Academy of Science of South Africa
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Roundtable on Advancing multisectoral and life-course approaches in mental health research
Full text link14 PagesThe Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the UK Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) jointly hosted a workshop in November 2022 on Advancing multisectoral and life-course approaches in mental health research and have produced a proceedings report capturing the deliberations and recommendations.
The outcomes of the workshop were discussed at the ASSAf/AMS
roundtable as part of the SA Mental Health Conference. The need for multisectoral and interdisciplinary approaches to research aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of citizens in Africa was highlighted. The Roundtable session provided an important opportunity to network and discuss the research that would best achieve this.
The purpose of the Roundtable was to share the findings of the ASSAf/AMS proceedings report (November 2022), to deliberate on the key findings of this report as they pertain to the current state of mental health research in South Africa, to identify challenges, and to
determine key stakeholders needed to address these challenges. It also aimed to encourage debate with delegates on practical ways to translate available research findings into action which improve the lives of citizens across the region
Addressing the Recent Measles Outbreak in South Africa
Full text linkMP4 video, Size: 1.09 GB (1 177 100 117 bytes); Duration: 01:31:01South Africa is grappling with a notable resurgence of measles, a highly contagious viral infection that poses a serious threat to public health. This recent measles outbreak has raised concerns about immunisation coverage, healthcare infrastructure, and the broader impact on community well-being. As a means of contributing to the discussions, ASSAf hosted a webinar on the 23rd of October 2023 to understand the factors contributing to this resurgence, to explore successful strategies employed to contain and manage measles outbreaks and to potentially propose recommendations for immediate response and long-term prevention strategies to curb the measles outbreak and prevent future recurrences.Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf
2023 World Food Day Webinar on “Opportunities towards Sustainable Food Security in South African Urban Settings”
Full text linkMP4 Video; Size: 347 MB; Duration 11:38:26World Food Day (WFD) is celebrated across 150 countries yearly on 16th of October. The theme for 2023 is Water is life, water is food: leave no one behind. The campaign intents to raise awareness worldwide on water as a foundation of life and food. According to the United Nations (UN), 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries (1), while 3.2 billion people live in agricultural areas with high water scarcity (2). These water constraints have a negative impact on food security and nutrition.
In South Africa a notable proportion of the population is food insecure (3) with over 60% of these households located in urban areas. The City of Cape Town (11,6%) and the City of Johannesburg (11,5%) have the highest proportions of households that experienced hunger in all the six metros. Urban food insecurity is characterised by low dietary diversity, high malnutrition and obesity, and distinct hunger seasons. It is estimated that by 2050, eight in 10 people will be living in urban areas, which means that the prevalence of food insecurity within urban Southern African communities will increase. There is therefore an urgent need to develop policies and solutions to address this “looming crisis” and to manage the water-food nexus in a more sustainable and equitable manner.
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the Green Youth Network (GYN) partnered to host a webinar on the 3 November 2023 to commemorate WFD 2023 titled “Opportunities towards Sustainable Food Security in South African Urban Settings”. The dialogue aimed to explore youth-centric solutions that have a potential to strengthen food security in South African urban surroundings, taking into consideration the challenge of water scarcity while leaving no one behind.
The Webinar featured the following speakers: Prof Marizvikuru Mwale-Manjoro (University of Venda and SAYAS Alumni); Dr Nathaniel Dlamini (Statistics South Africa; Ms Thandeka Nkosi (KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development); and Mr Reuben Riley (Biological Agricultural Era, BioAge). Participants included academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, women, youth, policy makers and the public.Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Green Youth Network (GYN
ASSAf’s Institutional and Public Engagement Roadshows (Connecting Science to Society): ASSAf and SAYAS Visit to the University of Limpopo
Full text link5 pagesThe Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) is the official national science Academy mandated to promote and inspire outstanding achievements in all fields of scientific enquiry and to grant recognition of excellence. ASSAf is a Membership based entity currently comprising 658 Members who represent the collective voice of the most active scholars in all fields of scholarly enquiry. ASSAf hosts the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), which represents early career and emerging scientists and researchers. ASSAf and SAYAS Membership are utilised as a collective resource to provide evidence-based solutions to national problems.
ASSAf in partnership with SAYAS initiated the 2023 roadshows to engage institutions of higher learning and other science, technology and innovation (STI) institutions nationwide. The aims of the roadshows are: to increase the visibility of ASSAf and SAYAS; and their standing as well as activities in promoting the value of science in society. The first ASSAf roadshow was held at the University of Limpopo (UL) on 15 to 17 March 2023. The roadshow began with an information session with students and staff members at the university, followed by science engagement sessions at the UL Science Centre with staff, teachers and learners from Klass Mothapo Secondary School, Mankweng District in Limpopo. The roadshow brought increased awareness about ASSAf and SAYAS and provided both Academies with opportunities to increase their membership from UL; and to partner with UL, local high schools and the community on various activities.Department of Science and Innovation (DSI
ASSAf Webinar for New Editors – Scholarly Publishing Code of Best Practice
Full text linkMP4 video, Size: 600 MB, Duration: 2:17ASSAf webinar hosted by the Scholarly Publishing Programme staff for new journal editors on 22 March 2023. The aim was to provide new editors of South African scholarly journals with the tools to implement publishing best practice and to boost their confidence as editors
The 5th National Global Change Conference; Transformative Futures for Water Security Seminar
No full text12 pagesThe 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
SciELO 25 Years Seminar: Artificial intelligence and associated tools and policies in editorial decision making
Full text linkMP4 video, Size: GB; Duration: 01:56:19Researchers began experimenting with ChatGPT when it was released in November 2022, looking at ways how they could benefit, and how it could support writing systematic reviews, literature searches, summarising academic articles, etc. which many publishers wanted to reject before the trend gained traction and other publishers drafting guidelines on the proper use of this technology. This webinar was hosted on 29 of June 2023 and is aimed at discussing and gaining clarity on various issues such as editorial and publishing policies, research processes, and plagiarism.Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf
Quest Volume 19 Number 1
Full text linkDepartment of Science and Innovation; Academy of Science of South Afric
The effects of war in Ukraine on oil price and SA economy
No full textMP4 Video; Size: 5.51GB; Duration: 01:20Please cite as: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2022). The effects of war in Ukraine on oil price and SA cconomy. [Online] Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/238This webinar was presented by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) on 5 May 2022. It is the 4th in a series of Annual ASSAf Business Leadership Forums. Panellists: Mr Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist: Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz); Prof Nicola Viegi, South African Reserve Bank Chair: Monetary Economics, University of Pretoria; Prof Heinrich Bohlmann, Department of Economics, University of Pretori
The uptake of science, technology and innovation by sector departments
Full text link40 pagesPlease cite as: Academy of Science of South Africa & Department of Science and Innovation (2022). The uptake of science, technology and innovation by sector departments. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2022/0084The 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.Department of Science and Innovation (DSI