developing science science for development presenter: brian porter manager, network and information,...
TRANSCRIPT
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: [email protected]: www.ifs.se
Brian [email protected]