Academic literature on the topic 'Increment to Societal Benefit'
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Journal articles on the topic "Increment to Societal Benefit"
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Dirksen, Carmen D., André J. H. A. Ament, Eddy M. M. Adang, Geerard L. Beets, Peter M. N. Y. H. Go, Cor G. M. I. Baeten, and Gauke Kootstra. "Cost-Effectiveness of Open Versus Laparoscopic Repair for Primary Inguinal Hernia." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 14, no. 3 (1998): 472–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462300011454.
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AbstractA cost-effectiveness (CE) analysis was performed of Bassini versus laparoscopic repair for primary inguinal hernia. Incremental costs per 1 -year recurrence-free patient were calculated for the societal and hospital perspective. From the hospital perspective, the incremental CE ratio of laparoscopic repair is 5.348 guilders. From the societal perspective, laparoscopic repair is both less costly and more effective than Bassini repair. Results were sensitive to assumptions about recurrence rates, laparoscopic operating time, and return to work. Laparoscopic repair should replace Bassini repair in order to benefit society. From the hospital perspective, the decision to accept laparoscopic repair depends on the willingness to pay.
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Hernández, Miguel Angel Negrín, Francisco José Vázquez-Polo, Francisco Javier Girón González-Torre, and Elías Moreno Bas. "Complementing the net benefit approach: A new framework for Bayesian cost-effectiveness analysis." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 25, no. 4 (October 2009): 537–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462309990444.
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Objectives: The aim of cost-effectiveness analysis is to maximize health benefits from a given budget, taking a societal perspective. Consequently, the comparison of alternative treatments or technologies is solely based on their expected effectiveness and cost. However, the expectation, or mean, poses important limitations as it might be a poor summary of the underlying distribution, for instance when the effectiveness is a categorical variable, or when the distributions of either effectiveness or cost present a high degree of asymmetry. Clinical variables often present these characteristics.Methods: In this study, we present a framework for cost-effectiveness analysis based on the whole posterior distribution of effectiveness and cost.Results: An application with real data is included to illustrate the analysis. Decision-making measures such as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, incremental net-benefit, and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves, can also be defined under the new framework.Conclusions: This framework overcomes limitations of the mean and offers complementary information for the decision maker.
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Chen, Weiwei, Sanghamitra M. Misra, Fangjun Zhou, Leila C. Sahni, Julie A. Boom, and Mark Messonnier. "Evaluating Partial Series Childhood Vaccination Services in a Mobile Clinic Setting." Clinical Pediatrics 59, no. 7 (February 28, 2020): 706–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0009922820908586.
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This study aims to evaluate the cost-benefit of vaccination services, mostly partial series administration, provided by a mobile clinic program (MCP) in Houston for children of transient and low-income families. The study included 469 patients who visited the mobile clinics on regular service days in 2 study periods in 2014 and 836 patients who attended vaccination events in the summer of 2014. The benefit of partial series vaccination was estimated based on vaccine efficacy/effectiveness data. Our conservative cost-benefit estimates show that, compared with office-based settings, every dollar spent on vaccination by the MCP would result in $0.9 societal cost averted as an incremental benefit in regular service days and $3.7 during vaccination-only events. To further improve the cost-benefit of vaccination services in the MCP, decision-makers and stakeholders may consider improving work efficiency during regular service days or hosting more vaccination events.
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Smith, Kenneth, Jacques Cornuz, Mark Roberts, and Drahomir Aujesky. "Cost-effectiveness of low-molecular-weight heparin for secondary prophylaxis of cancer-related venous thromboembolism." Thrombosis and Haemostasis 93, no. 03 (2005): 592–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1160/th04-11-0767.
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SummaryAlthough extended secondary prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin was recently shown to be more effective than warfarin for cancer-related venous thromboembolism, its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional prophylaxis with warfarin is uncertain. We built a decision analytic model to evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes of a 6-month course of low-molecular-weight heparin or warfarin therapy in 65-year-old patients with cancer-related venous thromboembolism. We used probability estimates and utilities reported in the literature and published cost data. Using a US societal perspective, we compared strategies based on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and lifetime costs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of low-molecular-weight heparin compared with warfarin was $149, 865/QALY. Low-molecular-weight heparin yielded a quality-adjusted life expectancy of 1.097 QALYs at the cost of $15, 329. Overall, 46% ($7108) of the total costs associated with low-molecular-weight heparin were attributable to pharmacy costs. Although the low-molecular-weigh heparin strategy achieved a higher incremental quality-adjusted life expectancy than the warfarin strategy (difference of 0.051 QALYs), this clinical benefit was offset by a substantial cost increment of $7,609. Cost-effectiveness results were sensitive to variation of the early mortality risks associated with low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin and the pharmacy costs for low-molecular-weight heparin. Based on the best available evidence, secondary prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin is more effective than warfarin for cancer-related venous thromboembolism. However, because of the substantial pharmacy costs of extended low-molecular-weight heparin prophylaxis in the US, this treatment is relatively expensive compared with warfarin.
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Mattar, Andre, Guilherme Ribeiro Fonseca, Murilo Barato Agudo Romão, Jorge Yoshinori Shida, Debbie M. Jakubowski, Calvin Y. Chao, Sergio C. Oliveira, and Luiz Henrique Gebrim. "Economic evaluation of the oncotype DX test for hormone receptor positive (HR+) early-stage breast cancer (BC) from the Brazilian societal perspective." Journal of Clinical Oncology 38, no. 15_suppl (May 20, 2020): e19380-e19380. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e19380.
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e19380 Background: Selecting appropriate patients for AC (adjuvant chemotherapy) remains an important issue in BC treatment. Although AC improves clinical outcomes toxicity and economic burden is substantial. The Oncotype DX test identifies high-risk patients likely to benefit from AC who otherwise might not be identified through standard parameters (SP), and low-risk patients unlikely to benefit from AC, avoiding toxicities and inherent risks. This study estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and budget impact (BI) of Oncotype DX testing from the perspective of the Brazilian Public Health System. Methods: A Markov transitional state model was developed with 3 states: recurrence free, distant recurrence, and death. The model compared the scenario in which patients are screened by SP with a proposed scenario with Oncotype DX testing. Changes in therapeutic recommendations and cost of treatment were obtained from a prospective clinical survey at Pérola Byington Hospital. Additional data was obtained from literature. As a societal perspective analysis, medical costs (test, AC, and adverse events), costs of productivity loss, transportation and employment leave were considered. Population was estimated from BC incidence, proportion of early stage cases, and HR expression. An incremental proportion of 10% per year of patients using Oncotype DX testing was assumed. BI analysis had a 5-year horizon and cost-effectiveness a lifetime horizon (5% annual discount). Results: Oncotype DX results as identifier of a subgroup at higher risk of relapse and greater benefit with AC was dominant over SP. Oncotype DX testing resulted in clinical benefits in terms of life-years gained (0.62) and quality-adjusted life years (0.54), related to lower incidence of distant recurrence and use of AC, both of which greatly impacted quality of life. Testing resulted in economic benefits, with lower average cost per patient (−BRL 3,855). Incorporation of Oncotype DX testing resulted in potential savings reaching BRL 107 million in the 5th year stemming from the decrease in AC and consequent decrease in indirect costs. Conclusions: Patients with HR+, HER2− early stage BC may present different risks of relapse and likelihoods of benefiting from AC. With high clinical impact for patients and high economic impact for the health system, a tool that safely and accurately identifies the subgroup of patients who really needs AC is essential. Oncotype DX test incorporation in the Brazilian Public Health System should be considered.
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Gottinger, H. W. "Assessment of Social Value in the Allocation of CT Scanners – A Case Study." Methods of Information in Medicine 25, no. 02 (April 1986): 101–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1635453.
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SummaryThis paper describes a case study on the application of decision analytic procedures to the allocation of computer tomography in a given metropolitan health service area, the Munich Metropolitan Area. The analysis could be used as a decision-aiding and decision-supporting instrument for government regulators in making rational resource allocation decisions as to locating high-cost, high-technology medical equipment. Explicit value judgments, reflecting the monetary equivalent of the different categories of benefit, are introduced to facilitate the comparison between decision options. The difference between the (incremental) benefits, measured in monetary terms, and the (incremental) costs is called the net social value and used as the overall decision criterion.Any alternative with positive net social value is judged economically justifiable, and the alternative with the greatest net social value - subject to its stability as to various sensitivity tests on input parameters - is judged to be most attractive from a societal viewpoint.
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Schulz, Claudia, Gisela Büchele, Raphael S. Peter, Dietrich Rothenbacher, Christian Brettschneider, Ulrich C. Liener, Clemens Becker, Kilian Rapp, and Hans-Helmut König. "Health-economic evaluation of collaborative orthogeriatric care for patients with a hip fracture in Germany: a retrospective cohort study using health and long-term care insurance claims data." European Journal of Health Economics 22, no. 6 (April 4, 2021): 873–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10198-021-01295-z.
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Abstract Background Evidence suggests benefits of orthogeriatric co-management (OGCM) for hip fracture patients. Yet, evidence on cost-effectiveness is limited and based on small datasets. The aim of our study was to conduct an economic evaluation of the German OGCM for geriatric hip fracture patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study was based on German health and long-term care insurance data. Individuals were 80 years and older, sustained a hip fracture in 2014, and were treated in hospitals providing OGCM (OGCM group) or standard care (control group). Health care costs from payer and societal perspective, life years gained (LYG) and cost-effectiveness were investigated within 1 year. We applied weighted gamma and two-part models, and entropy balancing to account for the lack of randomisation. We calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) and employed the net-benefit approach to construct cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Results 14,005 patients were treated in OGCM, and 10,512 in standard care hospitals. Total average health care costs per patient were higher in the OGCM group: €1181.53 (p < 0.001) from payer perspective, and €1408.21 (p < 0.001) from societal perspective. The ICER equalled €52,378.12/ LYG from payer and €75,703.44/ LYG from societal perspective. The probability for cost-effectiveness would be 95% if the willingness-to-pay was higher than €82,000/ LYG from payer, and €95,000/ LYG from societal perspective. Conclusion Survival improved in hospitals providing OGCM. Costs were found to increase, driven by inpatient and long-term care. The cost-effectiveness depends on the willingness-to-pay. The ICER is likely to improve with a longer follow-up.
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Lenz-Alcayaga, Rony, Daniela Paredes-Fernández, Karla Hernández-Sánchez, and Juan E. Valencia-Zapata. "Cost-utility analysis: Mechanical thrombectomy plus thrombolysis in ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in the public sector in Chile." Medwave 21, no. 03 (April 30, 2021): e8152-e8152. http://dx.doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2021.03.8152.
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Introduction Several studies demonstrate the therapeutic superiority of thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy versus thrombolysis alone to treat stroke. Objective To analyze the cost-utility of thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy versus thrombolysis in patients with ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Methods Cost-utility analysis. The model used is blended: Decision Tree (first 90 days) and Markov in the long term, of seven health states based on a disease-specific scale, from the Chilean public insurance and societal perspective. Quality-Adjusted Life-Years and costs are evaluated. Deterministic (DSA) and probabilistic (PSA) analyses were carried out. Results From the public insurance perspective, in the base case, mechanical thrombectomy is associated with lower costs in a lifetime horizon, and with higher benefits (2.63 incremental QALYs, and 1.19 discounted incremental life years), at a Net Monetary Benefit (NMB) of CLP 37,289,874, and an Incremental Cost-Utility Ratio (ICUR) of CLP 3,807,413/QALY. For the scenario that incorporates access to rehabilitation, 2.54 incremental QALYs and 1.13 discounted life years were estimated, resulting in an NMB of CLP 35,670,319 and ICUR of CLP 3,960,624/QALY. In the scenario that incorporates access to long-term care from a societal perspective, the ICUR falls to CLP 951,911/QALY, and the NMB raises to CLP 43,318,072, improving the previous scenarios. In the DSA, health states, starting age, and relative risk of dying were the variables with the greatest influence. The PSA for the base case corroborated the estimates. Conclusions Thrombolysis plus mechanical thrombectomy adds quality of life at costs acceptable for decision-makers versus thrombolysis alone. The results are consistent with international studies.
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Behan, Caragh, Brendan Kennelly, Eric Roche, Laoise Renwick, Sarah Masterson, John Lyne, Brian O'Donoghue, et al. "Early intervention in psychosis: health economic evaluation using the net benefit approach in a real-world setting." British Journal of Psychiatry 217, no. 3 (July 24, 2019): 484–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.126.
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BackgroundEarly intervention in psychosis is a complex intervention, usually delivered in a specialist stand-alone setting, which aims to improve outcomes for people with psychosis. Previous studies have been criticised because the control used did not accurately reflect actual practice.AimsTo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of early intervention by estimating the incremental net benefit (INB) of an early-intervention programme, delivered in a real-world setting. INB measures the difference in monetary terms between alternative interventions.MethodTwo contemporaneous incidence-based cohorts presenting with first-episode psychosis, aged 18–65 years, were compared. Costs and outcomes were measured over 1 year. The main outcome was avoidance of a relapse that required admission to hospital or home-based treatment.ResultsFrom the health sector perspective, the probability that early intervention was cost-effective was 0.77. The INB was €2465 per person (95% CI − €4418 to €9347) when society placed a value of €6000, the cost of an in-patient relapse, on preventing a relapse requiring admission or home care. Following adjustment, the probability that early intervention was cost-effective was 1, and the INB to the health sector was €3105 per person (95% CI −€8453 to €14 663). From a societal perspective, the adjusted probability that early intervention was cost-effective was 1, and the INB was €19 928 per person (95% CI − €2075 to €41 931).ConclusionsEarly intervention has a modest INB from the health sector perspective and a large INB from the societal perspective. The perspective chosen is critical when presenting results of an economic evaluation of a complex intervention.
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Sharieff, Waseem, Stanley H. Zlotkin, Wendy J. Ungar, Brian Feldman, Murray D. Krahn, and George Tomlinson. "Economics of preventing premature mortality and impaired cognitive development in children through home-fortification: A health policy perspective." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 24, no. 03 (July 2008): 303–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462308080409.
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Background:Home-fortification is a new strategy of adding micronutrients including zinc and iron to home-made foods. Zinc supplementation may prevent morbidity and mortality related to diarrheal illnesses, and iron supplementation may improve cognitive development, in children.Objectives:To project clinical and economic effects of home-fortification in children in an urban slum of Karachi, Pakistan.Methods:This is a cost benefit analysis of 5,000 simulated male and female infants (6–12 months) assigned to micronutrients or placebo for 4 months and followed for 55 years. We linked the effect of zinc on longitudinal prevalence of diarrhea to mortality, and the effect of iron on hemoglobin to IQ scores and lifetime earnings. Cost estimates were based on volumes of resource utilization from the Pakistan Sprinkles Diarrhea study. Main outcome was incremental benefit defined as the gain in lifetime earnings after accounting for the incremental costs of micronutrients over placebo (societal perspective).Results:Our model projected that the reduction in diarrhea and improvement in hemoglobin concentrations through home-fortification was associated with reduced child mortality, higher IQ scores, and higher earnings. The present value of incremental benefit was $106 (95 percent probability interval = $17 to $193) U.S. dollars, which corresponds to $464.79 ($74.54 to $846.27) international dollars using a purchasing power parity exchange rate.Conclusions:Home-fortification appears to improve clinical outcomes at a reasonable cost, and may actually be cost beneficial when lifetime earnings are considered.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Increment to Societal Benefit"
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Park, Sunoo. "Cryptography for societal benefit." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/118099.
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Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2018.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 331-349).
The deployment of cryptography in society has a range of effects that are not always evident when studying cryptography as a technological construct in isolation. This observation suggests a number of natural research directions that examine cryptography as an instrument of societal influence; that is, as a technological construct in conjunction with its societal effects. This thesis presents the results of six papers spanning the three broad contexts listed next. - Institutional accountability Cryptography can enhance transparency and accountability of institutions seeking public trust, such as governmental agencies, judicial systems, and election infrastructure. - Individual empowerment in oppressive environments Cryptography can empower individuals to communicate securely and undetectably and to preserve their anonymity, even in hostile environments. - Incentivizing collaboration Cryptography can facilitate collaboration between rational -- possibly selfish and/or competing -- parties in a way that is beneficial to all participants, by providing credible guarantees of secrecy and correct protocol execution to mutually distrustful parties.
by Sunoo Park.
Ph. D.
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Svedberg, Victoria. "Towards optimal railway track utilization based on societal benefit." Licentiate thesis, Linköpings universitet, Kommunikations- och transportsystem, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-150995.
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Infrastructure managers in railway systems are striving to have as efficient track utilization as possible. There are no unanimous interpretation of efficiency in terms of track utilization, but the aim of the Swedish Transport Administration is to allocate track capacity such that societal benefit is maximized. This means that the tracks should be used by as much traffic as possible and by traffic that provides as much benefit for the society as possible. To allocate track capacity such that the track utilization is optimal would be an easy task if the track capacity were not a scarce resource. Today, many train operators share railway network and there are cases when two or more operators want to use the same track capacity at the same time. The infrastructure manager must then make priorities and reject some operators, and the question is which operators to reject. The guiding principle is to grant the operators that provide the highest societal benefit access to the tracks. However, the question would then change into how to know which operator that provides the highest societal benefit. In this thesis, the societal benefit of publicly subsidized traffic is estimated using social cost-benefit analysis. Mathematical models and methods are developed for quantifying and computing the number of departures for the publicly subsidized traffic and their distribution in time, i.e. a train timetable, that provides the maximal societal benefit in a social cost-benefit analysis setting. The societal benefit of commercial traffic is estimated using the market value for their requested train timetables. The market value is set using dynamic pricing. A suggestion of a dynamic pricing process that can be used in the train timetabling process is described. Mathematical models and methods for calculating the supply and demand of a track access request are developed and tested, which enables the use of a dynamic pricing process on track capacity
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Gibbons, Eric M. "Cost benefit analysis of tax incremental financing on a school district a case study of the AAA baseball district on the Washoe County School District, Reno, NV /." abstract and full text PDF (UNR users only), 2008. http://0-gateway.proquest.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1460757.
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Driessen, Emiel. "The benefits of bicycling through the fields : Calculating the effects of an increased bicycle commuting scenario in a Swedish rural setting on transport related societal costs." Thesis, Mittuniversitetet, Institutionen för ekoteknik- och hållbart byggande, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-39575.
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Bicycling as a form of active transport has been gaining in popularity amongst policy makers and urban planners. In many cities, it is seen as a beneficial and efficient transport alternative to the congesting and air polluting car. Besides that, bicycling has also shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, noise and come with a range of health benefits when done regularly. Despite studies showing the individual and societal benefits of bicycling in an urban context, there is a lack of literature on how these benefits translate to a rural setting, characterised by longer distances and lower volumes of travellers. A commuting route between Östersund and Krokom was taken to study this. A cost-benefits analysis was performed for this route in which the transport related societal costs were calculated for a hypothetical increased bicycling scenario on this route and compared to the costs of a status quo scenario with no bicycling. Results show significant bicycle related costs such as travel time, and accidents, but also benefits compared to the car such as health and low operating costs. The environmental benefits are relatively small. Due to the results of the study covering a wide range, no conclusion could be drawn on if the studied rural bicycling scenario would be desirable or not. Conservative estimates indicate extra societal costs, while bicycle favouring estimates indicate cost savings.2020-06-05
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CHA, POA-HWA, and 翟保華. "The benefit evaluation of the policy of land value increment tax half of collection --Case study for Ping-Tong." Thesis, 2005. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/08732665162018788087.
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碩士國立中山大學
政治學研究所
93
The 50% reduction of land value increment tax policy was implemented since 1st February 2002 and ended at 31st January 2004. The policy was enforced among every local government in Taiwan for two full years. For every local government, the degree of prosperity and the societal type of its city differs from each other. As for the policy itself, every county and city has different amount of lands to meet the qualification of the policy and different announced land current value. For example, Pingtung(屏東) County is famous for agricultural production. In Pingtung County, although the policy uses half reduction of progressive tax rate to tax the land value nominally, the true origin of the tax is a “public policy” that could affect the whole society. What has been affected or what has affected the policy on its implementation? Whether the prediction of real estate market boost and two times tax income of the Economic Development Advisory Conference are correct? This research is going to make a benefit evaluation of the policy’s implementation. The research method of this research consists of survey, in-depth interview, and collection of governmental information and the research concentrated on presenting both objective and subjective perspectives, which will be showed in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 for mutual proof of the policy’s benefits. In terms of subjective evaluation, the land value increment tax policy benefited less then 20% for boosting the real estate market. On the contrary, according to our research result, 57.9% consider the policy as low interest loan, 70.6% thinks the policy is good for tax reduction, 76.6% thinks the policy is good for bankers, 52.4% thinks the real estate value never increased, 76% thinks the policy increases cases of “faking trade but bestow in real,”48.4% thinks the policy increase case of legal auction, 47.1% thinks it qualify for fair and justice, 44.3% thinks only consortium benefited from the policy, and 41.9% thinks the policy affected the social security. Among the objective governmental statistical information, it was found that the cases of legal auction indeed grew twice more. Before the implement of the policy, in 2001, there were 1890 cases. Since the implement in 2002, there were 3882 cases and 5839 cases in 2003.Furthermore, the issue of construction license and exercising of new house building also increased. In 2001, there were 1171 cases. In 2002, there were 1693 cases. In 2003, there were 2213 cases. However, during our in-depth interview, it was found that previous demonstrated growth of licenses was not due to the policy. The income of land value increment tax was 967805000NTD in 2001, 1160959000NDB in 2003. To sum up, the increment of real estate shifting cases and new built houses does not represent increment of tax income. Nonetheless, from both the subjective and objective evaluation, it is found that the policy is a good opportunity for tax reduction but not the primary reason for boosting land trading. It actually fastens the cases of legal auction, lower the bad debts and exceeding release ratio of banks, benefits only the consortium but shrink the budget of social security, and there might be no land tax in the incoming years. The policy does not meet the “mark-up goes to the public” concept of the equal land right policy.
Books on the topic "Increment to Societal Benefit"
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Twin-Win Research: Breakthrough Theories and Validated Solutions for Societal Benefit, Second Edition. Morgan & Claypool Publishers, 2018.
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Baker, Victor R. Interdisciplinarity and the Earth Sciences. Edited by Robert Frodeman. Oxford University Press, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198733522.013.8.
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The inherent interdisciplinary of the Earth sciences derives from combining aspects of other disciplines when studying the Earth. Though most commonly viewed as providing science-as-knowledge, the Earth sciences can yield greater societal benefit through their nature-directed transdisciplinarity. As an example, paleoflood hydrology involves a relating to the complexities of natural world that overcomes limitations imposed when simplifying reality in order to make predictions. Paleoflood hydrology discovers the natural recordings of ancient (but very real) cataclysmic processes that have the documented ability to cause harm. The commonsense recognition that what has actually happened can indeed happen again provides much more incentive to generate engaged and wise public action than does an abstract prediction of the so-called hundred-year flood. This kind of science differs from that of its constituent disciplines, and it has great potential for making progress on many issues of current societal concern through public education, communication, and guided policy.
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Bunte, Jonas B. Raise the Debt. Oxford University Press, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190866167.001.0001.
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Governments frequently borrow money. It is often assumed that it is creditors, and creditors alone, who determine what loans developing countries obtain. Yet this is only partially true: the data show that countries with the same credit rating, income levels, and degree of democracy exhibit a remarkable diversity in the types of creditors used. Some borrow from China, while others turn to the United States; some borrow from private investors, while others rely on multilateral institutions. Apparently, developing countries have some choice. Developing countries are not merely passive recipients gobbling up whatever loans they can get, but active agents. This book systematically explains how governments choose among competing loan offers. The argument focuses on societal interest groups in recipient countries and the distributional consequences of external loans. For example, China and the International Monetary Fund might both offer the same loan volume, but the strings attached to the loans differ. As a result, domestic interest groups would benefit from one loan but not the other. Governments then cater to whichever domestic interest group coalition dominates by borrowing from that coalition’s preferred creditor. Interviews with decision-makers in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia provide strong evidence that domestic politics shape borrowing decisions. A Statistical analyses confirms that borrowing portfolios around the world reflect the relative strength of societal interest groups. Understanding why certain loans are chosen is critical for gaining insights into the effects these loans might have on growth and democracy.
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Budke, Christine M., Hélène Carabin, and Paul R. Torgerson. Health impact assessment and burden of zoonotic diseases. Oxford University Press, 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198570028.003.0004.
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Numerous zoonotic diseases cause morbidity, mortality and productivity losses in both humans and animal populations. Recent studies suggest that these diseases can produce large societal impacts in endemic areas. Estimates of monetary impact and disease burden provide essential, evidence-based data for conducting cost-benefit and cost-utility analyses that can contribute to securing political will and financial and technical resources. To evaluate burden, monetary and non-monetary impacts of zoonoses on human health, agriculture and society should be comprehensively considered. This chapter reviews the framework used to assess the health impact and burden of zoonoses and the data needed to estimate the extent of the problem for societies. Case studies are presented to illustrate the use of burden of disease assessment for the zoonotic diseases cystic echinococcosis, Taenia solium cysticercosis, brucellosis and rabies.
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Heyns, Christof, and Tess Borden. Unmanned Weapons. Edited by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Naomi Cahn, Dina Francesca Haynes, and Nahla Valji. Oxford University Press, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199300983.013.30.
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This chapter reviews technological advances in weapons systems from a gendered perspective. It describes how unmanned weapons affect women in targeted societies and targeting societies, exploring ways in which traditional gender roles are both exacerbated and relaxed by this weaponry. With respect to masculinity, the chapter discusses the potential for emasculation of traditional male combatants in targeting societies and the dehumanization of men in targeted societies. Drawing on feminist critiques, the chapter closes with a discussion of ethical concerns, including the potential for downplaying collateral damage and overlooking broader societal impacts caused by unmanned weapons. Ultimately, the chapter suggests that although the use of unmanned weapons may theoretically create opportunities for greater gender equality, such benefit is likely outweighed by the risks of depersonalizing the use of force.
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de Saille, Stevienna, Fabien Medvecky, Michiel Van Oudheusden, Kevin Albertson, Effie Amanatidou, Timothy Birabi, and Mario Pansera. Responsibility Beyond Growth. Policy Press, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781529208177.001.0001.
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Innovation is generally considered to be the antidote to economic stagnation. But while the coupling of ‘responsible' and 'innovation’ has been much discussed, that of 'responsible stagnation' has gone largely unexplored. In this book, we take this concept seriously as a means to question the political economy of science, technology and innovation, both as policy and as process, and the problems which arise from unquestioned emphasis on innovation as the means to increase GDP. The book argues that examining what 'responsible stagnation' might contribute opens new space in the growing global discussion about RI, incorporating innovation in non-market oriented processes, goods and services which have strong societal benefit but do not necessarily contribute to GDP. It examines the conundrum of diminishing productivity returns and increased environmental and social hazards associated with attempts to increase GDP, and how taking a growth-agnostic approach contributes to recalibrating innovation around responsibility as its focal point. Drawing on insights from ecological and steady state economics, Science and Technology Studies, and social innovation across the world, this interdisciplinary group of scholars questions how the growth paradigm shapes and limits the innovation space, and how decoupling innovation from growth points toward myriad possibilities for facilitating human well-being in more environmentally and socially responsible ways.
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Madsen, Frank G. International Organization and Crime, and Corruption. Oxford University Press, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.232.
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The intersection of international organization and crime and corruption has been garnering increasing interest from international studies scholars and practitioners. An international organization can be defined, following the International Law Commission, as an “organization established by a treaty or other instrument governed by international law and possessing its own international legal personality.” International organizations generally have States as members, but often other entities can also apply for membership. They both make international law and are governed by it. Yet, the decision-making process of international organizations is often less a question of law than one of political judgment. Meanwhile, corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person, or an institution, entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit. Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement, though it may also involve practices that are legal in many countries. Government, or 'political', corruption occurs when an office-holder or other governmental employee acts in an official capacity for personal gain. Strangely, the most important contribution to the field of organized crime did not come from criminology, legal studies, or international studies, but from philosophy. Recognizing both criminal law and international relations as the exercise of power, Michel Foucault introduced radically new thinking in the area of societal control in relation to the study of organized crime.
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Smith, Katherine, Justyna Bandola-Gill, Nasar Meer, Ellen Stewart, and Richard Watermeyer. The Impact Agenda. Policy Press, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781447339854.001.0001.
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As international interest in promoting and assessing the impact of research grows, this book examines the ensuing controversies, consequences and challenges. It places a particular emphasis on learning from experiences in the UK, since this is the country at the forefront of a range of new approaches to incentivising, monitoring and rewarding research impact achievements. The book aims to understand the origins and rationale for these changes and to critically assess their consequences for academic practice. Combining a review of existing literature with a range of new qualitative data (from interviews, focus groups and documentary analysis), The Impact Agenda is unique in providing a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary empirical examination of the ways in which various forms of research impact assessment are shaping academic practices. Although the primary focus of the book is on the UK, the book also considers the different approaches that other countries with an interest in research impact are taking (notably Australia, Canada and the Netherlands). While noting the benefits that the increasing emphasis on outward facing work is bringing, the book draws attention to a wide range of challenges and controversies associated with research impact assessment and, in particular, with the UK’s chosen approach. It concludes by using the insights in the book to propose an alternative, more theoretically robust approach to incentivising and rewarding efforts to undertake and use academic research for societal benefit.
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Schmidt, Dieter, and Simon Shorvon. Is the End of Epilepsy in Sight? Oxford University Press, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198725909.003.0008.
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The best proxy for the end of epilepsy is the complete cessation of seizures and the permanent ending of the need for further treatment. This marks the end of the biology of epilepsy, but not necessarily of all its societal consequences. The good news is that today over 80% of people developing epilepsy will reach this goal after a few years of treatment. Unfortunately, though, not all patients can reach this point, and it is for these patients that we seek improvements in the future. The end of epilepsy is not always easy to predict at the beginning. The taking of drugs is an issue, as always, of risk versus benefit, and although there are some benefits to discontinuation, this has to be balanced against the risk of seizure recurrence. Even if drugs alone don’t work, additional surgery may end epilepsy in as many as one in four people with amenable epilepsy. New thinking and new strategies for drug treatment, which not only control seizures but also address the underlying processes resulting in epilepsy, offer new horizons. The bottom line is that a revolution in discovery and development is needed. Epilepsy is, as pointed out throughout this book, more than having seizures, and so thus the scope of its treatment should be broader than simple seizure suppression. The end of epilepsy is, like the end of the rainbow, on the horizon, but equally tantalisingly difficult to reach.
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Frijters, Paul, and Christian Krekel. A Handbook for Wellbeing Policy-Making. Oxford University Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192896803.001.0001.
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Around the world, governments are starting to directly measure the subjective wellbeing of their citizens and to use it for policy evaluation and appraisal. What would happen if a country were to move from using GDP to using subjective wellbeing as the primary metric for measuring economic and societal progress? Would policy priorities change? Would we continue to care about economic growth? What role would different government institutions play in such a scenario? And, most importantly, how could this be implemented in daily practice, for example in policy evaluations and appraisals of government analysts, or in political agenda-setting at the top level? This book provides answers to these questions from a conceptual to a technical level by showing how direct measures of subjective wellbeing can be used for policy evaluation and appraisal, either complementary in the short run or even entirely in the long run. It gives a brief history of the idea that governments should care about the happiness of their citizens, provides theories, makes suggestions for direct measurement, derives technical standards, shows how to conduct wellbeing cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses, and gives examples of how real-world policy evaluations and appraisals would change if they were based on subjective wellbeing. In doing so, the book serves the growing interest of governments as well as non-governmental and international organizations in how to put subjective wellbeing metrics into policy practice.
Book chapters on the topic "Increment to Societal Benefit"
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Bastianin, Andrea. "Findings from the LHC/HL-LHC Programme." In The Economics of Big Science, 71–77. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52391-6_10.
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Abstract This note summarizes the results of a social Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) of the High Luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The social CBA methodology is well-suited to assess social costs and benefits of the HL-LHC up to 2038. The analysis shows that the ratio between incremental benefits and incremental costs of the HL-LHC with respect to operating the LHC under normal consolidation (i.e. without high-luminosity upgrade) is slightly over 1.7, meaning that each Swiss Franc invested in the HL-LHC upgrade project pays back approximately 1.7 CHF in societal benefits. The rest of the note is organized as follows. We first discuss the merits of CBA; next, we present the methodology and discuss the results.
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Mahmoud, Israa, and Eugenio Morello. "Co-creation Pathway for Urban Nature-Based Solutions: Testing a Shared-Governance Approach in Three Cities and Nine Action Labs." In Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions, 259–76. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57764-3_17.
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AbstractNature-based solutions (NBS) implementation in urban contexts has proven outcoming multiple benefits to reverse the current trend of natural resources’ degradation adversely affecting biodiversity, human health, and wellbeing. Yet, the current urban-planning policy frameworks present a rigid structure to integrate NBS definitions, and their co-benefits to get mainstreamed and up scaled on a wider urban spatial dimension. In this research, we test a complete co-creation pathway that encourages decision-makers to embed citizen engagement methodologies as an approach to co-design and co-implement NBS in shared-governance processes aiming to increment the greening of urban spaces, towards more inclusive and climate resilient cities. On one hand, we assess a tendency to involve a multiplicity of stakeholders that collaborate to the establishment of an Urban Innovation Partnership (UIP) aiming at increasing the social awareness around NBS themes, and at the same time tackling both financial and governance aspects. On the other hand, the innovation embedded in NBS paves the way to combine a multi-scalar flexibility in implementation tools and place-based urban actions, hence resulting in widespread economic, environmental, and social impacts in place. The novelty in embedding the co-creation process in urban-planning practice lies in catalyzing resources towards the transposition of research into practice through policy and planning tools for local authorities and decision-makers. Three front-runner cities (Hamburg, London, and Milan) are under investigation as part of Clever Cities—a Horizon 2020 project—aiming at implementing NBS in diverse urban-regeneration processes, through nine up-running Urban Living Labs (ULLs). Grounded on a comparative analysis of these three cities, key characterization for NBS implementation framework could be categorized into: (1) current urban-planning greening strategies in each context, (2) specific environmental and societal challenges addressed, (3) different typologies and scales of NBS integration within urban morphologies, (4) specific governance process as response to co-design and co-implementation processes, and (5) availability of financial investment and main stakeholders. As research results, we emphasize using co-creation approach in urban planning to embed and upscale NBS in an inclusive shared-governance process, hence contributing to social awareness and acceptance. Meanwhile, spatial, and financial challenges could be majorly resolved using a multi-scalar approach to manage newly embedded urban-greening policies at the urban level. Lastly, the implementation scale of NBS with local communities requires a radical paradigmatic shift in societal, individual and administrative urban-planning practices.
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Runcie, Robert. "The Need for Risk Benefit Analysis." In Quantified Societal Risk and Policy Making, 154–57. Boston, MA: Springer US, 1998. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2801-9_15.
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Mehetre, S. T., and S. Chattopadhyay. "Role of BARC Technologies in Agriculture for Benefit of Farming Community in India." In Techno-Societal 2016, 11–15. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53556-2_2.
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Bhaskaranarayana, A., and P. K. Jain. "Space Based Societal Applications." In Space Technologies for the Benefit of Human Society and Earth, 483–508. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9573-3_19.
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Spitzeck, Heiko. "TerraCycle – A Business Founded for Societal Benefit Generation." In Humanistic Management in Practice, 266–76. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/9780230306585_18.
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Deepa and Prateek Gupta. "Appraising the Societal Approach of India through the Social Cost Benefit Matrix." In The Stances of e-GovernmentPolicies, 69–84. Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, 2019.: Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9780203731451-8.
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Pleeging, Emma, and Martijn Burger. "Hope in Economics." In Historical and Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Hope, 165–78. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46489-9_9.
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Abstract As a topic of research in economics, hope has not been very prevalent. Following the neo-classical paradigm, economists have tended to focus on rationality, self-interest, and universals. A normative and subjective experience such as hope was not believed to fit well with this perspective. However, the development of several heterodox economic approaches over the past decades, such as behavioral economics, has led to renewed attention being given to emotion, subjectivity, and normativity. Economic research on concepts related to hope, such as anticipatory feelings, (consumer) confidence, expectations and aspirations has consequently increased. In general, these studies find that hopeful feelings have a strong motivating power for (economic) behavior. By and large, the effects of hope seem to be positive, ranging from longevity and health to innovation and well-being. Nonetheless, there have also been indications that prompt caution, for example when it comes to false hopes, disappointment, or possible manipulation of societal hope. The field of economics has gained much valuable insight from existing research but we argue that it could gain from further definitional clarity. We discuss the difference between hope and related concepts such as optimism, in particular when it comes to economic research, and suggest topics for future research that could benefit from a focus on hope.
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Huntjens, Patrick. "Conclusion." In Towards a Natural Social Contract, 171–76. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67130-3_8.
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AbstractIn this book, I argue that the societal fault lines of our times are deeply intertwined and that they confront us with challenges affecting the security, fairness, and sustainability of our societies. Overcoming these existential challenges will require a fundamental shift from our current anthropocentric and economic growth-oriented approach to a more ecocentric and regenerative approach. The outline of a Natural Social Contract presented in this book serves as a counter-proposal to existing social contracts. A Natural Social Contract implies an existential change in the way humankind lives in and interacts with its social and natural environment, and emphasizes long-term sustainability and the general welfare of both humankind and planet Earth. Achieving this crucial balance calls for an end to unlimited economic growth, overconsumption, and overindividualization for the benefit of ourselves, our planet, and future generations. To this end, sustainability, health, and justice in all social-ecological systems will require systemic innovation and prioritizing a collective effort. The Transformative Social-Ecological Innovation (TSEI) framework presented in this book serves that cause. It helps to diagnose and advance innovation and spur change across sectors, disciplines, and at different levels of governance. Altogether, TSEI identifies intervention points and formulates jointly developed and shared solutions to inform policy- and lawmakers, administrators, concerned citizens, and professionals dedicated towards a more sustainable, healthy, and just society.
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Zillner, Sonja, Laure Le Bars, Nuria de Lama, Simon Scerri, Ana García Robles, Marie Claire Tonna, Jim Kenneally, et al. "A Roadmap to Drive Adoption of Data Ecosystems." In The Elements of Big Data Value, 41–62. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68176-0_3.
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AbstractTo support the adoption of big data value, it is essential to foster, strengthen, and support the development of big data value technologies, successful use cases and data-driven business models. At the same time, it is necessary to deal with many different aspects of an increasingly complex data ecosystem. Creating a productive ecosystem for big data and driving accelerated adoption requires an interdisciplinary approach addressing a wide range of challenges from access to data and infrastructure, to technical barriers, skills, and policy and regulation. In order to overcome the adoption challenges, collective action from all stakeholders in an effective, holistic and coherent manner is required. To this end, the Big Data Value Public-Private Partnership (BDV PPP) was established to develop the European data ecosystem and enable data-driven digital transformation, delivering maximum economic and societal benefit, and achieving and sustaining Europe’s leadership in the fields of big data value creation and Artificial Intelligence. This chapter describes the different steps that have been taken to address the big data value adoption challenges: first, the establishment of the BDV PPP to mobilise and create coherence with all stakeholders in the European data ecosystem; second, the introduction of five strategic mechanisms to encourage cooperation and coordination in the data ecosystem; third, a three-phase roadmap to guide the development of a healthy European data ecosystem; and fourth, a systematic and strategic approach towards actively engaging the key communities in the European Data Value Ecosystem.
Conference papers on the topic "Increment to Societal Benefit"
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Lappas, Georgios. "An Overview of Web Mining in Societal Benefit Areas." In The 9th IEEE International Conference on E-Commerce Technology and The 4th IEEE International Conference on Enterprise Computing, E-Commerce and E-Services (CEC-EEE 2007). IEEE, 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/cec-eee.2007.22.
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van de Wouw, John. "The NPOESS direct readout mission for societal benefit - GEOSS." In Asia-Pacific Remote Sensing, edited by Stephen A. Mango, Stephen P. Sandford, Ranganath R. Navalgund, and Haruhisa Shimoda. SPIE, 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.814573.
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Strother, Charles E., Charles Y. Warner, Ronald L. Woolley, and Michael B. James. "The Assessment of the Societal Benefit of Side Impact Protection." In International Congress & Exposition. 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA, United States: SAE International, 1990. http://dx.doi.org/10.4271/900379.
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Nargotra, Meghal, and Mandar J. Khurjekar. "Green house based on IoT and AI for societal benefit." In 2020 International Conference on Emerging Smart Computing and Informatics (ESCI). IEEE, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/esci48226.2020.9167637.
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Magazinik, Anastasiya, Joel Sauza Bedolla, Nuria Catalan Lasheras, and Saku Makinen. "Societal impact as Cost-Benefit Analysis: Comparative analysis of two research infrastructures." In 2019 IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC). IEEE, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ice.2019.8792600.
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Brost, Randy C. "Siting Energy Storage and Distribution Resources for Societal Benefit During Long-Term Outages." In 2020 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM). IEEE, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/pesgm41954.2020.9281424.
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Rosen, Paul A., Scott Hensley, Scott Shaffer, Louise Veilleux, Manab Chakraborty, Tapan Misra, Rakesh Bhan, V. Raju Sagi, and R. Satish. "The NASA-ISRO SAR mission - An international space partnership for science and societal benefit." In 2015 IEEE International Radar Conference (RadarCon). IEEE, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/radar.2015.7131255.
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Killough, Jr., Brian D., Stephen P. Sandford, L. DeWayne Cecil, Shelley Stover, and Kim Keith. "Optimizing societal benefit using a systems engineering approach for implementation of the GEOSS space segment." In Asia-Pacific Remote Sensing, edited by Stephen A. Mango, Stephen P. Sandford, Ranganath R. Navalgund, and Haruhisa Shimoda. SPIE, 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.804848.
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Corder, Megan, and Christodoulos Kypridemos. "P98 Cost-benefit analysis of advance care planning for the end of life: a societal perspective." In Society for Social Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech-2021-ssmabstracts.184.
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Li, Furong. "The Benefit of a Long-run Incremental Pricing Methodology to Future Network Development." In 2007 IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting. IEEE, 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/pes.2007.385988.
Full textReports on the topic "Increment to Societal Benefit"
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Saville, Alan, and Caroline Wickham-Jones, eds. Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Scotland : Scottish Archaeological Research Framework Panel Report. Society for Antiquaries of Scotland, June 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.9750/scarf.06.2012.163.
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Why research Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Scotland? Palaeolithic and Mesolithic archaeology sheds light on the first colonisation and subsequent early inhabitation of Scotland. It is a growing and exciting field where increasing Scottish evidence has been given wider significance in the context of European prehistory. It extends over a long period, which saw great changes, including substantial environmental transformations, and the impact of, and societal response to, climate change. The period as a whole provides the foundation for the human occupation of Scotland and is crucial for understanding prehistoric society, both for Scotland and across North-West Europe. Within the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods there are considerable opportunities for pioneering research. Individual projects can still have a substantial impact and there remain opportunities for pioneering discoveries including cemeteries, domestic and other structures, stratified sites, and for exploring the huge evidential potential of water-logged and underwater sites. Palaeolithic and Mesolithic archaeology also stimulates and draws upon exciting multi-disciplinary collaborations. Panel Task and Remit The panel remit was to review critically the current state of knowledge and consider promising areas of future research into the earliest prehistory of Scotland. This was undertaken with a view to improved understanding of all aspects of the colonization and inhabitation of the country by peoples practising a wholly hunter-fisher-gatherer way of life prior to the advent of farming. In so doing, it was recognised as particularly important that both environmental data (including vegetation, fauna, sea level, and landscape work) and cultural change during this period be evaluated. The resultant report, outlines the different areas of research in which archaeologists interested in early prehistory work, and highlights the research topics to which they aspire. The report is structured by theme: history of investigation; reconstruction of the environment; the nature of the archaeological record; methodologies for recreating the past; and finally, the lifestyles of past people – the latter representing both a statement of current knowledge and the ultimate aim for archaeologists; the goal of all the former sections. The document is reinforced by material on-line which provides further detail and resources. The Palaeolithic and Mesolithic panel report of ScARF is intended as a resource to be utilised, built upon, and kept updated, hopefully by those it has helped inspire and inform as well as those who follow in their footsteps. Future Research The main recommendations of the panel report can be summarized under four key headings: Visibility: Due to the considerable length of time over which sites were formed, and the predominant mobility of the population, early prehistoric remains are to be found right across the landscape, although they often survive as ephemeral traces and in low densities. Therefore, all archaeological work should take into account the expectation of Palaeolithic and Mesolithic ScARF Panel Report iv encountering early prehistoric remains. This applies equally to both commercial and research archaeology, and to amateur activity which often makes the initial discovery. This should not be seen as an obstacle, but as a benefit, and not finding such remains should be cause for question. There is no doubt that important evidence of these periods remains unrecognised in private, public, and commercial collections and there is a strong need for backlog evaluation, proper curation and analysis. The inadequate representation of Palaeolithic and Mesolithic information in existing national and local databases must be addressed. Collaboration: Multi-disciplinary, collaborative, and cross- sector approaches must be encouraged – site prospection, prediction, recognition, and contextualisation are key areas to this end. Reconstructing past environments and their chronological frameworks, and exploring submerged and buried landscapes offer existing examples of fruitful, cross-disciplinary work. Palaeolithic and Mesolithic archaeology has an important place within Quaternary science and the potential for deeply buried remains means that geoarchaeology should have a prominent role. Innovation: Research-led projects are currently making a substantial impact across all aspects of Palaeolithic and Mesolithic archaeology; a funding policy that acknowledges risk and promotes the innovation that these periods demand should be encouraged. The exploration of lesser known areas, work on different types of site, new approaches to artefacts, and the application of novel methodologies should all be promoted when engaging with the challenges of early prehistory. Tackling the ‘big questions’: Archaeologists should engage with the big questions of earliest prehistory in Scotland, including the colonisation of new land, how lifestyles in past societies were organized, the effects of and the responses to environmental change, and the transitions to new modes of life. This should be done through a holistic view of the available data, encompassing all the complexities of interpretation and developing competing and testable models. Scottish data can be used to address many of the currently topical research topics in archaeology, and will provide a springboard to a better understanding of early prehistoric life in Scotland and beyond.
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African Open Science Platform Part 1: Landscape Study. Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2019/0047.
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This report maps the African landscape of Open Science – with a focus on Open Data as a sub-set of Open Science. Data to inform the landscape study were collected through a variety of methods, including surveys, desk research, engagement with a community of practice, networking with stakeholders, participation in conferences, case study presentations, and workshops hosted. Although the majority of African countries (35 of 54) demonstrates commitment to science through its investment in research and development (R&D), academies of science, ministries of science and technology, policies, recognition of research, and participation in the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), the following countries demonstrate the highest commitment and political willingness to invest in science: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. In addition to existing policies in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), the following countries have made progress towards Open Data policies: Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda. Only two African countries (Kenya and South Africa) at this stage contribute 0.8% of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to R&D (Research and Development), which is the closest to the AU’s (African Union’s) suggested 1%. Countries such as Lesotho and Madagascar ranked as 0%, while the R&D expenditure for 24 African countries is unknown. In addition to this, science globally has become fully dependent on stable ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) infrastructure, which includes connectivity/bandwidth, high performance computing facilities and data services. This is especially applicable since countries globally are finding themselves in the midst of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), which is not only “about” data, but which “is” data. According to an article1 by Alan Marcus (2015) (Senior Director, Head of Information Technology and Telecommunications Industries, World Economic Forum), “At its core, data represents a post-industrial opportunity. Its uses have unprecedented complexity, velocity and global reach. As digital communications become ubiquitous, data will rule in a world where nearly everyone and everything is connected in real time. That will require a highly reliable, secure and available infrastructure at its core, and innovation at the edge.” Every industry is affected as part of this revolution – also science. An important component of the digital transformation is “trust” – people must be able to trust that governments and all other industries (including the science sector), adequately handle and protect their data. This requires accountability on a global level, and digital industries must embrace the change and go for a higher standard of protection. “This will reassure consumers and citizens, benefitting the whole digital economy”, says Marcus. A stable and secure information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure – currently provided by the National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) – is key to advance collaboration in science. The AfricaConnect2 project (AfricaConnect (2012–2014) and AfricaConnect2 (2016–2018)) through establishing connectivity between National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), is planning to roll out AfricaConnect3 by the end of 2019. The concern however is that selected African governments (with the exception of a few countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia and others) have low awareness of the impact the Internet has today on all societal levels, how much ICT (and the 4th Industrial Revolution) have affected research, and the added value an NREN can bring to higher education and research in addressing the respective needs, which is far more complex than simply providing connectivity. Apart from more commitment and investment in R&D, African governments – to become and remain part of the 4th Industrial Revolution – have no option other than to acknowledge and commit to the role NRENs play in advancing science towards addressing the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals). For successful collaboration and direction, it is fundamental that policies within one country are aligned with one another. Alignment on continental level is crucial for the future Pan-African African Open Science Platform to be successful. Both the HIPSSA ((Harmonization of ICT Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa)3 project and WATRA (the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly)4, have made progress towards the regulation of the telecom sector, and in particular of bottlenecks which curb the development of competition among ISPs. A study under HIPSSA identified potential bottlenecks in access at an affordable price to the international capacity of submarine cables and suggested means and tools used by regulators to remedy them. Work on the recommended measures and making them operational continues in collaboration with WATRA. In addition to sufficient bandwidth and connectivity, high-performance computing facilities and services in support of data sharing are also required. The South African National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System5 (NICIS) has made great progress in planning and setting up a cyberinfrastructure ecosystem in support of collaborative science and data sharing. The regional Southern African Development Community6 (SADC) Cyber-infrastructure Framework provides a valuable roadmap towards high-speed Internet, developing human capacity and skills in ICT technologies, high- performance computing and more. The following countries have been identified as having high-performance computing facilities, some as a result of the Square Kilometre Array7 (SKA) partnership: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia. More and more NRENs – especially the Level 6 NRENs 8 (Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and recently Zambia) – are exploring offering additional services; also in support of data sharing and transfer. The following NRENs already allow for running data-intensive applications and sharing of high-end computing assets, bio-modelling and computation on high-performance/ supercomputers: KENET (Kenya), TENET (South Africa), RENU (Uganda), ZAMREN (Zambia), EUN (Egypt) and ARN (Algeria). Fifteen higher education training institutions from eight African countries (Botswana, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania) have been identified as offering formal courses on data science. In addition to formal degrees, a number of international short courses have been developed and free international online courses are also available as an option to build capacity and integrate as part of curricula. The small number of higher education or research intensive institutions offering data science is however insufficient, and there is a desperate need for more training in data science. The CODATA-RDA Schools of Research Data Science aim at addressing the continental need for foundational data skills across all disciplines, along with training conducted by The Carpentries 9 programme (specifically Data Carpentry 10 ). Thus far, CODATA-RDA schools in collaboration with AOSP, integrating content from Data Carpentry, were presented in Rwanda (in 2018), and during17-29 June 2019, in Ethiopia. Awareness regarding Open Science (including Open Data) is evident through the 12 Open Science-related Open Access/Open Data/Open Science declarations and agreements endorsed or signed by African governments; 200 Open Access journals from Africa registered on the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ); 174 Open Access institutional research repositories registered on openDOAR (Directory of Open Access Repositories); 33 Open Access/Open Science policies registered on ROARMAP (Registry of Open Access Repository Mandates and Policies); 24 data repositories registered with the Registry of Data Repositories (re3data.org) (although the pilot project identified 66 research data repositories); and one data repository assigned the CoreTrustSeal. Although this is a start, far more needs to be done to align African data curation and research practices with global standards. Funding to conduct research remains a challenge. African researchers mostly fund their own research, and there are little incentives for them to make their research and accompanying data sets openly accessible. Funding and peer recognition, along with an enabling research environment conducive for research, are regarded as major incentives. The landscape report concludes with a number of concerns towards sharing research data openly, as well as challenges in terms of Open Data policy, ICT infrastructure supportive of data sharing, capacity building, lack of skills, and the need for incentives. Although great progress has been made in terms of Open Science and Open Data practices, more awareness needs to be created and further advocacy efforts are required for buy-in from African governments. A federated African Open Science Platform (AOSP) will not only encourage more collaboration among researchers in addressing the SDGs, but it will also benefit the many stakeholders identified as part of the pilot phase. The time is now, for governments in Africa, to acknowledge the important role of science in general, but specifically Open Science and Open Data, through developing and aligning the relevant policies, investing in an ICT infrastructure conducive for data sharing through committing funding to making NRENs financially sustainable, incentivising open research practices by scientists, and creating opportunities for more scientists and stakeholders across all disciplines to be trained in data management.