Science and Technology

Innovation with Africa

CODIST, April 29-May 1, 2009

Jody Ranck, DrPH

Future of Innovation

OR

ASL Points forward In African Sign Language

the sign for the “future” points to the rear, the future is seen through the past

…but blind faith in progress…

Francois Jacob, Nobel Laureate in Medicine:

“What we can suspect today will not become reality, there will be changes inany case, but the future will be different from what we think. That is especiallytrue for science…Unforeseeability is part of the essence of the venture of science…It is impossible to say where a particular arm of research will lead…

Democratization:Privatization: Tensions

Citizen scientists

Source: urban-atmospheres.net

Old model

• Need image of linear model: inventiondevelopmentpackagingmarketingeconomic impact

Africa and Knowledge Systems

Knowledge as database, archive…..

Or, alternatively….

…Social life of Knowledge

Representations of Innovation & Knowledge

Social Innovation

“Future” innovation: bricolage of old/new

People as Infrastructure:

Photo courtesy of Afrigadget.com

Innovation sandbox: constraints

Image: Strategy + Business

Global (ie.universal) Science/Local Problems

How we think about scientific innovation is

changing…

New models of innovation

• User-led innovation—Von Hippel

• Open innovation

• Co-creation

• p2p

Embrace Risk & Failure

Woody Allen: If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative

The practice of science is changing…

Again:old/new:Medici Effect

Africa’s Da Vinci: Ibn Khaldun

How can we harness this for African Science &

Innovation?

Web 2.0 for Science

Open Science

Science 1.0

Science 1.0

Science 2.0

Science 2.0

Source: MichaelNielsen.org

Open Access-Search

Open data-cooperation

Science Commons

Open science connectivity

More info on open source science here

http://usefulchem.wikispaces.com

Science Networks: South to South

Collaboratories

Science Networks

Open knowledge networks

Mobile Crowdsourcing

Benefits of Innovation Networks

• Agility

• Extract knowledge from the edges/external

• Uncover hidden practices/insights

• Synergies with other institutions

• Reduce costs

• Locate local/global experts

ASKIA 2.0: African Science Commons

• African Nobel for Cooperative Social Innovation

• Open Innovation Platform for Africa

• Convergence Platform-Scientists, Policy-makers, Funders, Entrepreneurs

• Recombinant Innovation-many to many collaboration

• Wikipedia of Failures as resource for innovation