Academy of Science South Africa 2005/6 Annual Report

Programme 2ASSAfCommunicating up-to-dateSouth African scientific research to the publicAdvancement of Science and Technology (SAASTA), that are aimed at enhancing the performance andaspirations of South African learners in these fields. Paid subscriptions from a small initial reader basehave grown to over 200, and over 500 copies of Quest are now sold each month in selected book stores.Dr Elisabeth Lickindorf, one of South Africa’s most experienced science writers, continues as editorof Quest on a contract basis.Quest is not a peer-reviewed journal for original research, but it is the ideal medium to conveyinformation about current South African scientific achievements to a wide audience, often in the form ofshorter, more generally understandable versions of the findings published in research journals.The Academy seeks to develop this complementarity and synergy with South African peer-reviewedresearch journals by inviting editors and authors to bring to the attention of the editor of Quest, articlesthat may be of interest to a more general readership and to encourage authors of key articles to approachQuest with their stories.Quest covers the spectrum of science from the natural sciences to the social and human sciences, witha focus on research that is up-to-date and evidence-based, and in which scientific method is applied.Key performanceindicators for Programme 2The major study of research publishing in South Africawas completed within the agreed extension period(by end of March 2006), and the ensuing report washanded to the Ministers of Science and Technologyand of Education, apart from the targeted distributionof over 1 800 copies throughout the national systemof innovation. The South African Journal of Science hasgone from strength to strength, and has increased itsimpact factor by 10%. Quest – Science for South Africais widely used in connection with science-promotiveevents and initiatives throughout the country, and hasachieved recognition as the country’s leading sciencemagazine, of international quality.Annual Report 2005/0627