Water Wheel March/April 2025: Science And The Public

Abstract

South Africans have thoughtful, balanced views on science and technology and evidence-based perspectives. The public rated their interest in and knowledge of clean and better water supply and concerns about water shortages highly. These are some of the findings of the South African Public Relationship with Science (SAPRS) survey, many of which she says left principal investigator Dr Vijay Reddy amazed. The survey was commissioned by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and led by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation required the survey, stipulating that South African society needs to understand and value science, engineering and technology for national prosperity and a sustainable environment. The first comprehensive survey to measure South African science knowledge, attitudes, and engagements, conducted in 2022 (to be repeated every five years), was published in December 2024. It was no small undertaking.

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