STI FORUM | Science for Africa Foundation

STI Forum Virtual Side Event

The Future of Open Access: How Science Diplomacy

Can Champion Equitable Knowledge Systems

Through Global Research Publishing Reform

Tue 06 May 2025, 10:00am-11.15 am EST/5:00pm-6.15 EAT/4:00pm-5:15pm SAT/3:00pm-4:15pm BST

Format: Virtual via Zoom

EVENTS

STI Forum

Session Overview

The SFA Foundation, FCDO and INASP are pleased to co-organise a side event at the 10th Multistakeholder Forum on Science Technology and Innovation (STI) for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This panel discussion will focus on how best science diplomacy can be leveraged to reform global research publishing and fuel evidence-informed global development.

Open access refers to the principle and practice of providing free online access to research publications, removing cost and permission barriers to information. This panel will consider the future of global research publishing and explore how science diplomacy can be leveraged to advance open access and build more equitable global knowledge systems. In the context of the SDGs, making scientific knowledge openly accessible is critical as access to information underpins an enabling environment for all SDGs. Science diplomacy on the other hand, enables countries to work together on global challenges with open science (including open access to research) playing a pivotal role in that cooperation. This panel session will explore how diplomatic efforts and policy reforms can potentially make research publishing more inclusive, ensuring innovations and scientific advancement benefit all nations.

Contribution to the 2025 STI Forum

This session will support the objectives of the 10th Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum 2025). It aligns with the Forum’s 2025 theme of “advancing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based science and technology solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs leaving no one behind”. The panel session will spotlight how open knowledge is a catalyst for inclusive STI ecosystems worldwide, ensuring that no country or community is left behind in scientific progress.

Targeted stakeholders

The panel session brings together policymakers, scientists, diplomats, and development leaders to share perspectives on reforming global research publishing. Outcomes of the panel will contribute to the broader multi-stakeholder dialogue on STI by identifying actionable recommendations to strengthen open science policy and partnerships.

Co-organisers: Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation, UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP)

Agenda

Time	Activity
10:00AM -10:05AM	Moderator, Dr Tom Drake, Associate, International Network for Advancing and Science Policy (INASP) calls session to order and introduces the session.
10:05 AM -10:15 AM	Panel Introductions. Nathanael Bevan, Director of Research and Evidence and Interim Chief Scientific Officer, UK FCDO. Dr Nokuthula Mchunu, Deputy Director, African Open Science Platform, National Research Foundation (South Africa) Dr Alphonsus Neba, Program Director, Catalyze Impact Initiative, African Population and Health Research Canter Dr Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer, SFA Foundation Dr Ezra Clark, Chief of Section, Science Technology and Innovation Policy, Section, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
10:15 AM -10:30 AM	Opening remarks and scene setting. Theme 1: Connecting research and research publishing to the sustainable development goals. - Nathanael Bevan Theme 2: The experience of African researchers seeking to disseminate their work and read others’ - Dr Alphonsus Neba, Dr Nokuthula Mchunu Theme 3: The future of research publishing and the importance of high-level science diplomacy in realising this future - Dr Evelyn Gitau, Dr Ezra Clark
10:30 AM-10:55 AM	Panel Discussion: Moderated discussion among panellists drawing on pre-prepared questions and questions from the live audience.
10:55 AM-11:10 AM	Closing Remarks Summary of key insights and takeaways from the session.

Nathanael Bevan

FCDO Director for Research and Evidence and interim Chief Scientific Adviser.

Dr Nokuthula Mchunu

Deputy Director, African Open Science Platform, National Research Foundation (South Africa)

Dr Alphonsus Neba

Program Director, Catalyze Impact Initiative, African Population and Health Research Center

Dr Evelyn Gitau

Chief Scientific Officer, SFA Foundation

Dr Ezra Clark

Chief of Section, Science Technology and Innovation Policy, Section, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)

Tom Drake

Associate, International Network for Advancing Science Policy (INASP)