2009 African Science Communication Conference (ASCC)
18-21 February 2009
Gallagher Convention Centre, Gauteng, South Africa
Theme: Shaping Africa's future - science communication's contribution to science, technology and innovation, and the development of democracy in Africa
Conference programme
Wednesday 18 February 2009
08H00 - 16H00
Conference set-up
16H00 - 18H00
Registration in Gallagher Grill foyer
18H00 - 22H00
Official ASCC welcoming cocktail function - Gallagher Grill foyer
Prof. Hassan, a native Sudan, obtained his PhD in plasma physics from Oxford University, UK. Hassan presides over the African Academy of Sciences and is Secretary General of the Third World Network of Scientific Organisations (TWAS). In this session, Hassan will highlight the overall importance of communicating science in an attempt to effect the translation of scientific research away from the traditional bench to library process, but into more utilitarian functions such as the influencing of policy, to facilitate economic growth and innovative thought, and to contribute positively to everyday life. Science Communication is increasingly contributing to ensuring that the science community think beyond their silo'd research disciplines and start collaborating on interand trans-disciplinary research activities. Strong focus will be given to the role of science on economic development and the democratization of society, and how science communication acts as a catalyst for this process.
Official opening of conference by Hon. DST Deputy Minister Derek Hanekom
Parallel session 1 (oral presentations)
Challenges, barriers and potential of integrating science communication in policy making
Session chair - Mr Andrea Bandelli (The Netherlands)
Track # 1 – The translation of science for: a) policy; b) economically viable products or initiatives; c) the facilitation of trans- and inter-disciplinary research; and d) and informed society through the mass media
Integrating public awareness of science and the promotion of science in society into a National Research Facility Science Plan SAIAB, South Africa
Presentation: Ms Penny Haworth
Presenter: Dr Taurai Imbayarwo
The indispensability of tracking scientific output and the critical need for bibliometric databases for Africa Africa Science Trackers, South Africa
Using competitions and debates to develop science communication skills South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, South Africa
Presentation: Ms Ina Roos & Retha Claasen-Veldsman
Presenter: Mr Robert Inglis
Accessible science of Africa – Unlocking the potential of African research. Insights from science communication projects in the fields of radio astronomy, biodiversity conservation, TB in an HIV and AIDS context and genetic ancestry testing. Jive Media, South Africa
Presentation: Mr Robert Inglis
Presenter: Ms Pavitray Pillay
“Thinking green – acting green!” Global change – Green Audit Toolkit for high schools African Centre for Climate & Earth System Sciences & The Marine Research Institute – University of Cape Town, South Africa
Presentation: Ms Pavitray Pillay
Parallel session 3 (round table discussion)
Engaging the media in the scientific research
Session chair – Mr David Kramer (Sci-Bono Discovery Centre)
Track # 1 – The translation of science for: a) policy; b) economically viable products or initiatives; c) the facilitation of trans- and interdisciplinary research; and d) and informed society through the mass media
Prof. Robin Crewe, President of the Academy of Science, South Africa, and Prof. Sospeter Muhongo, Regional Directore of the International Council for Science, will be exploring modern day challenges facing academic research and discuss the role of science communication in addressing these challenges. Issues pertaining to academic accreditation, funding for scientific research, research and academic institutional development, and human capital development will be covered. It is important to consider the role of government, industry partners and civil society organisations' in this process and how engagement across these stakeholders would require the communication of science.
Presentation: Prof. Robin Crewe
Presentation: Prof. Sospeter Muhongo
14H30 - 15H30
Parallel sessions 4, 5 and 6
Parallel session 4 (oral presentations)
Innovative teaching strategies in formal and informal education settings
Session chair – Dr Jabu Nukeri (South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, South Africa)
Track # 2 – Science, engineering and technology human skills development, education and learning
Evolving a science skills development programme for teachers Sci-Bono Discovery Centre – South Africa
Presentation: Ms Thandi O'Hagan
Presenter: Ms Sarah Abel
Chemistry outreach in the Eastern Cape: A science & communication initiative between Rhodes University and Bristol University, UK. Rhodes University, South Africa
Presentation: Ms Sarah Abel
Parallel session 5 (workshop)
The International Year of Astronomy 2009: An opportunity to communicate science
Track # 5 – Research and development in science communication
The Essential Astronomy Outreach Workshop: Using astronomy to communicate science South African Astronomical Observatory – South Africa
Parallel session 6 (workshop)
Knowledge transfer models in health research translation
Track # 1 – The translation of science for: a) policy; b) economically viable products or initiatives; c) the facilitation of trans- and interdisciplinary research; and d) and informed society through the mass media
Millennium development goals and the sustainable management of rivers Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Presentation: Ms Tyhra Kumasi
Presenter: Mr Derek Fish
Perceptions of science in visitors to Unizul Science Centre Unizul Science Centre, South Africa
Presentation: Mr Derek Fish
Presenter: Ms Vanessa Rouhani
Winter school at SAIAB – three years on South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa
Parallel session 9 (round table discussion)
The future of science journalism teaching
Session chair – Ms Charmeela Bhagowat (FrayIntermedia, South Africa)
The future of science journalism teaching in South Africa Southern Science, South Africa
Presentation: Ms Marina Joubert
Presenter: Prof. Gervais Mbarga
New trends in training science journalists in Africa Université Laval, Québec Canada & University of Yaoundé 2, Cameroon
Presentation: Prof. Gervais Mbarga
Prof. Shisana, head of the Human Sciences Research Council, and Prof. MbeWu, head of the South African Medical Research Council, will here highlight the importance of public engagement in academic and applied research. Issues pertaining to communicating scientific process to research participants while conducting research; communicating scientific research to effect attitudinal and behavioural change; showcasing the contribution of applied research to economic growth; separating out corporate communication from science communication; are all issues that will be covered during this session. The scientific community is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of keeping today's more informed taxpayer abreast of research activities and developments. This, in effect, requires a more informed policy maker when making decisions effecting country governance.
Presentation: Prof. Anthony Mbewu
10H30 - 11H00
Morning tea break
11H00 - 12H30
Parallel sessions 10, 11 and 12
Parallel session 10 (oral presentations)
Evaluating the media in order to improve science communication
Content-pattern of agricultural information published by Nigeria newspapers between 1996 and 2005 University Of Ilorin, Nigeria
Presentation: Dr Olufemi Bolarin
Presenter: Mr Danstan Kaunda
Communicating science: the challenges in science and medical journalism in developing African countries Freelance journalist, Zambia
Presenter: Mr Sekoja Phakisi
Infusion of science and technology from ground up:12 year empowerment experience accumulated in Lesotho (1996 - 2008) Appropriate Technology Services, Lesotho
Parallel session 11 (oral presentations)
Students' perceptions of science
Session chair – Mr Lorenzo Raynard (South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, South Africa)
Track # 5 – Research and development in science communication
Science agenda: Contextualising science communications in our environment Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies/ OXFAM GB,South Africa
Presentation: Mr Thulani Cele
Presenter: Ms Charmeela Bhagowat
Two years of the Reporting Science Conference FrayIntermedia, South Africa
12H30 - 13H30
LUNCH
13H30 - 14H30
3rd Key note address
International scientific years – Prof. Maarten de Wit & Mr Kevin Govender
International scientific bodies have been involved in global thrust initiatives where focus is given to specific scientific disciplines. These would include initiatives such as International Polar Year (IPY), International Year of Astronomy, International Year of Planet Earth, International Year of Physics, etc. These have proven successful in extending understanding and awareness of scientific phenomena and there were instances where such thrusts were hallmarks of international cooperation in science. The experience gained by scientists and governments in international cooperation set the stage for other international scientific collaboration. As was the case with IPY, international scientific cooperation paved the way for several political accords that gained their momentum from the polar years. This session aims to discuss how this powerful tool can be harnessed more effectively across the African continent.
Presentation: Prof. Maarten de Wit
Presentation: Mr Kevin Govender
Get SET, Go! - Experiential learning in science centres Sci-Bono Discovery Centre – South Africa
Presentation: Mr David Kramer
Presenter: Ms Penny Haworth
SAIAB's bright sparks development programme as a model for science advancement South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa
Presentation: Ms Penny Haworth
Presenter: Surjit Singh Dabas
Tweaking the young minds: An interactive way to teach science NISTADS, India
Presentation: Surjit Singh Dabas
Parallel session 14 (round table discussion)
Science communication through storytelling
Session chair – Prof. Gervais Mbarga (Université Laval, Québec Canada & University of Yaoundé 2, Cameroon)
Track # 1 – The translation of science for: a) policy; b) economically viable products or initiatives; c) the facilitation of transand inter-disciplinary research; and d) and informed society through the mass media
Science communication through storytelling. Roundtable discussion on the use of stories as an effective medium for science communication Jive Media, South Africa
Presentation: Mr Robert Inglis
Presenter: Dr Pradeep K. Srivastava
Nanotechnology and medical science: challenges ahead Central Drug Research Institute, India
Presentation: Dr Pradeep K. Srivastava
Parallel session 15 (workshop)
Making science popular
Track # 1 – The translation of science for: a) policy; b) economically viable products or initiatives; c) the facilitation of trans- and interdisciplinary research; and d) and informed society through the mass media
Popular science writing: Dinosaurs of Africa University of Cape Town, South Africa
Presentation: Prof. Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan
Presenter: Dr Nonhlanhla P. Khumalo
Seminar on a new South African book: “Genes for Teens” Red Cross Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Presentation: Dr Nonhlanhla P. Khumalo
15H30 - 16H00
Afternoon tea break
16H00 - 17H30
Parallel sessions 16, 17 and 18
Parallel session 16 (oral presentations)
Bridging the gap between science and the public – case studies
Session chair – Ms Retha Claasen-Veldsman (South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, South Africa)
Track # 1 – The translation of science for: a) policy; b) economically viable products or initiatives; c) the facilitation of transand inter-disciplinary research; and d) and informed society through the mass media
The translation of research – Public engagement South African Medical Research Council
Presentation: Ms Debra Railoun
Presenters: Ms Sally Upfold, Colin Dyer & Philip Croft
Communication in crisis – the South African Sirex Control Programme as a case study in communication and collaboration Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South Africa
Presentation: Ms Sally Upfold, Colin Dyer & Philip Croft
Presenter: Dr Chandra Mohan Nautiyal
A logic-based approach to a rumour triggered chaos in Sitapur, India Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, India
Presentation: Dr Chandra Mohan Nautiyal
Parallel session 17 (oral presentations)
Partnering for scientific development
Session chair – Dr Manjusha Joseph (South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, South Africa)
Track # 5 – Research and Development in Science Communication
Mapping the scientific consciousness – research partnership National Institute of Design, India & University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Presentation: Ms Hester du Plessis
Presenter: Mr Nurudean N. Ssempa
Science and technology for improved livelihood Agency for Science and Technology Advancement in Uganda, Uganda
Presentation: Mr Nurudean N. Ssempa
Presenter: Mr Ofer Gon
Fish identification course for DEAT law enforcement officers: communicating scientific principles and methods where none existed South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa
Presentation: Mr Ofer Gon
Parallel session 18 (oral presentations)
Educator's benefiting from scientific research
Session chair – Dr Anitha Ramsuran (Innovation Fund, South Africa)
Track # 2 – Science, engineering and technology human skills development, education and learning
Technology driven innovation: knowledge management for technopreneurial skills development in institutions of higher learning in Harare Harare Polytechnic, Zimbabwe
Presentation: Mr Collence Chisita
Presenter: Ms Kedibone Aphane
Assessing the success of the expert to student knowledge transfer model within South African tertiary institutions South African Medical Research Council
Presentation: Ms Kedibone Aphane
Presenter: Prof. Marguerite Maher
E-portfolios in preservice teacher education as a means of enhancing science communication Charles Darwin University, Australia
Presentation: Prof. Marguerite Maher
17H30 - 18H00
Early evening snack
18H00 - 22H00
Closing ceremony with vote of thanks and handing over of conference position statement to DST Director General / AU representative
Events for 19 February 2009
Listen to opening session
Prof. Mohamed HA Hassan
