Call for proposals: Audiovisual production and touch screen adaptation of SAASTA media round table

In order to expand the reach of the audiovisual material and the excellent and accurate scientific content of the MRTs, SAASTA now invites creative and innovative proposals from groups or individuals to adapt the existing audiovisual material.

The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) is a business unit of the National Research Foundation. SAASTA's mission is to promote broad public awareness, appreciation and understanding of science, engineering and technology in South Africa.

The Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) programme, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is implemented by SAASTA's Science Communication Unit across all sectors of society.

PUB has been hosting a series of media round tables (MRTs) around South Africa. The MRTs are interactive media briefings where the media are the target audience, involving a cross section of relevant stakeholders to enable all perspectives/viewpoints to be expressed and discussed in equal standing. MRTs also help to bridge the communication divide between researchers/scientists and the media which is often responsible for the poor quality and quantity of accurate media reporting. Ultimately, MRTs will lead to improved understanding by the South African lay person of biotechnology issues.

To date, the PUB Programme has undertaken four MRT events focusing on:

1) Human cloning and related issues (November 2005);
2) Biofuels (March 2008);
3) Use of GMOs in the Wine Industry (June 2008);
4) Biotechnology and medical research (October 2008); and

Full high quality video coverage has been obtained of the three MRTs that were held in 2008. In order to expand the reach of the audiovisual material and the excellent and accurate scientific content of the MRTs, SAASTA now invites creative and innovative proposals from groups or individuals to adapt the existing audiovisual material.

Requirements:
• Adaptation of the existing material to a suitable format for screening on national television. The proposal needs to include the negotiation with public broadcast agencies for the ideal placement of the programmes.
• Adapting the material into a touch-screen computer resource for learners, under- and graduate students, postgraduate students, researchers and communication practitioners at science centres and higher education institutions, public libraries and potential funders/donors.

Only one proposal per applicant should be submitted. Only proposals submitted with a clear outline of the proposed deliverables and budget breakdown will be considered.

For more details on requirement visit the SAASTA or PUB websites: www.saasta.ac.za or www.pub.ac.za

Selection criteria:
• Quality and relevance of the proposal for the content of the proposed documentary
• A strong focus on interactive training
• Creativity and innovativeness of approach
• Cost effectiveness of the proposal
• Budget
• Inclusion of monitoring and evaluation measures to illustrate the success of the touch-screen component.

Experience of working in the science system will be an advantage

Closing date
All proposals must be submitted to SAASTA electronically/by fax or hand delivered.

The deadline for submitting proposals is at the close of business on 23 January 2009. Submissions received after this date will not be considered.

Enquiries:
Enquiries should be directed to:
Dr. Manjusha Joseph
Biotechnology Science Communicator-PUB
SAASTA
Tel: 012 392 9300
Fax: 012 320 7803
Email:

Physical Address: Didacta Building
211 Skinner Street
Pretoria Central
0001

Postal Address: P.O Box 1758
Pretoria
0002