Internet technology and the epistemic strategies of scientists in post-apartheid South Africa: Race as a decisive factor

•It is an empirical study of South African scientists.•Collaboration and networks of scientists are analysed.•Race is employed as factor in the analysis of collaboration.•It examines the relevance of technology in South African science.

Internet technology is an indispensable tool in scientific research. Prior research confirms the importance of professional activities, professional networks, scientific collaboration and the internet among scientists, academics and researchers. In other words, professional activities, networks and collaboration are relevant epistemic strategies in both the short- and long-term objectives of knowledge production. Variations in these strategies are possible across different categories such as race and gender. Involving academics and scientists (n = 204) from sampled institutions in post-apartheid South Africa, this study examines how the use of technology by people in different racial categories influences their epistemic strategies of professional activities, networks and scientific collaboration.