Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, UNICEF has installed dozens of handwashing stations at rural schools in South Africa.
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If you saw our earlier post about the Covered, Clean and Caring Covid-prevention campaign we designed for schools and orphan and vulnerable children centres, you’ll know that in 2022 it evolved to focus on mental health.
Covid-19 was one of the toughest challenges South Africa has faced and it taught us lessons we should never forget about the importance of good hygiene and caring for others.
Jive Media Africa’s Science Writer and Editor, Yves Vanderhaeghen visited COP as part of the Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation delegation. Upon his return he shared this short reflection – underlining the importance of Jive’s role in science communication and translation.
Image above: An artwork by the world-famous Keiskamma Art Project in the Eastern Cape was the backdrop to the South African Pavilion at COP28 inspiring hope and action.
COP28 spawned a bewildering number of presentations and debates by an array of organisations and researchers.
It was all too much to take in, and too much to do anything tangible with. But while the big guns were shooting high for global resolutions on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions, it was in the smaller venues that detailed research was engaged with.
Soil, for example. It has everything, when healthy, that the entire edifice of COP is talking about: biodiversity, water, nutrition, sequestered carbon. And yet, how, mused one banker, do we turn it into an asset class to generate the capital for the small farmer, on the one hand, and to do the heavy lifting to mitigate and adapt to climate change, on the other?
Finance came into just about every conversation, as did just energy transition. Transitioning to green energy is one thing, but getting there with jobs to go around is another, vexed issue altogether, and it is putting a brake on climate imperatives.
Teasing out these debates takes some work, and lots of stamina, and Jive Media Africa listened to a lot of hot air, but got some nuggets in the end, of ideas and research which hold the promise of big things, but which need policy makers, and financiers, as well as society at large, to take up with alacrity to make a difference.
We will continue to grapple with these issues, and to support research engagement at multiple levels and in numerous contexts.
There are golden prospects in toxic mining wastewater, and Wits chemistry Master’s student Taskeen Hasrod is setting machine learning loose to dig them out. Read more
“I always jump at any opportunity to talk about my work, but I didn’t know how to get into science communication. Then I attended a FameLab training. I think I’ve found my calling! I want to talk to people about science for the rest of my life.” Read more
UKZN’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) is taking knowledge production to a new level through their Developing Research Innovation, Localisation and Leadership (DRILL) program.
In collaboration with the Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Health (DoH), DRILL aims to identify and nurture the next generation of South African health science research leaders. The skills these researchers develop through the DRILL program will help confront local healthcare challenges whilst keeping South Africa on the forefront of globally competitive research and innovation.
Jive Media Africa has been awarded a 4-year contract, delivering strategic communication and media support in support of the program’s goals. We have been intrinsically involved in the development of the DRILL brand, representing excellence and diversity, as well as a suite of communication tools that position the programme as a significant contributor to health research in South Africa.
Over 5 years, DRILL is to link 20 fellows with leading academics in their fields to develop and boost their existing research capabilities in the interrelated fields of HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, Health Professions’ Education, Health Systems Strengthening and Research Ethics. High-profile mentors will arm each fellow with the necessary skills to lead culturally-aware, locally-valuable research programs that respond to the needs and capacities of the healthcare environment in Kwa-Zulu Natal and wider South Africa. Our valuable science communication training further enables the fellows to share their research with the public in meaningful and engaging ways.
We look forward to supporting DRILL on this inspiring journey towards world class research leadership for South Africa, and beyond.
Sources: 1http://chs.ukzn.ac.za/News/16-07-05/DRILL_for_Research_Excellence
Stories simplify communication. Through emotional connection and simple language, stories can make complex information relatable – resulting in dialogue and transformation.
To share experiences in storytelling and to gain insight from other communicators and researchers, Jive Media Africa presented a number of papers at the Public Communication of Science and Technology Conference 2018 which took place in Dunedin, New Zealand. Jive Media Africa’s work in this area includes comics, music and film among others, bringing researchers and the public together through participatory methods to create compelling media to transform the world.
Presentations included:
- Participatory approaches to science communication. A workshop exploring approaches from Paulo Freire.
- #TheArtofResearch – Collaborations in art and science with comics, music and film.
- Comics as a means of science engagement – a poster presentation on the use of cartoons to explore the invisible world of nanotechnology.
- Stories can save lives: in their own words…experiences of living with HIV.
- Researching marginalised groups with research – a workshop exploring barriers to engagement.
Reaching large audiences with important information is a challenge faced by many government departments. Carefully considered policies can fail at implementation if key audiences remain disengaged. Read more
A palpable chemistry fills the East Rand township of Tsakane as 60 young scientists from 40 countries congregate with enthusiastic young South Africans. The purpose of this meeting? To explore strategies for science outreach and engagement. The result? Inspiration, hope and valuable new perspectives on old challenges.
It is a typical winter day on the East Rand and dodging potholes on dusty streets en route from their conference venue fills 60 young scientists with a sense of uncertainty. However, upon arrival at the African School for Excellence, the excitement is tangible: 50 smartly dressed members from two independent Science Spaza clubs have long awaited this visit.
The delegates are representatives from National Young Academies of Science from over 40 countries in SA for the Third Worldwide Meeting of the Young Academies of Science, a conference aimed at fostering global cooperation and networking amongst young scientists. A number of questions are on their minds, which have triggered this outreach and engagement with young science learners: Where are the spaces for scientists to engage with the public? How can scientists talk to young people to inspire them towards careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)? And how can they, in turn, hear about the challenges young people face?
The afternoon’s meeting is the initiative of the South African Young Academy of Sciences (SAYAS), which partnered with Science Spaza, a science clubs programme to facilitate the proceedings. Soon, the air is teaming with paper planes (hands-on activities are the hallmark of the Science Spaza experience) and attendees of all ages explore the complex scientific principles at play.
The ice is broken and invigorating inter-generational discussions unfold: the older delegates ask young learners how they motivate themselves, and what their biggest obstacles are on the path to achieving their dreams. Their responses include lack of parental support for science, inadequate funding, a lack of belief in themselves and the need for clear focus.
The scientists share their experiences of overcoming these obstacles with perseverance, hard work, goal setting and choosing the right support systems. There is also important advice about avoiding risks and pitfalls – including early pregnancy.
The learners challenge the scientists on the continued development of an HIV cure, the consideration of environmental impact and the importance of remaining curious – relevant and inspiring insights stemming from the experiences of living in under-resourced and vulnerable environments.
The insights from the Science Spaza clubs are testament to the success of the program. Science Spaza brings science directly to the public through activity-based learning resources, addressing the desperate shortage of opportunities for young people to undertake hands-on science learning in South Africa. The national network of over 150 self-initiated science clubs, an initiative of science communication agency Jive Media Africa, is an open invitation to young South Africans to form their own science clubs and receive resources and support. Science Spaza does all it can to facilitate science-society dialogue and advocates awareness and debate amongst its members in pursuit of tangible solutions.
The 3rd Worldwide Meeting of the National Academy of Sciences, which took place in Johannesburg from 20 to 21 July was hosted by SAYAS, an affiliate organisation of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). SAYAS represents the voice of young scientists in South Africa on national and international matters and provides a platform for young scientists to influence policy decisions.
The meeting was co-hosted with the Global Young Academy (GYA) which is a global body that represents the voice of young scientists around the world. It works to empower early-career researchers to lead international, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational dialogue by developing and mobilising talent from six continents. Its purpose is to promote reason and inclusiveness in global decision-making.
As the sun drops low, Tsakane is bathed in golden light and the delegates board their busses. Many are about to embark on journeys to the other side of the world. They are taking with them the hopes and dreams of the next generation of South African scientists. Scientists and science club members are already thinking of ways to make the world a little bit better and a little bit safer, for all of us.
