Statement in response to the article published in the South African Journal of Science by Professor Nicoli Nattrass with the title Why are black South African students less likely to consider studying biological sciences?

The South African Journal of Science (SAJS) is the flagship journal of the Academy of Science of South Africa (the Academy).

In response to the published article:

1. The Academy respects the editorial independence of the editorship of this and any other scholarly journal. The Council of the Academy has never before nor will in this case interfere with the editorial decisions of the journal. 
2. The Academy upholds the academic freedom of any author to submit for publication the results of research in a scholarly journal subject, of course, to editorial review processes and approval. 
3. The Academy believes that the appropriate forum for criticism of published research is in the form of academic rebuttal by academic peers in and outside of the pages of the journal.

The Council of the Academy of Science of South Africa

9 June 2020