Introduction

Science communication and transformation policy frameworks in South Africa

In South Africa, the proliferation of the multifaceted science communication agenda has seen calls for action from the national government for scientists and researchers to demonstrate the broader societal impact of their research. The impact involves bridging the longstanding gap between science and South African society through a myriad of platforms, tools, and formats as reflected in the National Research Foundation (NRF) Strategy 2025 (NRF, 2020), National Development Plan (NDP): Vision 2030 (NDP, 2012), and the Department of Science and Technology (renamed Department of Science and Innovation [DSI] in 2019) policies and strategies (DSI 1996, 2015, 2019). It was envisaged that closing the gap between science and society would help build a transformative and effective National System of Innovation (NSI) for the country's sustainable development, progressive democracy, and the growth of a literate, informed society. The 1996 white paper on science and technology, ‘Preparing for the 21st century’ (DSI, 1996), had long provided the overarching science, technology, and innovation (STI) vision for South Africa in the post-apartheid era. The white paper demonstrated the national government's commitment to supporting and advancing the science communication agenda in South Africa after the country became a democracy in 1994. The policy document further paved the way for policy and programmatic frameworks for science and society engagement in South Africa. To begin this process, in 1998 the first national series of public science events was launched as part of a year-long programme – ‘Year of Science and Technology’ (YEAST). The programme was launched by the DSI (then the Department of Arts, Culture, Science, and Technology). YEAST was celebrated through various science communication platforms. It became an annual event that rapidly grew in size and scope across the country. Subsequently, the science promotion directorate was established, and various strategies, interventions, and institutions at the government level to support the science communication agenda have been developed. Resources have been allocated towards these priorities. However, these development plans were enacted without a coordinated national strategic framework at the policy, implementation, and programmatic delivery levels.

The adoption of the National Science Engagement Strategy (SES) in 2015, followed by its Implementation Plan in 2017 and its 2020 Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks, marked a milestone in advancing and consolidating the thrust of the science communication agenda in the country (DSI, 2015, 2017, 2020).