Prof Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs, co-director of the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) and holder of the DST/NRF South African Chair in Social-Ecological Systems and Resilience, recently received another feather in her cap when she was elected as a member of the prestigious Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).
ASSAf is the official national Academy of Science of South Africa and represents the country in the international community of science academies. The Academy mobilises its members – internationally renowned scholars elected by their peers – to provide authoritative advice to government and other stakeholders based on scientifically rigorous analysis of evidence and consensus of diverse experts. In addition, ASSAf also recognises and rewards scholarly achievement and excellence in the application of scientific thinking for the benefit of society.
As a member, Biggs will receive invitations to conferences, symposia and seminars and to serve on academy panels and committees, among others.
“It is always a pleasure to be recognised for your scientific standing and contribution. It’s also great that one is seen as someone that can helpfully advise on policy and relevant issues within one’s domain,” she said of her election as a member of ASSAf.
“I also see it as an honour for the CST to have its senior researchers recognised as leading national and international experts who can be called upon to give input on issues of national importance. Being recognised by bodies like ASSAf helps to give weight to one’s opinion and input on processes.”
As a NRF A-rated researcher who aims to develop practical theory, methods and insights that can ultimately contribute to facilitating transitions to more sustainable futures in Southern Africa, there is no doubt that Biggs has a lot to offer the Academy.
“My expertise around sustainability transitions and social ecological systems thinking, a cutting edge, emerging area of research, has a lot to offer in terms of key sustainability and equity challenges facing society,” she said. “I hope I can bring some of that thinking in where it might be useful and needed.”
She added: “CST is doing quite amazing work in thinking about how to address a lot of sustainability and equity challenges that we are facing. So this (ASSAf membership) also provides us with an opportunity to contribute that thinking into policy processes.”
“Another important aspect of being a member is the networks that you can build. You get to meet and interact with other leading scientists in the country which can be important down the line when you need the input of others to deal with certain issues or propose certain initiatives.”
Biggs serves on the Board of the Resilience Alliance, and co-chairs the science committee of the Program on Ecosystem Change and Society, one of the core global research programmes of Future Earth. Both are leading international networks in the social-ecological systems arena. Biggs also leads the affiliated Southern African Program on Ecosystem Change and Society (SAPECS), a network of researchers and practitioners working on social-ecological systems in the southern African region.
Biggs’ inauguration as an ASSAf member will take place during an awards ceremony in Pretoria on 23 October.
