Harnessing “digital” for science in lower-resource settings

The paper highlights why digital capacity is critical for science organizations and how it can help close gaps in participation and impact. It positions digital transformation as a strategic priority that enables organizations to respond to global change and deliver value to their stakeholders.

It introduces the ISC Digital Maturity Framework, a tool designed specifically for science organizations to assess their current state and identify opportunities for improvement.

The paper calls for leadership commitment and investment in digital skills, data, and systems. It offers practical next steps and a companion toolkit to help organizations move from assessment to action and to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age.

Harnessing ‘digital’ for science in lower-resource settings

DOI: 10.24948/2025.12

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Accompanying resources

• Toolkit: Strengthening digital maturity for science organizations
• Tool #1: Digital Maturity Test
• Tool #2: User journey mapping
• Tool #3: Planning your conference

Funding acknowledgement: The toolkit was created following the experiences of eleven ISC Members who took part in the project, supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors.