Virtual Workshop: The Recommendation on Science & Scientific Researchers & COVID-19

With the current attention on the field of science and scientists, PRIA initiated a dialogue on the need mechanisms for public authorities to monitor the operation of science systems under certain value systems. A virtual workshop on the Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers was organised in collaboration with UNESCO on 9th July 2020. This workshop aimed at allowing the participants to learn more about the Recommendation and to assess the need for the same in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr. Juan Pablo Ramirez-Miranda (Programme Specialist & Chief of Section - Social & Human Sciences, UNESCO New Delhi) began the session by providing a brief context on the development of the Recommendation. Superseding the earlier global standard instrument adopted in 1974, the current Recommendation was arrived upon after recognising the need for a new standard with the evolution in the nature of scientific work over time. This was then adopted by 195 nations in the UNESCO General Conference in 2017. Discussing the ten key focus areas around which the Recommendation is structured, he elaborated that access to science is considered a universal permanent human right, stressing upon the importance of Open Science. The Recommendation recognises the need to use scientific knowledge in a responsible and accountable manner to inform national policy and decision making, especially during the times of crisis such as the present.  

Under this recommendation, Mr. Miranda stated that the signed countries are required to submit a first report on how they planned to implement the Recommendation within their countries by 31st March 2021. This report, consisting of both qualitative and quantitative measures, would help authorities in assessing the current state of their science systems and serve as a baseline for future studies.  

Tying in the discussion of the Recommendation with the current pandemic, Dr. Anand Krishnan (Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS) shared how with the evolution of technology, science has remained accessible to all, yet, interpreting science still remains difficult. This skill of interpretation of scientific research is lacking amongst people, thus causing anxiety amongst the public during the pandemic. This situation is further accentuated by the difference in the languages spoken by scientists, public authorities and the public. Thus, there is a need to strengthen institutional mechanisms to initiate a dialogue between the concerned stakeholders.  

Adding to this point, Mr. Dinesh Sharma (Jawaharlal Nehru Fellow & Founding Managing Editor, India Science Wire) discussed the new health crisis of “Infodemic”- how information was now posing to be a threat to human health. It is in dealing with this infodemic that science communication can play a critical role. Science communicators and journalists can help immunize people against misinformation by providing accurate information. He further discussed how the Recommendation can play a critical role in the drafting of the new Science, Technology & Innovation Policy (STIP 2020) of the country.  

The discussion also touched upon the need for Open Science as mentioned in the Recommendation. Dr. Rashmi Rodrigues (Associate Professor, Dept. of Community Health, St. John's Medical College) elaborated on the various barriers in practicing Open Science and how data sharing has remained a critical challenge even during the pandemic. She emphasized on the need for structural support in order to encourage the same. Dr. Rajesh Tandon (Founder-President, PRIA) also stressed upon the need for Open Science to be beyond Open Access, stating that there is a need to have inclusive stakeholder consultation. This, he stated, required the involvement of the community and thus, bottom up approach is critical if one wants acceptance and ownership of the policies guided by scientific knowledge. Science, according to him, should not only be for the society but with the society.  

Read the full report here.