Recognising individual contributions to collaborative research: limitations of proportional publication counts and proposals for alternatives

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) (2019) ‘Recognising Individual Contributions to Collaborative Research: Limitations of Proportional Publication Counts and Proposals for Alternatives’ doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2019/0058This report was undertaken to determine whether researchers in South Africa who publish within large consortia are appropriately recognised in the South African context, including the systems by which authors are evaluated and rewarded, with specific reference to multi-authored publications. The study sought to establish the current practices in South Africa and compare these with international best practice. Lastly the report provides a number of recommendations to improve this aspect of the current system.Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)National Research Foundation (NRF

Legends of South African Science II

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2019). Legends of South African Science II. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2018/0036After the overwhelming success of Legends of South African Science, published in 2017 as part of the 20 year celebrations of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), this edition of Legends of South African Science II continues with profiling Members who were elected between 1993 – 2000. The 62 Members profiled in this edition represent some of the longest standing ASSAf Members. One of the strengths of a national Academy is the disciplinary diversity of its Membership. Collectively, the narratives of the Members profiled in this edition represent the apex of academic excellence and scholarship. All these Members have used their formal academic training in their specific fields and demonstrated how, through engagement with scholars in other fields, both locally and internationally, contributed to them becoming champions and leaders in advancing knowledge. Every narrative in this edition provides a unique perspective on contributions by accomplished South African scientists and scholars who, using an evidence-based approach have contributed significantly in growing the global knowledge production in their respective fields. Many of these scholars have held senior positions at academic institutions, been part of national and international committees, served at Governmental positions, and worked unstintingly in shaping the agendas of the post-apartheid South Africa. Their stories are fascinating, their contributions to science invaluable, and their service to society diverse and inspiring. It is also touching and inspiring to see how many scientists during this era were supported, inspired and uplifted by the late President Nelson Mandela. They were all committed to building a democratic South Africa, even in the face of many adversities. ASSAf strives in upholding its mandate of using evidence-based science in the service of society.Profiles: Miriam Adhikari, Lewis Ashwal, Saleem Badat, Ahmed Bawa, Solomon Benatar, Arvinkumar Bhana, Nigel Bishop, George Branch, Chris Brink, Peter Cleaton-Jones, Neville Raymond Comins, Richard Cowling, David Dewar, Anton Eberhard, Petra Engelbrecht, Michael Feast, Brian Figaji, Peter Folb, Richard Fuggle, Christoph Garbers, Richard Goldstone, Diane Grayson, Fritz Hahne, Raymond Haines, Manfred Hellberg, Eugene Julies, Johann Kirsten, Jan Malherbe, Vincent Maphai, Anthony Mbewu, Chabani Manganyi, Veronica McKay, Phil Mjwara, Vincent Moran, Johann Mouton, Daniel Ncayiyana, Mokubung Nkomo, Cyril O’Connor, Philip Onyebujoh, Iqbal Parker, Calie Pistorius, Bernard Prior, Mamphela Ramphele, Doug Rawlings, Terence Robinson, Justus Roux, Beric Skews, Hendrik (Hennie) Snyman, Rolf Stumpf, Chris Swanepoel, Nthoana Tau-Mzamane, Petro Terblanche, Jennifer Thomson, Peter Tyson, Annél van Aswegen, Anton van Niekerk, Johan van Zyl, Daan Verwoerd, Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo, David Walker, Patricia Whitelock, David Wood

Quest Volume 16 Number 1 2020

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2020). Quest: Science for South Africa, 16(1). [Online] Available at:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/140This year has been declared the International Year of Plant Health by the United Nations General Assembly, the idea is to raise awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development. In this issue of Quest we show some ways in which scientific research is helping to protect plants from pests and diseases, manage the risks and mitigate the impacts. IPM: Quest explores how Integrated Pest Management helps protect plant health-Fall armyworm in maize: Hannalene du Plessis, Johnnie van den Berg and Annemie Erasmus discuss risk management options-Genetics to the fore: Kirsty Botha tells us how disease resistance in wheat can be improved-Viruses as biopesticides: Michael Jukes and Marcel van der Merwe review progress-Bats versus macadamia crop pests: Sina Weier, Valerie Linden and Peter Taylor share their findings-Remote sensing to the rescue: Christine Cuénod explains how satellite imagery can be used in pest detection-Chemistry for clean air-Local astronomers witness starburst heatwave-Africa’s first PhD in indigenous knowledge of astronomy-UJ take top spots at 3MT-Small science for big innovations: Nicklaus Kruger reports from SA NanoSchool-Decoding the mystery of DNA: René Veikondis and Alvera Vorster give examples of DNA sequencing applications-People and plants in the Stone Age: May Murungi tells us about archaeobotany at Bushman Rock Shelter-Shedding light on point of care diagnostics: The CSIR biophotonics group share their research.Department of Science and Innovation

Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2019). Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2019/0040The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in collaboration with Leopoldina hosted a workshop on Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa from 14-16 November 2018. The purpose of the workshop was to: • Bring together experts and researchers on the use and/or impact of neonicotinoid insecticides in Africa. • Establish a network for information exchange and joint activities • Develop a plan for future activities, their coordination and the dissemination of findings. African economies and societies are greatly dependent on agriculture; thus, the workshop aimed to identify and collate data which would allow the potential risks in Africa to be better evaluated. German government through the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)German government through the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF

South Africa’s Technical Readiness to Support the Shale Gas Industry

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2016). South Africa’s Technical Readiness to Support the Shale Gas Industry. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2016/0003The consensus report titled South Africa’s Technical Readiness to Support the Shale Gas Industry was produced by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), in collaboration with the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE). The report details the interventions that are required. The study was commissioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in 2014 and assesses current available information and technologies in the country should shale gas exploitation be implemented to counter energy challenges. The report was considered by Cabinet on 28 September 2016. The report concludes that much needs to be done to put in place a clear legislative environment and a rigorous regulatory and monitoring structure which will ensure that operators, in using their exploration and production licences, apply best-practice technologies that are fully compliant with the rules and regulations governing the industry. It states that decision-making processes on whether or not to proceed with the development of a shale gas industry must be based on robust and peer-reviewed evidence. Recommendations in the report highlight the need for several baseline studies with a view to improving the current understanding of the extent of the shale gas resources and the status of the local environment in which such developments will take place. Celebrating 20 years (1996 – 2016) in the service of society A key recommendation is that relevant departments, with DST oversight, should initiate a major project to undertake, prior to the commencement of shale gas exploration/exploitation, robust multidisciplinary, regional and local baseline studies. A major priority for the technical readiness of South Africa to implement a shale gas industry is the need to establish processes to continuously and accurately monitor key factors which will impact on the sustainability of the industry. Another requirement is that interventions are made to ensure that the requisite skills and infrastructure required to implement such an industry are available. The Hydraulic Fracturing Monitoring Committee is encouraged to take immediate steps to establish a new, or strengthen an existing, government agency whose overall function is, inter alia, to enable and facilitate the development of the shale gas industry in South Africa. Assessment of the economic implications of shale gas development for South Africa must be undertaken to critically assess the supply-demand situation, and comprehensive public consultation and engagement processes with local communities in the Karoo are emphasised. Of major importance to South Africa’s groundbreaking scientific endeavours on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, the report recommends that any legislation that is introduced to have oversight of the shale gas industry must be fully aligned with the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, and that no hydraulic fracturing should take place within a 30 km buffer zone of an SKA site.Department of Science and Technology. South Africa

Global Mental Health in an Era of Sustainable Development: Research and Policy Priorities

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2020). Global Mental Health in an Era of Sustainable Development: Research and Policy Priorities. Symposium Proceedings. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2019/0060The aim of the symposium was to assess global research patterns and domestic policies aimed at addressing challenges pertaining to mental health. This aim was achieved thorough the following objectives: 1. Scientifically analysing global and regional research developments pertaining to mental health; 2. Identifying current and future research needs and strengthening policy developments; 3. Assessing possible solutions to current challenges as they relate to research and policy on mental health. Title and sub-themes The symposium focused of the following sub-themes: 1) Neuroscience and genetics; 2) Public mental health and epidemiology; 3) Intervention research.Janssen Pharmaceutic

Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2019). Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2019/0054The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in collaboration with Leopoldina hosted a working group meeting on Neonicotinoids and their Impact on Ecosystem Services for Agriculture and Biodiversity in Africa from 13-15 May 2019 at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi. This working group meeting follows from a workshop which was held in South Africa in November 2018. The purpose of this working group meeting was for outstanding experts in the field to collaborate with the project’s scientific director to draft a report that summarises and outlines the state of knowledge on neonicotinoids and their impact on ecosystem services for agriculture and biodiversity in Africa. Furthermore, to draft key recommendations from science to policy-makers on the question of the use of neonicotinoids, and to discuss communication of the results to the relevant political and scientific authorities and the media.German government through the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF

Mobilising Science and Science Academies for Policymaking 2012

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2012). Regulation of Agricultural GM Technology in Africa: Mobilising Science and Science Academies for Policymaking. [Online] Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/81This policymakers’ booklet is produced by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) as part of the project “GMOs for African Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges”. The project was implemented through ASSAf’s Committee on Science for Poverty Alleviation. The project is in its second year of implementation with funding from the Global Network of Science Academies (IAP).The Global Network of Science Academies (IAP) and the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (MAST), the John Templeton Foundatio

Stakeholders Awareness Workshop on the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2019). Stakeholders Awareness Workshop on the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). DOI 10.17159/assaf.2019/0055This was the 2nd of three Innovation for Inclusive Development (IID) seminars held on 02 July 2019, at Future Africa Conference Centre, University of Pretoria, Gauteng by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). The workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the policy intents of the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The White Paper sets a long-term policy direction for the South African Government to ensure the growing role for the STI, which is aligned to developmental challenges of the country. The paper is based on the extensive review of the National System of Innovation (NSI) and focuses on using STI to accelerate inclusive economic growth and to assist South Africa to benefit from global development such as rapid technological advancements, geo-political and demographic shifts. The new White Paper seeks to ensure that South Africa benefits from the potential of STI to advance the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) by instilling a culture of valuing STI, expansion and transformation of research systems, institutional landscape and human resource base of the STI, increased funding and funding efficiencies etc. The outcomes of the workshop will feed into the DSI’s Decadal Plan to direct the implementation plan for the 2019 White Paper on STI. Further engagements will be conducted with stakeholders in preparation for the drafting of the Decadal Plan.Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), South Africa

Report on Peer Review of Scholarly Journals in the Social Sciences and Related Fields

Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2010). Report on Peer Review of Scholarly Journals in the Social Sciences and Related Fields. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf/0032The peer review report entitled Report on Peer Review of Scholarly Journals in the Social Sciences and Related Fields is the second in a series of discipline-grouped evaluations of South African scholarly journals. This is part of a scholarly assurance process initiated by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). The process is centred on multi-perspective, discipline-based evaluation panels appointed by the Academy Council on the recommendation of the Academy’s Committee on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa (CSPiSA). This detailed report presents the peer review panel’s consolidated consensus reports on each journal and provides the panel’s recommendations in respect of DHET accreditation, inclusion on the SciELO SA platform and suggestions for improvement in general. The main purpose of the ASSAf review process for journals is to improve the scholarly publication in the country that is consonant with traditional scholarly practices.Academy of Science of South Afric