2010 WSSR criticises social science expertise

Francoise Caillods, senior managing editor, 2010 WSSR

Social sciences worldwide

The report, published once every decade, was launched at a conference in Kleinmond in the Western Cape. The 2010 report however, is the first of a series that will be published more regularly, the next in 2013. It presents a collection of information and insights on the institutional and organisational aspects of social sciences in different parts of the world including sub-Saharan Africa.

Inyathelo, the South African Institute for Advancement, in cooperation with the Human Sciences Research Council and the International Social Science Council, presented the WSSR at the start of the fourth annual Vice Chancellors' Leadership Retreat which runs from 11-13 October.

Social science expertise face criticism

Francoise Caillods, senior managing editor of the report, said that although social science expertise is in high demand by policymakers, the media and the general public, social scientists were criticised for not providing clear answers to key issues facing people. They also face criticism for not being able to provide enough scientific knowledge in the face of current complexities.

The report identifies numerous divides which limit the accumulation, transmission and use of the knowledge in the social science field such as:

• A geographic divide. Worldviews, beliefs, institutions and history shape the way different people perceive and react to a phenomenon;
  
• Unequal capacities. "The least well-endowed universities in South Africa, those that serve the poorest students, do not have access to a quality academic journals base, and are unable to deliver quality higher education," according to Professor Adam Habib, deputy vice chancellor of the University of Johannesburg;
  
• Uneven internationalisation of knowledge. There is still a huge north-south divide in that North America and Europe still publish 75% of social science journals worldwide;
  
• The divisions between social science disciplines and between social sciences and the natural sciences;
  
• Keener competition resulting in pressure on the limited resources available;
  
• Another of the issues discussed which affects the effectiveness of social sciences in countries, is that of 'Brain Drain' - the long-lasting migration of highly skilled people from a less to a more developed country. Africa is particularly impacted by this phenomenon as a high proportion of well-trained African scholars, including many of the best-known, have left their respective countries.

"This is a very complex issue," says Caillods. "South Africa attracts researchers from neighbouring countries, but they don't seem to stay. Nor do the local social scientists. The best way to entice them to stay is to strengthen the working conditions in the field.

"Ensure they have access to computers, articles and books, to funding and access to international conferences."

She added: "Political instability, lack of academic freedom and lack of resources are some of the factors which also affect their decision to stay."

The report also covers other information specific to Africa: the state of social science in sub-Saharan Africa, the development of consultancies in South Africa and the contribution of social science networks to capacity development in Africa.

The report is a co-publication commissioned by UNESCO from the International Social Science Council.

To download the report, go to www.unesco.org/shs/wssr.