SOUTH AFRICAN RESEARCH CHAIRS INITIATIVE

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FROM SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES TO HOST A SARChI CHAIR IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) was established in 2006 as a

strategic intervention of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) that is

managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF). SARChI is intended to

reverse brain drain in the public academic and research sector. In particular, the

programme is aimed at increasing scientific research capacity through the

development of human capacity and stimulating the generation of new knowledge. It

is designed to significantly expand the scientific research base of South Africa in a

way that supports implementation of the national Research and Development

policies. Since 2006, the funding instrument has awarded 157 Research Chairs in

various disciplines and research fields.

The NRF is inviting applications to host a Chair in Science Communication. The

Chair is fully funded by the DST and will be managed by the NRF under SARChI.

The review and appoval of applications as well as monitoring and evaluation of the

Chair will follow standard SARChI processes outlined in the SARChI Guide for

application.

SARChI Chair in Science Communication

In a democratic society where science should be answerable to the public – without

being directed purely by public impulses - there is a need to find new and innovative

ways of more effective public communication about the benefits and risks associated

 

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with science and technology; research on the teaching and practice of science

communication hence becomes vital.

Through science communication, scientists, policymakers, and others can open up a

productive conversation in the public sphere that can begin to improve citizens’

understanding and appreciation of the value of science, technology and innovation in

daily life, as well as bridging the gap between science and society by empowering

society’s engagement with science-based policy issues.

The primary focus of the Research Chair in Science Communication will therefore be

on capacity building and research regarding: (a) two-way engagements between the

scientific and the non-scientific community in a manner that achieves the critical

exchange of ideas between the two communities; (b) driving research in the areas of

science communication and public understanding of science to develop an

understanding of the diverse multilingual and multicultural complexity of the South

African society in its relationship with science; and, (c) developing capacity for

investigating both the intended and unintended impacts of intensified science

communication.

The NRF is calling for proposals from the 23 public universities to host the Research

Chair in Science Communication. Universities may hold this Research Chair

exclusively or in partnership with a public research institution such as: another

university, a science council, a national research facility or an academic health

complex. Research Chairs are awarded in an open and competitive process and

thus this Chair will not be pre-allocated to any institution. The awarding of the

Research Chair to universities and the approval of nominated candidates will occur

in two phases.

Phase 1 of the process requires the submission of proposals by universities to host

a Research Chair. While it is preferable for the university to have an identified

candidate for the Research Chair, it is however, not a requirement for the university

to provide details of the potential nominee in the Phase 1 proposal to host a

Research Chair. Each university must include in the Phase 1 proposal, details on (i)

 

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its Research Strategy; (ii) Relevant section of the Programme and Qualification Mix

(PQM) approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training showing the

relevant approval section and evidence of relevant qualification/programme to the

Chair; (iii) details of current academic and research staff in science communication

disciplines; and (iv) statistics on research outputs and postgraduate students trained

and graduated for the period 2008 to 2012, in disciplines that can be associated with

science communication.

NOTE: EACH UNIVERSITY MAY SUBMIT ONLY ONE (1) APPLICATION FOR THIS RESEARCH CHAIR.

Following a competitive review process, only shortlisted Phase 1 applications will

proceed to the Phase 2 application phase.

Phase 2 of the process will require the short-listed universities to submit a full

proposal that includes (i) the nomination of a candidate for appointment to the Chair

position; and (ii) a research and activity plan drafted by the nominated candidate.

Only full submissions will be eligible and considered for Phase 2 review. Following a

competitive review process, by subject experts, the Research Chair will be awarded

to the successful university for appointment of the nominated candidate.

Please Note:

1. The signatory of the proposal shall be the University Deputy Vice-Chancellor

responsible for managing SARChI Chairs. Applications that are not duly

signed will not be reviewed by the NRF.

2. The completed application must be submitted electronically on the NRF

Online Submission System at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za not later than the 31 October 2013.  

 

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Contact Persons

Dr Romilla Maharaj, Acting Executive Director: Research Chairs and Centres of Excellence (phone: 012-481 4019; e-mail: Romilla@nrf.ac.za) Dr Linda Mtwisha, Director: Research Chairs and Centres of Excellence (phone 012-481 4014; e-mail: Linda.mtwisha@nrf.ac.za) Dr Bernard Nthambeleni, Executive Director: Grants Management and Systems Administration (phone: 012-481 4182; email: bernard@nrf.ac.za) Mrs Anthipi Pouris, Director: Grants Management and Systems Administration (phone: 012-481 4240; e-mail: Anthipi@nrf.ac.za)