Science Forum South Africa: Call for Session Proposals

The Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2024 will serve as a public platform for the biggest gathering of the science community in South Africa. The SFSA 2024 will provide a vibrant, provocative and stimulating programme, including parallel sessions and talks, with the primary aim to ignite conversations about science – innovation and science for humanity. It will bring together a diverse range of speakers and participants, including scientists, policy-makers, industry, science communicators, students as well as civil society. SFSA 2024 will also engage with the international community on many of the conversations.

Open Thematic Sessions

The 2024 edition of SFSA will provide an opportunity for institutions to apply and organise thematic sessions to be included in the main programme. The programme will consist of six sub-themes organised into tracks.

4 December 2024
5 sessions (09:00 – 10:30, 11:00 – 12:30, 13:30 – 15:00, 15:30 – 17:00) per track

5 December 2024
5 sessions (09:00 – 10:30, 11:00 – 12:30, 13:30 – 15:00, 15:30 – 17:00) per track

6 December 2024
1 session (09:00 – 10:30) per track

Sub-themes

Youth in science technology and innovation (STI) and Africa
The track is expected to attract sessions that will delve into different outcomes to increased awareness and recognition of the role of innovation in Africa’s transformation agenda; showcasing impactful projects and initiatives, particularly in the realm of public service delivery, that contribute to sustainable development and social change; and fostering a culture of creativity, problem-solving, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Science, technology and innovation partnerships in G20
The track comes in during South Africa’s chairmanship of the G20 and is expected to bring forth panelists to engage on different topics aligned with the proposed DSI G20 Scientific Committee. The proposed theme to focus on is “an equity and science and innovation-based approach to sustainable development”. The Scientific Committee proposes the following priority areas: open innovation and artificial intelligence; biodiversity information for development; inclusion, diversity, and combatting inequalities in science, technology and innovation. These are to be the centre of the conversations on the panel sessions.

Bridging science and economic diplomacy in policymaking
The track is expected to unravel the utilisation of economic diplomacy to promote scientific cooperation and innovation-led growth. The panel sessions will be expected to delve into potential impacts of policies on both scientific progress and economic growth.

Shaping innovation – Powering industries of the future
The track is expected to ignite conversations on sectors that are essential for sustaining life and economic growth, and leveraging innovation can enhance productivity, sustainability, and efficiency.

Global science for humanity – Agriculture, health, climate change, just transition
The track will encompass a broad spectrum of sessions in addressing pressing global challenges such as agriculture, health, climate change, and the just transition to more equitable and sustainable societies.

Bringing science communication and science journalism together
The track will be in support of the SDCfA hosting the World Conference on Science Journalism in 2025. By bringing science communication and science journalism together, the track a will attract two fields together by leveraging the strengths of each on accuracy and depth, storytelling, engagement, ethics and responsibility.

Thematic Sessions format

• Each parallel session will last 90 minutes.
• Different formats are welcome. Applicants are encouraged to develop their own innovative and creative formats.
• Interactive session formats to engage with the diverse audience at the event.
• The purpose of all sessions should be to ignite conversations about science in an interactive manner, with a multi-stakeholder audience.
• There are a maximum of 5 parallel sessions running at a time.
• SFSA 2024 social media should be used to enhance audience interaction prior and during the session.

Format examples

• Most popular and successful at previous SFSA events: a panel discussion, with a moderator and four panellists. Each panellist speaking for a maximum of 7-10 minutes, before engaging the audience.
• An interactive roundtable – offers a flexible format with space for audience interaction after opening remarks.

Guidelines

• The proposals must integrate cross cutting themes that may include the digital economy, artificial intelligence, social sciences, research ethics, etc.
• All submitted proposals will be reviewed and assessed by the SFSA 2024 Programme Committee.
• The Committee reserves the right to request modifications to proposals prior to final acceptance to the programme.

Selection Criteria

• Relevance to the objectives, main theme and sub-themes of SFSA 2024.
• Overall quality and originality of the proposal.
• Capacity to generate interesting and vibrant discussion.
• Interdisciplinary approach (if relevant, particular attention should be paid to attracting excellent social scientists as well as natural scientists).
• Internationally topical subject.
• Diversity (gender and geographical balance, youth, and young scientists in the panel).
• Multi-stakeholder approach (scientists, politicians, decision-makers and representatives of civil society and industry).
• Capability to attract science media coverage.

Organisational Aspects

• Session proposers are responsible for the organisation of their sessions, including the speakers (panelists) and moderator.
• Avoid more than one panelist from the same organisation.
• Session proposers are encouraged to do session-specific marketing.
• An exciting topic, top quality speakers, and plenty of time for discussions is encouraged.
• A full range of conference facilities will be available.
• The sessions will be in-person at the venue and all speakers are expected to participate in person. In exceptional cases, provision for a pre-recorded input or virtual participation will be accepted.
• Participants are responsible for their costs for attendance (including travel, accommodation and any organisational expenses).

Application timelines

• The call for session proposals for SFSA 2024 has been extended to 30 August 2024.
• Proposals will be evaluated by the SFSA Programme Committee.
• The Programme Committee may request revisions/merging to some proposals.
• The proposal allocation will be announced on 30 September 2024.

Fees

No registration fees are charged.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

To submit your proposal, please complete the form.