QUEST is excited to announce the upcoming edition of QUEST Magazine, the official quarterly popular science publication of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), scheduled for publication at the end of September 2025.

We invite article submissions from South African universities and research institutions. This is an opportunity to showcase your institution’s latest research and innovations to a broader audience. Articles should be between 500 to 1,000 words and accompanied by one or two relevant images. Submissions can be sent to Quest-Editor@assaf.org.za by Friday, 29 August 2025.

QUEST is designed to engage Grade 10–12 learners and students, both in print and online (https://questonline.org.za/). We encourage articles that are accessible and engaging, with a preference for visuals such as photos, infographics, and diagrams. Including the ORCID of contributing researchers is welcomed.

Theme: “Big Data World”

This theme aims to demystify the world of Big Data by breaking down what it really means to work in this field. AI is giving a whole new dimension to Big Data. The edition will address common career paths, the skills needed, and the real-world impact of data centres and Big Data analytics on industries ranging from healthcare to finance. Translating technical complexities into relatable insights can help readers envision a future where data is not just big in volume, but also big in opportunity.

Suggested topics:

  • Demystifying Big Data and its many applications: What is it and why is it important?
  • Where does your AI come from? Increased AI compute requirements are making data centres even bigger (and more energy-intensive)
  • Big Data projects in South Africa
  • Data science as a career
  •  

QUEST also welcome submissions on other recent scientific developments in South Africa for our features section.

For inquiries or to discuss potential article topics, please contact Mr Magick M. Maphanga at magick@assaf.org.za

QUEST look forward to your contributions and encourage you to share this call with colleagues in your field.