Script Connect: A New Web-App Bringing Scientists Together

Script Connect A New Web-App Bringing Scientists Together
Image credit: World Bank
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What is the place of tech in increasing public engagement in science? How can researchers work with software engineers and developers to give science discoveries a wider reach? Researchers in East Africa seemed to have figured this out with their new web-app, Script Connect, which was developed and funded by Robert Busch Foundation in conjunction with SciDev.net, a UK science publication.

For years, conversations around bridging the gap between ‘the gown and the town’ have been on. These conversations resulted in novel research reporting techniques that are better suited for the digital age. In spite of the progress made, this gap has not been completely bridged. In fact, many opine that the subfield of science communication was created just to meet this need. Every day, science communicators are building new instruments or repurposing conventional communication channels to increase the reach of science discoveries. From science fairs, to film shows, and different forms of storytelling, science communicators are successfully engaging the public and influencing policies around the world.

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However, in Africa, not much progress has been made with deploying those novel communication tools to increase public engagement in science and research. The awfully low level of science literacy is enough evidence to substantiate this. “Although science research in Africa makes up only 1.1% of the research in the world, research findings often have little to no effect on policies”, comments Patterson Siena, Director of Policy Engagement at African Population and Health Research Centre, Kenya. Africans still take crude and tedious turns around agricultural or medical problems for which researchers have longed proffered solutions. Who should take the blame for accumulated knowledge pools that never see deployment for development? The academia, research instituitions, or the government? I do think they all have a ratio of the blame but I cannot append exact numerical values.

While factions of the academia are blaming the government for underfunding universities, and other research for development institutions, some researchers in the eastern region of Africa are taking action instead. At the Inaugural Science Journalism Conference hel in Moi University, Kenya, these researchers launched a web-application called Script Connect. Script Connect was designed to bring scholars and researchers together while also serving as a platform for public engagement in science. Leveraging the opportunities in tech for the advancement of collaboration among researchers, acceleration of science literacy and engagement is a bold step. Other fields such as education, marketing, finance, etc have used science to amplify their efforts, shouldn’t science do the same?

One might argue that internet reach is relatively limited in Africa but with over 6 million new internet users recorded in 2021 and a 43.1% internet penetration rate in the continent, more Africans will be active internet users before the end of the decade. Hence, building web-applications like Script Connect is a step in the right direction. According to Global SciDev Training Coordinator, Dr. Charles Wedo, who was present at the launch, “We (Africans) face many challenges which science will provide solutions to, such as hunger, health and environmental destruction.” Speaking further on the use of the app, he added, “If you are looking for a plant breeder in Tanzania, this app will help you connect you to the expert.”

Like Dr. Wedo, other science communicators are optimistic about Script Connect and its potentials to advance science and research in Africa.

Ehi-kowoicho Ogwiji is a storyteller and natural scientist who is given to advocacy for a science-literate Africa. Ehi-kowoicho aspires to be a renowned science communicator and STEM thought leader in Africa and beyond. She writes from Abuja, Nigeria. Follow her on social media @ogwijiehi or email her at [email protected] 

Africa Daily News, New York

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