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Science & Innovation Policy

Opinions

Here is a list of the latest articles

In Perspective: Modernising science's social code

A planned update of a 1974 UN document could create a useful template for socially responsible science, says David Dickson.

22 May 2013 | EN

Community effort to build a pond in Nepal

Technical input 'on the ground' deserves donor backing

Development needs collective local action. More science and technical advisors should be supporting that, says research officer Harry Jones.

22 May 2013 | EN

Local involvement in Nepal

Too many Southern NGOs follow foreign agendas

Former Nepali Minister Dipak Gyawali says development NGOs need to stop acting like sub-contractors and start asking challenging questions.

22 May 2013 | EN

Meeting with NGO

Make development practitioners partners in research

Overcoming barriers to how research is used in practice is important — but it's just half the battle, says NGO research expert Rachel Hayman.

22 May 2013 | EN

Funding NGOs

NGOs need more say in research priority-setting

Funding agencies should support closer interaction between development NGOs and scientists, argues research and policy analyst Charlie McLaren.

22 May 2013 | EN

Sowing the seed into politicians

Let's reconnect green issues and development post-2015

Post-2015 discussions offer a chance to link the environmental and development agendas — it shouldn't be bypassed, says Myles A. Wickstead.

15 May 2013 | EN

Africa Analysis: Research topic trends are useful for Africa

Analysis of scientific trends can help policymakers target limited resources where science and development collide, argues Linda Nordling.

10 May 2013 | EN | FR

IPCC climate change report

Will more science expertise fix the sustainability crisis?

Constant calls for evidence-based policy miss the underlying politics of knowledge, argues analyst Peter Bille Larsen.

7 May 2013 | EN

Hearing aid

Focus on Disability: Transfer technology to all

Committing to disability-inclusive technology transfer in the post-2015 development goals will help to cut inequality, says Sue Coe.

17 April 2013 | EN

Islam Analysis: Do or die for OIC science cooperation

The Islamic world's current science effort is on life support and without major 'surgery' could be yet another policy failure, says Athar Osama.

14 April 2013 | EN

LifeStraw water filter developed through the Carbon for Water project

How to unlock business funding for development projects

Results-based carbon financing shows the way forward for involving the private sector in development, says ClimateCare's Edward Hanrahan.

12 April 2013 | EN

Africa Analysis: Continent must back TB research drive

International bodies are offering true research opportunities, but African funding is needed to prepare the ground, writes Linda Nordling.

4 April 2013 | EN | FR

Malaria programme in Kenya

Invest in health systems for a balanced approach

Funding for programmes that target major diseases should be matched by investment in the health systems that underpin them, says Ghana's Irene Akua Agyepong.

3 April 2013 | EN

In Perspective: Focus cash on research infrastructure

Many developing nations could see dramatic development if they funded research infrastructure, argues David Dickson.

20 March 2013 | EN | FR

Islam Analysis: The 'women in science' movement has a long way to go

The number of female researchers in the Islamic world is above average, but this does not translate to the quality of their participation, says Athar Osama.

18 March 2013 | EN

Latin American Analysis: Between opinion and influence

Initiatives to boost public participation on S&T policies must clarify their objectives and their impact should be assessed, says Carla Almeida.

18 March 2013 | ES

Child at water pump

Solar-powered 'water ATMs' deliver at the last mile

Starting by redefining success, machines that vend clean water at low cost can solve India's drinking water problem, says entrepreneur Anand Shah.

26 February 2013 | EN | FR

Islam analysis

Islam Analysis: Faith must be reconciled with science

Critical debate is needed to resolve science-Islam divisions and ensure that knowledge flourishes in the Muslim world, says Athar Osama.

15 February 2013 | EN

Africa Analysis: Ocean science urgently needs investment

Africa's next big science investment should target its oceans, but funding and political support need to be sustained, writes Linda Nordling.

8 February 2013 | EN | FR

Abdus Salam's unfinished business

Abdus Salam used his genius to promote science in the developing world, but his legacy remains unfulfilled, says Athar Osama.

31 January 2013 | EN