Science Advice Ecosystem The role of emerging scientists and Young - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

www.sayas.org.za Science Advice Ecosystem The role of emerging scientists and Young Academies Tolu Oni co-Chair, South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) Senior Lecturer, Public Health, University of Cape Town @drtolullah

www.sayas.org.za Existing recognised ecosystem ¤ Advisory councils / committees ¤ National academies ¤ Chief Scientific Officers

Challenges of science advice ¤ Interdisciplinarity ¤ Post normal science: uncertainties, values ¤ Deals with existing and emerging issues of relevance to society across national and international systems ¤ Need public trust

Young Academy ecosystem

National Young Academies Total: At conference: 21 Academies 18 Academies 10 Young 2 Young Academies Academies Courtesy: Global Young Academy. Globalyoungacademy.net

Young Academies ¤ Promote relevance and translation of science for society ¤ Also focus on interdisciplinarity and science policy ¤ Sustained engagement, not limited to critical and potentially controversial moments ¤ Emphasis on Ø increasing societal literacy of scientists Ø Contributing to a critically engaged public ¤ Pro-actively address gender equity ¤ Disciplinary representation across sciences

www.sayas.org.za Science Advice.. ..Society and public opinion matters

Key issues for science advice today ¤ Public support crucial to policy makers and scientists ¤ Routine engagement improves societal literacy ¤ Critical in building trust and important for social license ¤ Science advisors should be representative of all of society across gender and age to increase societal credibility

Feeding the Ecosystem

MYTH “Only a few scientists are lucky to be gifted with the skill to engage society and are suitable to act as science advisors”

Education and training system (1) ¤ A critical part of STEM education should be communicating science to leadership ¤ Science advice part of spectrum of engagement skills needed in scientific education and training ¤ Equip with tools to grapple with the values, ethics and politics in order to engage with policy makers more effectively

Education and training system (2) ¤ Interdisciplinary skills required for both science and science advice ¤ Normalises interacting beyond one’s discipline; a necessary step to interacting, beyond scientific boundaries, and with government

Is Science advice a valued skill in science? ¤ Re-evaluating value placed on having this skill in the scientific culture and academic environment

Why including Young Academies perspectives makes sense ¤ Active engagement ¤ Training in a post-normal era with interdisciplinary expectations and experience ¤ Adaptable and dynamic in approach to science ¤ In tune with emerging issues of societal relevance

Examples of YA in Science Advice ¤ SAYAS: members in ASSAf Standing Committees ¤ Swedish Young Academy: Network for researchers and MPs

Young academies & the science advice ecosystem ¤ Systematic inclusion in advisory structures ¤ Science advice training for young scientists ¤ Academic reward mechanisms to recognise importance of science advice and societal engagement skills to scientific endeavour

Existing recognised ecosystem ¤ Advisory councils / committees ¤ National academies ¤ Chief Scientific Officers ¤ National Young Academies

www.sayas.org.za Thank you tolullah.oni@uct.ac.za @drtolullah