrial manufacturing process which encompasses additive means of production to create 3D shapes. The effects of such a technology have a potential to change the world we live in and could subsequently pave the roadmap to improve on housing delivery and reduce the negative effects of conventional construction methods on the environment.
To this end, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) hosted the second virtual IID seminar titled: Exploring the Prospects of Using 3D Printing Technology in the South African Human Settlements, on 01 March 2021 to explore the potential use of 3D printing technology in human settlements.
The webinar presented preliminary findings from a study conducted by UJ, addressing the following topics:
1. The viability of 3D printing technology
2. Cost comparison of 3D printed house to conventional construction
3. Preliminary perceptions on 3D printing of houses
Speakers included: Dr Jennifer Mirembe (NDoHS), Dr Jeffrey Mahachi, Mr Refilwe Lediga, Mr Khululekani Ntakana and Dr Luxien Ariyan, all from UJ. There was a unanimous consensus that collaborative efforts from all stakeholders are key to take advantage of this niche technology.
@ASSAf_Official; @dsigovza; @go2uj; @The_DHS; #SA 3D_Printing; #3D Print_Housing; #IIDDepartment of Science and Technology (DST), South Afric
The Hidden Crisis: Mental Health on Times of Covid-19
Get PDFProceedings Report of the Webinar in The Hidden Crisis: Mental Health on Times of Covid-19The COVID-19 pandemic is most notably a physical health crisis, but it strongly affects mental health as well. Social isolation, job and financial losses, uncertainty about the real impact of the crisis, and fear for physical well-being affect the mental health of many people worldwide. These stressors can increase emotional distress and lead to depression and anxiety disorders. At the same time, there are enormous challenges on the health care side. People in need of mental health support have been increasingly confronted with limitations and interruptions of mental health services in many countries. In May 2020, the United Nations already warned that the COVID-19 pandemic has the seeds of a major mental health crisis if action is not taken.
The panel discussed and analysed mental health in times of the COVID-19 pandemic with reference to South Africa, Nigeria, Germany and Spain.Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Leopoldina, German
Understanding the scourge of predatory journals and conferences in academia
No full textMP4 Video; Size: ; Duration: 01:30:00Presented as part of Science Forum South Africa 2021. This presentation highlights some of the key emerging findings and recommendations of an InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) study “Combatting predatory academic journals and conferences” which will report in early 2022. IAP is the global network of over 140 national academies of science, engineering and medicine who work together on policy issues of vital importance. Predatory journals and conferences are pervading the research enterprise: they are driven entirely by profit and involve some form of deception, such as the false promise of rigorous peer review - a hallmark of academic research. What is more, their tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated and that it is becoming more difficult to distinguish fraudulent practices from low quality or questionable ones. This means that poor science can find its way into the knowledge base and good science can be overlooked when it appears in low credibility journals: if left unchallenged, the implications are profound. The IAP study has been informed by a unique survey of the global research community in which over 1,800 researchers participated. The survey gives a concerning insight into the extent and impact of these predatory practices across the world, what drives them and motivates researchers to use them. By understanding these dynamics and the relative vulnerabilities and exposure to predatory outlets, the survey can help identify the most impactful ways of combatting them. African members of the international working group leading this work provide a preview of the study's findings, including (i) emerging recommendations for key stakeholder communities who play their part in the knowledge ecosystem, such as researchers, research funders, publishers, academic leaders, libraries and indexing services; and (ii) a new spectrum tool designed to assist many of them. An African perspective is prominent in the discussions.
The session explores the following key questions:
1. What are predatory journals and conferences?
2. Why are they on the rise?
3. Why are they important?
4. What can be done to curb them?
5. What resources are available to help researchers and others minimise their risk
Women in Science: Prof Helen Rees
No full textMP4 Video; Size: 255MB; Duration: 0:31Please cite as: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2021). Women in Science: Prof Helen Rees. [Online] Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/206In this video, Prof Helen Rees shares more on her science career as a woman. This documentary formed part of the South African National Science Week from 2-8 August 2021.
In commemoration of women’s day held annually on 9 August and women’s month observed yearly in August, ASSAf’s Phyllis Kalele had a discussion with Prof. Helen Rees to talk about her life’s journey from childhood to being a global renowned public health scientist and her views on women and their role in science. Prof. Rees was elected and inaugurated as a Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa in October 2006. Her election to membership of the country’s national science academy is confirmation that she has been honoured and recognized as one of the most outstanding and celebrated scholars contributing to scholarly activities in her field of expertise in this country to a significant extent. In addition, Prof. Rees is featured in the ASSAf’s first edition of the Legends of South African Science, a book that introduces Academy Members who rank among the top achievers in the country and that provides a unique collective perspective on contributions by South African scientists and scholars.South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA
Astronomy in Africa
Get PDFMP4 Video; Size: 927MB; Duration: 01:08:56Please cite as: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2021). Astronomy in Africa. [Online] Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/226Astronomy is one of the most challenging of all scientific endeavours, requiring technologies and skills that are usually beyond the reach of what is currently available. As such it is a field that pushes the boundaries of human capacity and moves us into new realms of discovery, technology and thought. In this talk Kevin Govender and Vanessa McBride reflect on Astronomy in Africa and explore how this continent has become a global player, if not leader, in this field, and what this means for how the world sees us. They touch on the exciting science being done in Africa; the incredible infrastructure both current and planned; the vibrant and growing network of African astronomers; and the opportunities presented by events like the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), which is to be held for the first time in Africa in 2024
Webinar: Mechanisms, funding and state capability for poverty and inequality reduction (post-Covid) in South Africa
Get PDFWebinarThe 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 will delve 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?This webinar provides a concise recount and summary of the highlights and outcomes of the series, and provided for a candid conversation between experts: did anything new or surprising come out of the discussions; what now and how should the country proceed? The speakers include co-hosts of the individual webinars:1. Ms Isobel Frye Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute
2. Prof Johann Kirsten Bureau for Economic Research, Stellenbosch University
3. Prof Jimi Adesina SARChI in Social Policy, University of South Africa
The discussion was moderated by the Chair of the SCSfRPI, Prof Julian May, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Food Security,
University of the Western CapeAcademy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Department of Science and Innovation (DSI