SciSTIP is the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.
SciSTIP was established on 1 April 2014 as part of the DSI-NRF Centres of Excellence Programme. SciSTIP is hosted by the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University and previously co-hosted by the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI) at Tshwane University of Technology (2014 – 2022). SciSTIP also has a collaborating partner – the Centre for Science and Technology Studies at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. Prof Johann Mouton is the Director of SciSTIP and Prof Rasigan Maharajh was the node head at IERI.
SciSTIP has two “mandates” which are reflected in its name: the first is to monitor and measure the (performance of the) South African STI system (scientometrics), and the second is to conduct research and analysis that contributes to national policy debates on STI (STI policy). These two mandates are complementary and best understood as two perspectives on the South African science and innovation system: scientometric studies and their results inform, shape and modify STI policy whilst studies and reflections on policy and learning from policy implementation and failures can guide and shape new ways to monitor the performance of the STI system.
Since its establishment in 2014 SciSTIP has pursued these two mandates through a large number and variety of research projects and initiatives. Our research activities are currently organised according to five research lines. These are:
- Science, technology and innovation policy;
- Human resources for science and innovation;
- Science and innovation for inclusive development;
- Scholarly publishing and social studies of science; and
- Research evaluation and the social impact of research.
