The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) spearheads the science engagement programme that aims to build a science-literate and science-aware society in South Africa. The current South African White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)) directed the creation of a set of indicators to measure the change the programme is making to society through an "institutionalized survey on public perceptions of science," (DST, 2019), further strengthening the programme that was initiated under the first White Paper on Science and Technology in 1996.
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) was tasked with conducting a dedicated South African Public Relationship with Science (SAPRS) survey every five years. The purpose of the survey is to monitor the state of the public relationship with science in relation to knowledge, attitudes and engagement, as well as trends over time and comparisons with other countries. The first SAPRS survey was conducted in 2022.
The information from the survey allowed us, firstly, to measure and describe the unique fingerprint of the South African public relationship with science. Secondly, the data was used to identify the socio-demographic characteristics that promote knowledge and positive attitudes towards science and technology, as well as higher science engagement actions and behaviours. Thirdly, we examined the relationships between science and technology knowledge, attitudes and engagement measures.
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The SAPRS was investigated through a dedicated survey instrument included in Round 19 of the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) in late 2022. SASAS is an annual household survey conducted by the HSRC and is administered to a nationally representative sample of adults aged 16 years or older.
The Science Engagement Monitoring and Evaluation Impact Indicator Framework (SEMEIIF) (DSI, 2021) and the South African Public Relationship with Science Survey Framework (DSI, 2023) informed the development of the SAPRS survey instrument.
The SEMEIIF identified five impact themes: (i) scientific literacy; (ii) knowledge of general and specific science areas; (iii) confidence in science and science institutions; (iv) attitudes to, and perceptions of, science; and (v) science engagement behaviours. Based on these themes, we constructed a survey instrument to collect social data to measure the public relationship with science and technology.
The final SAPRS instrument consisted of 200 items related to the public relationship with science (including five SKA items fielded only in the Northern Cape), and 28 demographic and contextual items. The national sample comprised 5 960 households, and two special samples were included in the study:
Four main towns in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) footprint area in the Northern Cape (Carnarvon, Brandvlei, Van Wyksvlei and Williston)
The town of Cofimvaba and environs in the Chris Hani Municipality District in the Eastern Cape, which houses the Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu Science Centre (ANSSC).
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The survey was a collaboration between the Science Promotion Unit at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Equitable Education and Economies (EEE) Research Programme at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
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A SAPRS Reflection Conference was held in March 2025. Participants in this conference were selected from key sectors of society, including STI-inclined government departments, business, labour, academia, civil society, youth, faith-based, and science councils, among others.
The objectives of the conference were to:
Share the picture of the South African 2022 fingerprint for the relationship with science;
Secure feedback on the report from key sectors of society, which will guide the DSTI’s science engagement programme and highlight issues to be taken into consideration in the preparation of the next SAPRS survey which will be conducted in 2027.
The conference was categorised into six main themes:
1) Interest in and knowledge of science and technology and the environment,
2) Promise and reservation attitudes towards modern and traditional science and technology,
3) Trust in science and confidence in science institutions,
4) Access to and trust in science and technology information,
5) Views of pride, promise and priorities in the system of innovation, and
6) Science engagements: Activities and behaviours.
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As part of the HSRC's knowledge dissemination project with Jive Media Africa, five vox pop videos related to the 2022 SAPRS Survey were produced, showcasing some of the key themes of the survey, through engaging with people on the streets. Filmed on the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa, PhD Research Trainee Samantha Tshabalala spoke to members of the public about their knowledge, attitudes, and engagement with science and technology.
Beyond the digital divide: Rethinking science and technology engagement in South Africa, HSRC Review, December 2025
Across the divide: How South Africans differ in their views on science and technology, HSRC Review, September 2025
Engaging South Africa: Building access and trust in science and technology information, HSRC Review, September 2025
How South Africans see sciences: key findings. HSRC Review, June 2025
Support or scepticism? Trends in South Africans’ attitudes towards science and technology, HSRC Review, June 2025
Understanding science and technology: views from the South African Public, HSRC Review, June 2025
Unequal realities: Women’s diverse experiences of science and technology in South Africa, HSRC, August 2025
Understanding Public Knowledge, Attitudes and Engagement with Science and Technology. Science Forum South Africa 2025
Understanding Nature’s Impact: South Africans' Awareness, Interest and Concern, International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Our Knowledge, Our Stories. South Africans’ Connection with Traditional Science and Technology, Heritage Day
South African Women’s Knowledge and Interest in Science and Technology, Women's Day
Women’s Trust in the Work of Scientists in South Africa, Women's Day
South African Women’s Engagement with Science and Technology, Women's Day
From Cosmos to Community: South Africa's Science and Technology Story. Nelson Mandela University Research Week 2025
Bridging the Science Engagement Divide: Pathways for Community-Based Knowledge Societies in South Africa. Mangosuthu University of Technology Scholarship of Engagement Conference 2025
Report decodes South Africans’ science fingerprint. University World News
South Africans view science positively but want fairer progress. Research Professional News.
South African Public Relationship with Science (SAPRS) survey, 2022
