SAASTA's Highlights Report celebrates the Year of Crystallography 2014

Crystallography underpins many scientific fields, yet scientists say it rarely garners the attention it deserves in its own right.

"It has had an enormous impact, yet there's so little known about it in the public domain," says Peter Strickland of the International Union of Crystallography. The United Nations declared 2014 as the International Year of Crystallography (IYCr2014).

Exploring synergies

SAASTA decided to dedicate its Science Engagement Highlights Report to crystallography, not only because of the stunning visuals the topic presented, but also because major objectives of the IYCr2014 correspond with SAASTA's own mandate.

The IYCr2014 objectives are to:

• increase public awareness of the science of crystallography and how it underpins most technological developments in our modern society;
• inspire young people through public exhibitions, conferences and hands-on demonstrations in schools; and
• promote education and research in crystallography and its links to other sciences.

In this issue of the Highlights Report you can read how SAASTA managed to reach almost 847 000 people in South African communities between April 2013 and March 2014; and how the organisation has managed to increase the national momentum of science engagement in the country, together with its strategic partners.

You can read the report online, or order your own copy from SAASTA.