developing science science for development presenter: brian porter manager, network and information,...

Developing Science

Science for Development

Presenter: BRIAN PORTERManager, Network and Information, IFS

Rountable Conference: Developing Countries Access to Scientific Knowledge

ICTP, Trieste, Italy, October 2003

International Foundation for Science

International NGO - founded 1972

Research grants to young scientistsin developing countries

Basic biological sciences

Over 5,000 grants, more than 100 countries

Max $12,000 – renewable twice

Over 1,000 active advisers

Supporting activities

International Foundation for Science

Mission

IFS shall contribute towards

strengthening the capacity of developing

countries to conduct relevant and high

quality research on the sustainable

management of biological resources

International Foundation for Science

Scientific areas supported

Aquatic Resources Animal Production Crop Science Forestry / Agroforestry Natural Products Food Science Water Social Sciences (in relation to biological

resources)

IFS Impact Studies (MESIA)

MESIA: Monitoring and Evaluation System for Impact Assessment

developed by JACQUES GAILLARDformer Deputy-Director, IFSand IFS Secretariat

MESIA Impact Studies

Components

Overview of S&T activities in country

Statistical analysis of IFS grant applications and IFS grantees

Questionnaire survey

Bibliometric study

Interviews

MESIA Impact Studies

Reports

No. 1 MESIA Framework and Guidelines

No. 2 Questionnaire Survey of African Scientists

No. 3 IFS Impact in Mexico

No. 4 Strengthening Scientific Capacityin Tanzania

No. 5 Scientific Research Capacityin Cameroon

Reports 1-5 are available on IFS web: www.ifs.se

MESIA Impact Studies

Main findings

IFS grantees remain active researchers in own country (reduced brain drain)

IFS grant had significant impact on career

IFS grantees publish more frequently and more often in mainstream journals

Internationalisation of many grantees’ careers

Increased collaboration with other scientists

More success accessing further funding

MESIA Impact Studies

Additional findings

Scientists in sub-Saharan Africa identified lack of access to scientific knowledge as a key hinderance to research

Grant applications (to IFS) from sub-Saharan Africa of lower quality than other developing regions

Less access to Internet in sub-Saharan Africa

IFS has decided to focus efforts on countries with vulnerable science infrastructure, especially SSA

Project:

ICT and Internet Support for African Scientists

Partners:

INASP International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications, Oxford, UKwww.inasp.info

ICTP Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italywww.ictp.trieste.it

IFDC-Africa International Institute for Soil Fertility Management, Lomé, Togowww.ifdc.org

ICT and Internet Support for African Scientists

Overview

For smaller research institutions in sub-Saharan Africa

Build ICT infrastructure and Internet connections

Train scientists and other staff

Digitalize libraries and ’grey literature’

Collaboration via Internet

ICT and Internet Support for African Scientists

Rationale

Access to scientific publications in sub-Saharan Africa very low

Scientific publications exist on Internet – many free for developing countries (see PERI Project at www.inasp.info, also SciDev.net)

Many university Internet connections overloaded

ICT and Internet Support for African Scientists

Infrastructure

LANs (Local Area Networks) at institutions

Internet connection with most appropriate technology(radio, satellite, etc)

Appropriate bandwidth for scientific research

ICT and Internet Support for African Scientists

Training

Computer literacy for all staff

For scientists: computer modelling, statistics, biometrics, proposal writing

For library staff: digitalizing library catelogues and institution’s own research material

Appropriate training for networkadministrators and administrative staff

ICT and Internet Support for African Scientists

Expected outcomes

More creative use of existing data and less repetitive collecting of data

Creation of African scientific content available via Internet

Higher proficiency in research proposal writing

Higher quality research

Collaboration on national, regional and global projects (eg GFIS – Global Forestry Information System)

Thank you for your attention

International Foundation for ScienceKarlavägen 108, 5th floorSE-115 26 StockholmSweden

tel: +46 8 545 818 00email: info@ifs.seweb: www.ifs.se

Brian Porterbrian.porter@ifs.se