On Friday 13 September 2024, UNU-MERIT Senior Researcher Hugo Hollanders will present at a session of the 10th edition of the Science Summit at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79). During this two-hour session, entitled 'Are we using the right metrics? Towards a research agenda for measuring how innovation drives the SDGs in Africa', Hollanders will speak on research and innovation (R&I) contribution to the achievement of the SDGs. This is a hybrid event in New York (starting at 11:00 EDT / 17:00 CEST) that is free to attend either virtually or in person.
Background
Increasingly, African states recognise the significance of science, technology and innovation (STI) measurement for assessing progress towards the SDGs, STI Strategy for Africa (STISA) targets, and monitoring STI policy achievements at country level. A concern is that STI measurement is heavily reliant on concepts and theories transposed from the experience of high-income countries, begging the question of relevance.
This session therefore attempts to fill the gap, while working towards the goal of creating contextually- relevant STI indicators. The session contributors share the premise that we require a stronger empirical and conceptual research base and agenda, to inform shifting of policy and measurement objectives. From a range of country contexts, the speakers critically interrogate and evaluate what we should be measuring, as evidence for innovation and development policy oriented to achieve the SDGs in African country contexts, and across the global South.
Speakers and topics covered
Moderator: Lukovi Seke, Science Technology Innovation Unit, AUDA-NEPAD
Steering science, technology and innovation towards the SDGs, John Mugabe, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Do we measure what should be measured? Towards a research agenda for measuring how innovation drives the SDGs in Africa, Glenda Kruss and Il-haam Petersen, CeSTII, HSRC, South Africa; Maruf Sanni, David Adeyeye and Abiodun Egbetokun, NACETEM, Nigeria
Measuring how innovation drives the SDGs in Latin America, Isabel Bortagaray, University of Uruguay
R&I contribution to the achievement of the SDGs, Hugo Hollanders, UNU-MERIT / Maastricht University, The Netherlands
Registration
To join this event virtually or on-site in New York, please register here.