The Research Impact Division (RID) plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) work extends beyond academic outputs to create real and lasting change in society. Our mission is to support, strengthen, and institutionalise the impact of HSRC research by aligning it with South Africa’s development priorities and the broader African and global context. The Research Impact Division comprises five interconnected units, each contributing to our overarching goal of translating research into measurable impact. Together, these units ensure that the HSRC’s research is not only rigorous and relevant, but also transformative — helping to shape a more inclusive, informed, and just society.
At the heart of our work is the belief that research should not only generate knowledge but also inform effective policies, drive meaningful programmes, and improve lives. By drawing on the HSRC’s rich multi- and inter-disciplinary expertise, the RID works to highlight and promote research that responds directly to key societal challenges — whether local, regional, national, or continental. Through this, we help ensure that evidence-based solutions shape decision-making and development outcomes.
HSRC Press is Africa’s leading scholarly publisher, dedicated to amplifying innovative, research-based scholarship from South Africa, across the continent, and throughout the global South. We specialize in original works spanning the social sciences and humanities, with each publication undergoing rigorous double-blind peer review to ensure world-class academic standards.
The HSRC’s work involves multiple stakeholders, including government and state bodies, academic institutions, science councils, corporate entities, civil society funders and the broader South African public. This unit aims to bring fitting partners on board early in the research process to leverage optimal research impact.
Measures and analyses the reach, relevance, and influence of the HSRC’s research.
Builds research capacity through a very extensive internship program which provides meaningful opportunities for the next research cohort.
The Research Ethics sub-unit upholds ethical standards in all research processes, creating public trust and integrity in HSRC’s work. It aims to create a conducive environment for the responsible conduct of research through compliance with national and international guidelines and best practices. It ensure the work commits to ethical principles and professional standards essential for conducting high-quality, trustworthy, and responsible research.
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