A strong relationship between science and society ensures that people are informed about how science and technology can address development challenges. It also enables greater public participation in shaping science policies and priorities. For this HSRC study, researchers used seven indicators and 27 measures to describe the relationship between science and society. This is the first of three articles that present results from the South African Public Relationship with Science 2022 Survey.

In his opening remarks at Science Forum South Africa 2024, Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, launched the results of the first South African Public Relationship with Science (SAPRS) Survey. Nzimande said, “Through our 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation, we committed to creating suitable metrics to gauge our progress in relation to science engagement. We asked the Human Sciences Research Council to independently conduct the SAPRS Survey.”

From its earliest days, the democratic South African state recognised the importance of the relationship between the public and science and technology (S&T). The 1996 White Paper already urged that the National System of Innovation responds to the needs of all South Africans by “… on the one hand using S&T to become economically competitive on a global scale, and on the other hand use (S&T) to provide essential services, infrastructure and effective health care for all South Africans”.

Thus, the shape and contours of the interface between science and society came into sharper focus. The HSRC developed The South African Public Relationship with Science Study Framework to define the texture of the South African science-society interface and thereafter measured this relationship. Three high-level indicators helped measure this relationship:

• Knowledge of science, technology, and the environment

• Attitudes of interest, optimism, and concern toward modern and traditional science

• Trust in scientists and science institutions, as well as access to and trust in scientific information

In addition, science engagement outcomes in the form of behaviours and actions of the public were measured. The HSRC’s South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) team conducted face-to-face interviews with close to 6 000 adults, aged 16 years and over, in their households. These one-hour interviews were conducted in the official language of the respondent’s choice. The research reports on the percentage of the population that agreed with a particular statement (i.e., frequency), and new analyses measured how the responses varied across demographic sub-groups (i.e., score variation). Some of these results are shared here. Find the full report and a summary of its highlights here.

A science-aware society is underpinned by values that embrace and support the national system of innovation. Seven in 10 adults reported they were proud of South African S&T achievements. Close to two-thirds of the public signalled support for R&D spending on S&T and felt that current spending should be maintained or increased.

South Africans recognised the promise and potential benefits of S&T, but at the same time expressed reservations and concerns about science. Figure 1 shows that over 60% of respondents simultaneously recognised the promise and expressed concerns about science and technology.

Figure 1. Percentage of agreement with Promise (P) and Reservation (R) towards science statements

Source: HSRC

South African optimism towards S&T is like other low-income countries, but contrasts with high-income countries, such as the UK and other European countries, with lower optimism and higher reservation about S&T. Recognition of the promise of traditional science was more restrained with just under half the population (47%) rating the promise of traditional S&T highly.

Results from the survey extend our understanding of science knowledge of South African adults. Six in 10 adults were aware of S&T topics and answered related quiz questions correctly, while three-quarters of the public reported they had been exposed to at least one post-Grade 9 science or mathematics school subject.

Science and scientists provide information, evidence and advice that inform decisions to solve societal problems. For advice to be accepted, the public must trust scientists and science institutions. While seven in every 10 adults were confident about the competence of scientists, and trusted S&T information provided by universities and research organisations, many were still concerned about the integrity of scientists, like honesty, secrecy and harm to subjects (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Percentage of agreement with Promise (P) and Reservation(R) towards the work of scientists

Source: HSRC

In line with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) policy intent to promote access to information, three-quarters of adults reported they had access to the internet, while six in every 10 adults owned a smartphone. Overall, access to S&T information was low, with just over four in every 10 adults reporting they received at least some S&T information. The most popular and trusted sources of information were the television and radio.

The public also expressed a view on research priorities for the country (Figure 3). Their top two research priorities for future funding were: energy supply like electricity, and cleaner and better water supply. The top five priorities (blue bars), chosen by the public, are considered “urgent and important”. They represent the societal challenges, which form part of the lived daily experiences of the public. The second set of priorities (orange bars) are considered as “important but not urgent”. The third set of priorities (grey bars) are more likely to fall into the blue-sky category, where real-world applications are not immediately apparent to the public.

Figure 3. Research priorities for the South African public (%)

Source: HSRC

The overall results paint a picture of a society aware of S&T developments, with views that are largely balanced, considered and evidence-based. The study, therefore, indicates a positive depiction of the South African public’s relationship and understanding of science – this is seldom reported in the media and needs to be rectified.

To move towards a more science-aware and science-literate society, we should strive for a culture of curiosity and inquiry. This culture begins in homes and carries through to adulthood. A key lever is to increase interest in S&T by using traditional media like television and radio, as well as social media. Increasing interest in S&T remains important, as this has the potential to create a virtuous cycle and knock-on benefits to building greater S&T knowledge, which has further advantages for the wider South African public.

CITATION FOR FULL REPORT

Department of Science and Innovation (2024) The South African Public Relationship with Science 2022 Survey Results. Prepared by the Human Sciences Research Council for the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. www.hsrcpress.ac.za/saprs-2022

Research enquiries and acknowledgements

This article was written by Dr Vijay Reddy, principal investigator of the SAPRS study and former HSRC executive director. For more information about this work, please contact Dr Benjamin Roberts, a research director in the HSRC’s Developmental, Capable and Ethical State Division (broberts@hsrc.ac.za), and Sylvia Hannan, a chief researcher in the HSRC’s Equitable Education and Economies Division (shannan@hsrc.ac.za).

Over the course of four years, the core research team members on this project were Dr Vijay Reddy, Dr Benjamin Roberts, Sylvia Hannan and Dr Steven Gordon. Researchers who contributed to aspects of the study were Dr Thando Tenza, Dr Shanaaz Dunn, Dr Saahier Parker, Dr Ngqapheli Mchunu, Dr Thobeka Zondi, and Fabian Arends. The 2022 SAPRS Survey was funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.