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

david.dickson@scidev.net

For information about workshops and other activities, contact me at: