Abstract
South Africa faces the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality, as well as
looming problems regarding water, energy and food. Science, technology and
engineering are able to address some of these challenges but are often inaccessible
and unfamiliar to the general public. Research and innovation in these fields needs to
be increased, and undertaken in partnership with multidisciplinary stakeholders. This
article uses the example of an engineering education initiative, the African Solar Drive,
to illustrate how this may be achieved. It discusses recent developments in the
philosophy of science that have emphasised responsibility in research and
development, the similarities of these with action research methodologies and the
relevance of these for the concerns South Africa faces at the moment. It presents a
general methodology for science-society engagement and locates the African Solar
Drive as a prelude to such engagement between higher education and the general
public.