SciDev.Net

Science journalists should aim to be "informed critics" of science, supporting its values but wary of backing everything said in its name.

An influential lecture on the cultural significance of science remains as relevant today as when it was delivered 50 years ago.

The prospects of a severe global swine flu pandemic appear to be diminishing. Informed reporting can take some of the credit.

A survey of our contributors suggests improvements, but has also highlighted the challenges of science reporting in developing countries.

Patents on scientific knowledge may not be as useful — or valuable — as many claim them to be.

Science can help developing countries facing commodity-price and climate turmoil: the biggest challenge is how to ensure it does.

We must clarify the 'human right' to science — and remind governments of their contractual obligation to uphold it.

Science academies in the developing world must engage with the real world if they want to influence policy.

The media can help in the global fight against disease, both as a watchdog for poor practices, and a champion for successful research.

The US election has implications for science and foreign aid policy, and so for the poorest people across the developing world.

A commitment to development-oriented innovation should be high on the agenda at the upcoming MDG summit in New York.

A new study confirms the valuable role of 'intermediary organisations' in bringing scientific and policy-making communities closer together.

Commodity price rises are no substitute for long-term investment in infrastructure and capacity as a means of securing sustained development.

Governments and donors must find ways to tackle the rise in non-communicable disease, which can mean reassessing health priorities in developing nations.

More efforts are needed to hold the leaders of the G8 nations to commitments made at their annual summit meetings.

Successful efforts to implement effective South–South research collaboration require a better understanding of what works best and why.

The simple communication of key scientific information to the public needs to be improved if sustainable development is to be a realistic goal.

A recent report is a welcome analysis of modern agriculture's future, but it fails to adequately recognise the role of science and technology.

Washington should use the new wave of optimism for science to drive policy-making rather than to boost political agendas.

Bill and Melinda Gates' forays into aid are to be welcomed, but they can only succeed alongside government involvement.