Professor extraordinaire at Stellenbosch University and consultant in research and innovation policy Professor Michael Kahn describes himself as a policy analyst.
He has vast experience both locally and internationally in analysing and measuring research and innovation systems, having established and led the HSRC’s Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators in the mid-2000s. He has also worked closely with government since, helping to review the country’s research and innovation system.
“South Africa has been faring well in its scientific outputs, particularly as measured by the number of research publications, international patents and trademarking, and plant cultivar registrations,” he says. “But where we are falling short is in not producing enough highly skilled people.”
What is not clear, however, is exactly where and how this shortfall is creating a “pinch” in the economy, he adds. “And this points to one key area we need to look at. We need a better understanding of where the real demand for high level skills lies.”
Kahn will lead a SciSTIP research programme that conducts an in-depth study of the mobility of knowledge workers, in order to understand the drivers and motivations for movements within the country, between industries, state research labs and academia. It is anticipated that new insights from this work will inform strategic research investments by the National Research Foundation, the Department of Science and Technology as well as South African universities.