Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society DEFINITION OF A SCIENCE ACADEMY Academies of science, medicine and engineering can be found in most of the world’s countries. They are typically independent, self-perpetuating national institutions that rec- ognise excellence and achievement. Academies are merit-based, with members select- ed from among the leading scientifi c, medical and engineering minds within a country. (Partnership, n.d.) Sir Michael Francis Atiyah, brilliant mathematician and one of the founders of the fi rst global network of science academies, the InterAcademy Panel (IAP), believes it is the role of a science academy: to provide independent critique and ideas; to relate to the government of the day, but to remain independent of it; to relate to the public; and to establish interdisciplinary links; and he adds a science academy is not a ‘trade union’ for scientists. Many models of national science academies exist, ranging from those that have only an honorifi c function to those that have both an honorifi c and a science advisory role, to those that include under the academy umbrella, a range of research institutes engaged in primary research. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has adopted the ‘working Academy model’, similar to that of the Royal Society (London) and the United States (US) National Academies, widely regarded as the international leaders and the ‘gold standard’ in combining the honorifi c and science advisory functions. Their impartial and respected voices carry weight in government circles and it is such academies that ASSAf aims to emulate. Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society VISION The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) aspires to be the apex organisation for science and scholarship in South Africa, recognised and connected both nationally and internationally. Through its Membership, which represents the collective voice of the most active scholars in all fi elds of scholarly enquiry, ASSAf aims to generate evidence- based solutions to national problems. Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society MISSION The mission of the Academy is to: | recognise scholarly achievement and excellence in the application of scientifi c think- ing for the benefi t of society; | mobilise Members to ensure that they are available to contribute their expertise in the service of society; | conduct systematic and evidence-based studies on issues of national importance, producing authoritative reports that have signifi cant impact on policymaking; | promote the development of an indigenous system of South African research publica- tions, increasing their quality, visibility, accessibility and impact; | publish science-focused periodicals that will showcase the best of southern African research to a wide national and international audience; | develop productive partnerships with national, regional and international organisa- tions with a view to building our capacity in science and its application within the National System of Innovation (NSI); | create diversifi ed sources of funding for sustainable functioning and growth of a na- tional academy; | communicate effectively with relevant stakeholders through various media and fora. Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society HISTORICAL TIMELINE Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................7 Acknowledgements........................................................................9 Foreword ........................................................................................ 10 Preface .......................................................................................... 12 Introduction ................................................................................... 15 Part A: South Africa’s First Unifi ed Academy of Science Arises in an Interplay of Historical Forces ..............................17 Chapter 1: Early Beginnings in a Unique Crucible ..............19 Two bodies aspiring to the same role for almost 100 years ...........19 An additional academy devoting itself largely to societal benefi t and transformation ................................................................20 Out of the crucible – a new science academy for a new South Africa ..........................................................................................20 The Academy of Science of South Africa is fi nally realised ..........21 A more detailed history of science academies in South Africa ...22 Chapter 2: The Case for a New Academy..........................35 Informal meetings sponsored by the FRD get the ball rolling .......35 A planning committee: A suitable basis for further action ............36 Consultation beyond the existing academies ................................37 Plan to create a unitary academy of sciences ..............................39 Facilitating committee: Further evolution of the basic nature of the proposed academy ................................................................42 Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society A Constitution is agreed .....................................................................46 Nominees raise their concerns ..........................................................46 100 Founder Members are elected in a two-stage process .........46 Chapter 3: The Academy of Science of South Africa is Launched in March 1996 ....................................................49 A spot is secured in President Mandela’s diary ...............................50 Scientifi c thinking for the good of society ........................................54 The embryonic Academy does some soul-searching ...................55 Financial constraints ............................................................................59 The balancing act that all science academies have to perform .............................................................................................60 Chapter 4: In Service of Society ............................................62 Applying Scientifi c thinking in the Service of Society The ASSAf Constitution ........................................................................62 Governance, Membership and elections to ensure continuity ...63 The Academy becomes statutory through an Act of Parliament ............................................................................................63 A new team takes over the reins ......................................................65 Dramatic events in Parliament ..........................................................66 Chapter 5: Setting up the Machinery with Help from Friends ..............................................................................69 Infrastructure: Striving for a solid base .............................................70 US NAS gives sound advice................................................................71 Professionalising the secretariat ........................................................73 Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society Chapter 6: Strengthening African Science Academies and Entering the Global Arena .............................................75 A brief history of a continent-wide academy of sciences for Africa .....................................................................................................75 US National Academies approach the Gates Foundation for funding ..................................................................................................75 ASADI is born ........................................................................................76 ASSAf is selected as one of the intense developmental partners .................................................................................................76 Regional conferences to strengthen relationships .........................78 ASADI is reviewed and declared a success, ASADA takes over the reins .................................................................................................80 A Network of African Science Academies is realised ....................81 Early signs of international cooperation ...........................................82 Chapter 7: A Seismic Shift in the Academy’s Role and Impact ..............................................................................83 An engine of excellence in scholarship and intellectual cooperation .........................................................................................83 Clarifying the niche of the Academy ...............................................84 Part B: Delivering on its Mandate ..........................................87 Chapter 8: Unleashing ASSAf’s Full Intellectual Capacity ......................................................................... 88 The transformation imperative ..........................................................88 Drawing in the humanities and social sciences ..............................89 Targeted drives to increase the pool of black and women candidates ............................................................................92 Advancing Scholarship: Serving Society A bright future beckons. The onus is on us, through hard work, honesty and integrity, to reach for the stars Nelson Mandela Becoming a multidisciplinary apex organisation ............................96 Education critical to meeting demand for STEM-capable workforce ...................................................................97 Transforming into an Academy of the people