20–27 Mar 2026
Wild View Resorts
Africa/Gaborone timezone

Challenges of science Communication in Africa

23 Mar 2026, 16:00
30m
Wild View Resorts

Wild View Resorts

Plot 80 President Avenue, Kasane, Botswana
Invited Talk 1 Science Communication and Evaluating Results Education, Development & Outreach

Speaker

Prospery C Simpemba (Copperbelt University)

Description

Doing science is one thing, a satisfactory thing for a researcher, but communicating science with the public is another requirement for mutual benefit of both the researcher and the people for whom the science cases present potential solutions. In this presentation, we report the potential impediments to a successful science engagement in Africa and in most African research institutions. Science outreach in Africa faces distinguishable challenges compounded by structural, cultural, and resource-based challenges. We have evaluated issues relating to insufficient budgets, inadequate STEM infrastructure, digital divide, geographical barriers and lack of policy support among other causes. We have further dwelt on proposing potential remedies that would help to achieve or strike a balance between scientific investigations and outcome communication.

Stream Education, Development and Outreach

Primary author

Prospery C Simpemba (Copperbelt University)

Co-authors

Dr Saul P Phiri (Copperbelt University) Mr Ashley Nyamandi (Copperbelt University) Mr Chidi J Nicholas (Copperbelt University) Mr Kelvin S. Kiplimo (Kenyatta University, Kenya) Mr Nelson E Dumnamene (Copperbelt University) Dr Innocent I. Eya (University of Nigeria) Ms Josephine Chishala (Botswana International University of Science and Technology)

Presentation materials

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