Dear ASSAf Member
The annual process of nominating and electing new Members to ASSAf has commenced for 2025 in accordance with attached Regulation 1 of the Academy. Click here to access the nomination form.
The Membership of South Africa’s nationally and internationally recognised science academy, ultimately determines the quality and scope of the role that ASSAf can play in the developmental trajectory of the country, the region and the world. With its emphasis on evidence-based studies on topics of national importance, ASSAf Members have significant opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to influence national and global policy and practice. The Academy aspires to be an organisation that has the confidence and trust of all South Africans, and the capacity to undertake studies of national, regional and global relevance that are increasingly required of it.
According to ASSAf’s Regulation/Standing Order 1, the two main criteria for election as an ASSAf Member are (1) significant achievement in the pursuit, advancement or application of science, translated as academic excellence, scientific leadership, or science in the service of society and (2) a commitment to significantly assist the Academy in achieving its objectives.
The nominee’s academic standing will be assessed from their CV, academic recognition and scholarly contributions. ASSAf acknowledges differences across disciplines and each nomination is considered on its own merit.
Section 9 in the accompanying nomination form requires the nominee to describe how their science profile aligns with the objectives of the Academy, specifically the service to society aspect. Science in the service of society may take the form of leadership or advocacy; strengthening academic and professional systems; community engagement; societal benefit initiatives; or addressing global and national development goals. Science leadership includes, but is not limited to, holding substantive leadership and/or decision-making roles in national, regional or international scientific organisations, including funding organisations, showing clear evidence of service to the scientific community by establishing, for example, capacity development programmes, initiating and sustaining north-south and south-south collaborations etc.
The Academy is committed to enhancing the representivity of its Membership in terms of race, gender and diversity of disciplines and thus seeks to increase its Membership in presently under-represented disciplines such as agriculture, mathematics, earth sciences, education and economics together with increasing its female and black Membership more generally.
You are hereby requested to nominate outstanding scientists and scholars who have made significant contributions to the pursuit, advancement and application of science, nationally, regionally or globally.
Nominees must be currently contributing to scientific/scholarly activities in South Africa to a significant extent.
Nomination Process
1. Please request the nominee to complete Section A and please ensure that the nomination form is signed by the nominee (electronic signatures are accepted).
2. You, as the primary nominator, are requested to verify Section A and add to it as appropriate. Please make sure that the nomination (a) clearly demonstrates evidence of the nominee’s academic excellence and service to society/science leadership and (b) sets out how the nominee’s profile and interests align with, and advance, the objectives of the Academy.
3. Please complete Section B of the form as the nominator, noting that the citation in Section B should be used to strengthen the nominee’s application.
4. Please add the names of three other ASSAf Members who endorse your nomination in Section C and obtain their signatures either individually or collectively (electronic signatures are accepted as are separately emailed scanned copies of the relevant page of the nomination form with signatures.)
5. Please send the completed nomination form comprising of Sections A, B and C together with the candidate’s full CV to Mrs Renate Venier at renate@assaf.org.za, no later than 26 May 2025.
You are welcome to email any enquiries regarding the nomination process to Renate Venier at renate@assaf.org.za.
The Academy is grateful to its Members for taking the time to participate in the nomination process of new Academy Members.
Yours sincerely
______________________
Prof Christian Pirk
General Secretary: Academy of Science of South Africa