Publications

Find House of Science's research publications and resources for the general public here.

Science Communication in South Africa

Rejoyce Gavhi-Molefe, M. & Nemutudi, R. (2023). Building Capacity for Science Communication in South Africa: Afrocentric Perspectives from Mathematical Scientists. In E. Rasekoala (Ed.), Race and Sociocultural Inclusion in Science Communication: Innovation, Decolonisation, and Transformation (pp. 63-82). Bristol, UK: Bristol University Press.

Globally, the past decade has seen the proliferation of the science communication agenda across a range of platforms. This book chapter argues that gaps exist between the South African government’s well-developed policy positions and the practical implementation of its scientists’ imperative to deliver, through meaningfully resourced mechanisms, a viable, sustainable, and impactful science communication agenda. The chapter concludes by elaborating how the capacity-building, Afrocentric programme ‘Africa Scientifique: Leadership, Knowledge & Skills for Science Communication’, delivered annually since 2020 at AIMS South Africa and in partnership with African Gong, has demonstrated the potential to address the aforementioned gaps and challenges.

South African Scientists & Science Festivals: Challenges and Transformative Scenarios for Engagement

Gavhi-Molefe, M. R., Jensen, E., & Joubert, M. (2021). Why scientists agree to participate in science festivals: evidence from South Africa. International Journal of Science Education, Part B, 11(2), 127–142.

The recent decade has seen the proliferation of the ‘public engagement’ agenda and the calls for actions from various governments and scientific institutions for scientists to engage with the broader society across a range of platforms as reflected in the science-policy frameworks, both in Africa and globally. For the Department of Science and Innovation Science Engagement Strategy and the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation, public science engagement in South Africa is positioned as a mandatory activity for scientists and organisations that receive public funding. But what are the factors that motivate and/or deter scientists’ interest and willingness to participate in Science Engagement activities such as science festivals? This paper on provides practical insights into country-specific motivations for scientists to engage with a diverse range of audience in South Africa’s annual national science festival, Scifest Africa.