SciDev.Net

Scientific evidence cannot be the only thing that politicians consider in making policy, says UK chief scientific adviser John Beddington.

Kit Vaughan says South African research ratings foster healthy competition — but should expand to reward individuals, not just institutions.

Alexander Boksenberg argues that the unique potential of UNESCO's science strategies is substantial.

Diola Bagayoko argues that to thrive, African science needs both stronger existing institutes and new centres of excellence.

Africa's science ministers have not endorsed a single model of centres of excellence, says John Mugabe, who suggests Africa must approach the issue pragmatically.

Cristobal Valencia Ramirez describes Venezuela's take on innovation and enterprise, pointing out that its policies have been in place for at least five years.

Val Byfield says Europe should help African nations by considering them potential — and equal — collaborators on research projects.

Peter Lichtenbaum clarifies some US Department of Commerce regulations on technology transfer to foreign nationals.

Anyone who's into football will be well aware of the massive emigration of talented soccer players from Argentina, but the sport seems to be doing just fine nonetheless. There is also a persistent "brain drain" of the country's most talented young scientists and the state of science is dismal. Aníbal Gattone asks: why the difference?

In order to curb the brain drain, Marcio Valenzuela argues that it is imperative to create practical and functional scientific communities at a local level.