SN 2 EP 8: Navigating South Africa's Open Science Landscape Through the Lens of Ina Smith and Susan Veldsman of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

Episode Summary: "This episode takes us through South Africa’s journey towards embracing Open Science, a paradigm shift that aims to address societal challenges and promote research integrity. Ms. Ina Smith and Ms. Susan Veldsman, leading Open Access and Open Science advocates at the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF), share insights into the development of the draft National Open Science Policy, the challenges faced, and the opportunities it presents for the African continent. The conversation highlights the need for robust policies, infrastructure, capacity building, and incentives to encourage open data sharing and collaboration among researchers. The guests emphasize the importance of aligning with international standards while considering Africa’s unique contexts, such as ethical data sharing and combating predatory publishing practices."