The first face-to-face SAPRI Science Engagement planning meeting was organised and hosted by the South African Environment Observation Network (SAEON) Science Engagement team.

The workshop was held on the 5th of April 2022, in Gauteng, South Africa.

The program started with an introduction and an overview of SAPRI by Dr Tamaryn Morris, the co-champion of SAPRI. Ria Olivier introduced the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) to the delegates and the role ALSA plays within the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) and its future role within the SAPRI DPS (Data, Products and Societal benefits). The SAEON Science Coordinator, Kogie Govender, introduced environmental science education/outreach focus areas of SAEON and how SAEON’s efforts will be of advantage and incorporated into the SAPRI Science Engagement efforts.

A presentation on web development was delivered by Zack Smith (SAEON), to get some ideas going for the SAPRI website. Thomas Mtontsi (Environmental Science Education Officer, SAEON) gave an overview of the Draft SAPRI Science Engagement Policy. This policy is a work in progress and two valuable workshop activities, hosted by Kogie Govender, were indicative of new ideas and audiences that need to be incorporated into this policy.

The next meeting will be virtual and the SAPRI Science Engagement Policy will be a joint effort between ALSA, SAEON, and APECS-SA (Association for Polar Early Career Scientists – South Africa). 

Featured image (L-R) Back: Joe Sibiya (SAEON), Dr Christel Hansen (APECS-SA), Ria Olivier (ALSA), Tahlia Henry (ALSA), Caitlin Ransom (SAEON); (Front) Thomas Mtontsi (SAEON), Dr Tamaryn Morris (Co-champion SAPRI), Kogie Govender (SAEON), Anche Louw (ALSA), Nozi Hambaze (SAEON) and Dr Liezel Rudolph (APECS-SA).