bridging the divide between science and politics annual meeting of the african science academy...
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Bridging the divide between science and politics
Annual Meeting of the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI)
Royal Society, London, 5 November 2008
David Dickson, Director, SciDev.Net
www.scidev.net
Science PoliticsKnowledge-drivenObjectiveLong-term goalsContext independentMeritocratic
Policy/power-drivenPersonal/IdeologicalShort-term goalsContext dependentAutocratic/democratic
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Researchers 288 46.7%
Intermediaries 214 34.7%
Policy-makers 113 18.3%
Total sample size: 617.
Overview of respondents
Number % of total
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Evidence-based policy-making is poorly institutionalised in developing country contexts
Theme 1
Fig. 1. Satisfaction with degree to which policy is based on ST&I evidence (all respondents)
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Obstacles to uptake of scientific information in development policy-making
Scientific understanding by policymakers is low 64%
Limited openness by politicians 61%
Lack of dissemination of research findings 59%
Lack of incentives 56%
Lack of institutional channels for incorporation 44%
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• Lack of formal mechanisms for integrating scientific knowledge into policy.
• Policy priorities often drive the use of research, rather than research stimulating policy recommendations.
Implications
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Audience-appropriate information targeting is imperative
Theme 2
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• ST&I information must be targeted to the needs of actors in the policy process
• Mst also target the stage in the policy process at which actors use such information.
Implication
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Intermediary organisations are needed as knowledge brokers for researcher and policy-making communities
Theme 3
50%
65% 67% 65%
52%
58% 56%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Identifying important
actors in the process of
policy making
Networking between
scientists and policy makers
Disseminating information
Building capacity
among policy makers to use
scientific research
Representing the views of
policy makers and scientists
Advocating for specific use of
scientific knowledge in
policy
Mediating between the
goals of researchers and policy
makers
Most Important Roles for Intermediary Organisation
Fig. 14 Potential knowledge services that could be provided by a web-based intermediary organisation
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
News items on relevant ST&I developments
News items on relevant policy initiatives and proposals
News items about approaches taken by other countries regarding their use of ST&I to tackle
development problems
Opinion articles written by experts on topics relevant to policy issues
Policy briefs from authoritative sources
Review of policy instruments which have been used by other countries
E-mail updates on areas of interest
Interactive web-based discussion forums
78%
76%
81%
87%
80%
75%
73%
54%
75%
81%
77%
72%
79%
72%
66%
28%
Percentage of Respondents
Developed Countries Developing Countries
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Interaction and deliberation, rather than just research dissemination, is needed to bridge the ST&I researcher/policy-maker gap
Theme 4
Fig. 10 Types of information found useful by policymakers in development policy decision-making
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Policy-engaged scientists are critically important
Theme 5
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Scientists should provide research findings only
Scientists should provide opinions and advocate policy
positions in addition to research findsings
17%
49%
14% 13%
Global South Global North
Fig. 3 Scientists as neutral information providers or also engaging in policy debates
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• Strong desire from Southern policy-makers for scientific findings to be complemented by policy-relevant recommendations.
• Policy-makers and development practitioners would make greater use of scientific research findings if scientists engaged more openly with the policy implications, and present policy options.
Implications
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• Politicisation of science.
• Scientisation of politics.
Dangers!
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Improving public understanding of ST&I will facilitate better policy dialogues [and help avoid previous two dangers]
Theme 6
Fig. 11 Extent to which respondents believed that increased participation from a scientifically informed public will lead to improved development
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• Strong interest by both policy-makers and researchers in greater public participation in ST&I-related policy debates
• This requires initiatives to improve public understanding of ST&I to promote a more informed and engaged public.
Implications
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Policymakers at all levels need accurate, timely, concise and reliable information about potential role of science and technology in meeting development objectives.
In brief:
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Public understanding of, and engagement in, S&T ensures open and democratic debate about the promises they offer – as well as their transparent governance of their potentially negative consequences.
In addition:
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Eliminating transaction of costs of sharing information opens up new opportunities for effective science communication.
Promise of the world wide web:
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What we are and what we do
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To act as a basic resource for policymakers and stakeholders concerned with science and development issues.
To achieve this by providing a combination of topical and background information that is both authoritative and accessible
Our role:
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Our activities:
1. Operating a free-access website (www.scidev.net) containing news, views and analysis about science and technology in the developing world.
2. Organising regional workshops and other activities – including internships – to enhance the capacity of science journalists and others (including researchers) to provide reliable and authoritative information on such issues
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Our website contains
• News
• Feature articles
• Opinion articles
• Weekly editorial
• Dossiers (including commissioned policy briefs)
• Notices (including lists of meetings, grants and jobs)
• Links (e.g. to scientific organisations and journals)
• Feedback from users
Capacity-building workshops
These are intended to help build capacity in developing countries to report accurately on science and technology and their contributions to development.
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• Full operation since 2001• 36,000 registered users (8,000 in sub-
Saharan Africa) • >2/3 (69% in developing countries)• 28,000 visitors per week• > 100 freelance contributors around the
developing world
Operating data
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SciDev.Net is supported by the journals:
Academy of Sciences of the Developing World
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SciDev.Net is currently funded by:
• UK Department for International Development (DFID)
• Swedish International Development Agency (Sida/SAREC)
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs (DGIS)
• Swiss Development Agency (SDC)
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For more information, and to register to receivefree weekly email alert, visit us at:
Thank you!
London, 5 November 2008
For information about workshops and other activities, contact me at: