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{{Infobox newspaper|logo = http://www.scidev.net/assets/images/logo.png|founder = David Dickson|website = {{url|www.scidev.net}}|foundation = 2001|type = Online Media Outlet}}'''SciDev.Net''' is a [[not-for-profit organisation]] that produces news, views and analysis about science and technology in the context of global development. It primarily engages with development professionals, policymakers, researchers, the media and the informed public.<ref>SciDev.Net. About Us. http://www.scidev.net/global/content/what-we-do.html</ref>
'''SciDev.Net''', short for Science and Development Network, is an online source of news and analysis about science and technology in the context of global development. It aims to help individuals and organisations apply science to decision-making in order to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.scidev.net/global/content/about-us.html |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=SciDev.Net |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
==History==
The organisation was founded in 2001<ref>SciDev.Net. About Us: History. http://www.scidev.net/global/content/what-we-do.html</ref> in response to the significant gap in scientific knowledge between rich and poor countries and with the understanding that “those who stand to benefit the most from modern science and technology are also those with the least access to information about it".<ref>IDRC (The International Development Research Centre). Archive: Science and Development Network. http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-29488-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html</ref> SciDev.Net seeks to redress this imbalance via its free-to-access website, regional networks and specialist workshops.
SciDev.Net was founded in 2001 by David Dickson as a science news service for developing countries. It originated from a project set up by news staff at the journal Nature (with financial assistance from the [[Wellcome Trust]], United Kingdom) to report on the World Conference on Science, in Budapest, in 1999.<ref name=":0" />
It was established in response to the significant gap in scientific knowledge between rich and poor countries and with the understanding that “those who stand to benefit the most from modern science and technology are also those with the least access to information about it."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-08 |title=Science and Development Network: International Development Research Centre |url=http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-29488-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html |access-date=2025-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608214512/http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-29488-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html |archive-date=8 June 2011 }}</ref> SciDev.Net seeks to redress this imbalance via its free-to-access website, regional networks, and science communications training.
 
==Ownership==
SciDev.Net aims to help individuals and organisations apply evidence and insights from science and technology to decision-making in order to have a positive impact on equitable and sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Since 2017, SciDev.Net has been owned by CABI ([[CAB International]]), a not-for-profit organisation focusing primarily on agricultural and environmental issues in low- and middle-income countries, and the creation, curation, and dissemination of scientific knowledge.
 
SciDev.Net operates editorially independently from CABI with its content overseen by an independent Editorial Advisory Group whose role is to ensure its editorial independence protocol is adhered to.<ref name=":0" />
The global edition is based in London and there are six regional desks based in Latin America & Caribbean (Spanish), Middle East and North and West Africa (Arabic), South Asia, South-East Asia & Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa (English and French).
SciDev.Net has a global edition, which is based at CABI’s headquarters in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, and there are five regional desks covering Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia and Pacific, and Sub-Saharan Africa (English and French).
 
SciDev.Net is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1089590).
 
==Website==
The SciDev.Net website is made up of a global edition and five regional editions. It publishes in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. Content includes news, analysis, opinions, in-depth features, podcasts, and data visualisations.
Content is categorised under the following topics: agriculture, environment, health, governance, enterprise and communication.
Articles are written mostly by freelance journalists, the majority of whom are based in low- and middle-income countries.
 
==Podcasts==
The SciDev.Net website is made up of a global and six regional editions. SciDev.Net publishes in four languages: English, Spanish, French and Arabic. Content includes: News, Analysis, Multimedia, Practical Guides, Learning Series reports, Opinions editorials, Spotlights and Data Visualisations.
SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa editions produce a podcast series in English (Africa Science Focus), French (Santé, Science et Développement) and Arabic (The Spark). The podcasts feature scientists from across Africa and the Middle East talking about topical science issues and the impact of science on development in the region. In 2021, the Africa Science Focus podcast was awarded silver in the AAAS Kavli [[Science journalism|Science Journalism]] Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Award Winners {{!}} AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards |url=https://sjawards.aaas.org/awards/field_award_category/audio-144/field_award_level/silver-12/field_award_year/2021-150 |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=sjawards.aaas.org}}</ref> The podcasts are published on the website and are available to download from a range of other platforms.
 
==Creative Commons==
'''News''': SciDev.Net's news coverage is at the heart of its website and articles are added daily. Freelance journalists throughout the developing world write much of this material and work closely with a team of editors to ensure timely and accurate coverage of breaking news.
All SciDev.Net website material is free to reproduce under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 licence. Under the terms of this licence, users are permitted to copy, distribute, display and perform the content, and make derivative works, so long as the original author and website are quoted as the source. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Use our content |url=https://www.scidev.net/content/media.html |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=SciDev.Net |language=en-US}}</ref>
Hundreds of media outlets have syndicated SciDev.Net’s work including global media houses such as The Guardian, The BBC and The Thomson Reuters Foundation as well as regional news outlets like AllAfrica, The Asian Scientist and El Espectador.
 
==Training: Script==
'''Analysis blogs''': SciDev.Net analysis blogs focus on vulnerable or marginalised groups who tend to be neglected in mainstream development journalism. They aim to bridge the gap between science and development and provide an analysis of how each can inform the other. SciDev.Net analysis blogs include:
SciDev.Net trains researchers and journalists to improve the communication of scientific research to the public and policymakers through its science communication training programme, Script.
* Focus on Gender
Script provides online training on science communication skills. This aims to enable researchers to simplify complex findings and engage non-specialist audiences and equip journalists to report on science accurately, enhancing public understanding of science.
* Focus on Disability
Over the past ten years, Script has trained more than 10,000 researchers and journalists worldwide. It seeks to facilitate connections between researchers and journalists, fostering collaboration to increase media coverage of scientific research. Script supports universities in integrating science communication modules into journalism curricula, with the aim of ensuring that future journalists are equipped to report on scientific issues.
* Focus on Migration Focus on Poverty
By strengthening the communication of scientific findings, the programme aims to promote greater public awareness and the use of evidence in decision-making at policy and personal levels, to enhance the impact of scientific research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://scripttraining.net/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=Script |language=en}}</ref>
* Focus on Private Sector
* View on Disability
* View on Gender
* View on Migration
* View on Private sector
* View on Poverty
'''Opinions:''' SciDev.Net opinion pieces are exclusive contributions from the world’s leading experts in science and international development. SciDev.Net has published exclusive contributions from figures such as [[Calestous Juma]], [[Paul Boateng]], [[Mark Lynas]], [[Gordon Conway]] and [[Mariéme Jamme]].
 
==Communications==
'''Multimedia:''' SciDev.Net produces original multimedia content such as videos, podcasts, photo essays, image galleries and audio-video slideshows.
Visitors who sign-up with SciDev.Net receive a free weekly email with all the latest stories from the website.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SciDev.Net sign up |url=https://www.scidev.net/global/content/register.html |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=SciDev.Net |language=en-US}}</ref> These are available in English, Spanish, Arabic and French. Readers can also submit announcements, events, jobs and grants to SciDev.Net’s noticeboard for free and these are featured on the website and in the weekly emails.
 
==Funders==
'''Practical guides:''' Written by experts in their field, practical guides help readers strengthen and learn new skills. These guides:
SciDev.Net’s primary funders are the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)[ and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
* Provide expert advice for journalists to sharpen their skills and improve their coverage of hot topics for print, broadcast and online media
Other organisations that have supported its content include: the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, the European Journalism Centre, Adaptation Research Alliance, and Carnegie Corporation of New York.
* Help scientists with ‘how to’ guides on getting research published, briefing policy makers and publicizing their work
SciDev.Net works with a range of organisations at global, regional and national levels to achieve shared objectives. These include: the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS); the science news service AlphaGalileo, and the World Federation of Science Journalists.
* Support science communicators with tools and tactics on areas such as blogs, press releases and covering controversial issues
'''Spotlights''': These special collections of articles focus on a ‘hot topic’ and provide an in-depth look at the key issues facing developing countries. Spotlights published to date include:
* Shelter crisis: rebuilding after the storm<ref>{{Cite web|title = Shelter crisis: Rebuilding after the storm|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/design/spotlight/shelter-crisis-rebuilding-storm-spotlight.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref>
* Managing health crises after Ebola<ref>{{Cite web|title = Managing health crises after Ebola: Key resources|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/ebola/feature/managing-health-crises-ebola-key-resources.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref>
* Transforming cities for sustainability<ref>{{Cite web|title = Transforming cities for sustainability: Facts and Figures|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/cities/feature/transforming-cities-sustainability-facts-figures.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref>
* Making higher education work for Africa<ref>{{Cite web|title = Making higher education work for Africa|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/education/spotlight/higher-education-africa.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref>
* Big data for development<ref>{{Cite web|title = Big data for development|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/data/spotlight/big-data-for-development.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref>
'''Data visualisations:''' Since 2014 SciDev.Net has been producing data visualisations. These interactive features transforms the latest issues in international development into accessible information that informs data-led decision making. SciDev.Net have worked with a number of partners, including [[Sightsavers|SightSavers]], to produce data visualisations on a wide variety of topics including:
* Mapping trachoma to eliminate blindness<ref>{{Cite web|title = Mapping trachoma to eliminate blindness|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/disease/data-visualisation/trachoma-mapping-project.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref>
* The hidden digital divide<ref>{{Cite web|title = The hidden digital divide|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/icts/data-visualisation/digital-divide-data-interactive.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref> (nominated for the Kantar Information is Beautiful Awards 2015)<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Hidden Digital Divide — Information is Beautiful Awards|url = http://www.informationisbeautifulawards.com/showcase/795-the-hidden-digital-divide|website = www.informationisbeautifulawards.com|access-date = 2016-02-23}}</ref>
* Africa's hydropower future<ref>{{Cite web|title = Africa's hydropower future|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/energy/data-visualisation/africa-hydropower-future-interactive.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref>
* Urbanisation and the rise of the city<ref>{{Cite web|title = Urbanisation and the rise of the city|url = http://www.scidev.net/global/cities/data-visualisation/urbanisation-where-why-when-interactive.html|website = SciDev.Net|access-date = 2016-02-23|last = SciDev.Net}}</ref>
 
==Topics and regions==
The SciDev.Net website was restructured and relaunched in March 2008<ref>DFID (Department for International Development). New look SciDev.Net. Research for Development. http://www.research4development.info/news.asp?articleID=50194</ref> to provide access to material via ‘topic gateways’, which bring together news updates and analysis on key issues. The topics covered are:
*Agriculture
*Environment
*Health
*Governance
*Enterprise
*Communication
 
Science and technology news is also available via ‘regional editions’:
 
*Afrique Sub-Saharienne
*América Latina y el Caribe
*الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا
*South-Asia
*South-East Asia and the Pacific
*Sub-Saharan Africa
 
Coverage is informed by regional advisory groups consisting of an extensive number of journalists, consultants, advisors and registered users based in developing countries. They work to ensure that a developing country perspective is represented.
 
== Training ==
SciDev.Net has over 15 years’ experience of specifically supporting southern journalists and researchers to communicate scientific evidence through workshops and on-the-job mentoring. Since its inception, SciDev.Net has delivered workshops for approximately 1,500 journalists.
 
In 2013 SciDev.Net piloted a new approach to capacity building centered upon training for trainers. The new approach provides a blend of face-to-face workshops, networking programmes, awards, mentoring and online learning for journalists, researchers and policymakers.
 
==Signing up==
 
Visitors who sign-up with SciDev.Net receive a free weekly and/or daily email with all the latest stories from the website. These are available for each edition English, Spanish, Arabic and French. Those who sign-up can comment on articles and submit announcements, events, jobs and grants to the noticeboard for free and these are featured on the website and in the weekly emails.
 
==RSS feeds==
 
The latest news can appear instantly on other websites through a free SciDev.Net global, regional or topic specific newsfeed. Each newsfeed carries the latest news stories, including a headline, introductory sentence and link to the full article.
 
For busy researchers or editors who need to sift through information from many sources, [[RSS|RSS (Really Simple Syndication)]] enables instantaneous delivery of SciDev.Net news stories to a 'news reader' soon as they are published.
 
== Creative Commons ==
All SciDev.Net website material is free to reproduce under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 licence. Under the terms of this licence users are permitted to copy, distribute, display and perform the content, and make derivative works so long as the original author and website are quoted as the source.
 
Hundreds of media outlets have syndicated SciDev.Net’s work including global media houses such as The Guardian, The BBC and The Thomson Reuters Foundation as well as regional news networks like AllAfrica, The Asian Scientist and Dawn.
 
==Funders, supporters and partnerships==
 
'''Funders''' of SciDev.Net include:<ref>About Us – supporters/funders http://www.scidev.net/en/content/supporters/</ref>
 
*UK Department for International Development (DFID)<ref>DFID (Department for International Development). Project Record: Science in Development website (SciDev.Net). Research for Development. http://www.research4development.info/ProjectsAndProgrammes.asp?ProjectID=3937</ref>
*Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)<ref>Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). http://www.sida.se/English/</ref>
*International Development Research Centre (IDRC)<ref>International Development Research Centre (IDRC). http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-1-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html</ref>
*The Wellcome Trust <ref>Australian Aid. http://aid.dfat.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx</ref>
*INASP<ref>{{Cite web|title = INASP - Home|url = http://www.inasp.info/en/|website = www.inasp.info|access-date = 2016-02-23}}</ref>
*Carnegie Corporation<ref>{{Cite web|title = Carnegie Corporation of New York|url = https://www.carnegie.org/|website = Carnegie Corporation of New York|access-date = 2016-02-23|first = Carnegie Corporation of New|last = York}}</ref>
 
'''Partners'''
SciDev.Net works with a range of organisations at global, regional and national levels to achieve shared objectives. These include:
 
*Nature
*Science
*Guardian Environment Network
*Guardian Development Network
*AlertNet
 
SciDev.Net is also affiliated with TWAS, the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, based in Trieste, Italy.<ref>[http://www.twas.org www.twas.org]</ref>
 
==References==
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* [http://www.scidev.net SciDev.Net official website]
 
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