2021 Virtual Nobel-Inspired Lecture: The meaning of Science in the age of Covid-19, one year later

Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic in March 2020, science and scientists have been propelled to the forefront to play the critical role of informing global strategies on tackling and managing the disease. Consequently, science has received high and consistent media coverage worldwide. In many ways, this time has allowed for the general public and citizens to engage with science and be exposed to the scientific method and associated debates within the scientific community. With such high profile given to science, scientists have also had to do their work under the gaze of the public eye.

One year on, the world has seen a number of variants of the virus causing Covid-19 and the development of vaccines. While the development of vaccines has been a major breakthrough and vaccination has progressed globally, this has not been without challenges. Some of the challenges experienced go to the heart of the meaning of science, its method and how society engages with science.

In this lecture, Professor Salim Abdool Karim, Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and Dr Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s State Epidemiologist, in conversation with Mia Malan, Editor-in-chief at Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism, explore the meaning of science; its promise, ethos and method; the sociology of science; the interplay between the social context and scientific knowledge.

For enquiries about the lecture contact:

NRF

Thabiso Nkone
TJ.nkone@nrf.ac.za

Embassy of Sweden inPretoria

Oskar Nielsen
oskar.nielsen@gov.se