South African Agency For Science And Technology Advancement (SAASTA)

The South African Agency For Science And Technology Advancement (SAASTA) aims to advance public awareness, appreciation and engagement of science, engineering and technology in South Africa.

SAASTA does this through science education, engagement and communication. In particular, SAASTA leads the advancement of science through science communicators, policy makers, educators and researchers. Relating to the five key features of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), SAASTA has two main foci within the NUCLEUS project: societal engagement and science education, which are both linked to SAASTA’s science engagement and science education objectives. Due to its colourful past, South Africa has identified certain needs in the involvement of and interaction with citizens of different origin. Therefore, SAASTA plays a valuable partnership role with regard to creative and innovative communicative approaches extending beyond European standards. It offers a unique cultural perspective in terms of ethics and gender questions, and contributes special expertise in addressing indigenous groups. On that account, SAASTA will help to ensure a cross-cultural study-outline and applicable criteria beyond European demands. SAASTA will broker arrangements with a South African university or research institution to serve as a non-European institutionalised NUCLEUS, putting RRI strategies to the test in an African environment.