The Young Science Communicator’s Competition is an initiative of the South Africa Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) aimed at sharing stories about the impact and relevance of science to the broader society that can help better connect science with society. This edition is a partnership between SAASTA and SACNASP in celebration of the International Year of Basic Science for Sustainable Development.

Effective science communication has the potential to empower research and innovation systems to address global challenges such as food and water security, climate change, public health, etc. Science communication goes far beyond communicating new scientific knowledge through scientific papers, technical reports, or presentations at conferences, it also involves informing, educating, and involving the public. This competition is essential to bridge the gap between scientists and the public while supporting the development of science communication skills in young scientists and providing a platform for them to share their work more broadly with the public.