The Fifth Annual Emerging and Established African Researchers Training Academy, themed “Unleash your research potential”, drew over 500 participants from diverse institutions including more than 260 from South African universities and about 100 from Africa. Led by the HSRC, the academy ran from 22–26 July  2024.

The inspiring addresses from the Academy partners set the tone for a week of intensive learning, collaboration, growth in research skills, and cross-cultural exchange.

The HSRC’s Acting Deputy CEO, Professor Glenda Kruss encouraged participants to “learn through engaging and interacting… to think how we take the tools that we get from here and how we apply, adapt and recreate and reshape them for our purposes of research in Africa”.

Professor Luvuyo Ntombana, Research Director at Sol Plaatje University expressed the hope that the academy would “produce more not only knowledgeable but progressive academics who will be able to reflect on their knowledge, their own research and also be relevant and impactful”.

In her address Professor Gerda van Dijk, Director of the School for Public Management and Administration of the University of Pretoria, reminded participants that they were there “as a collective with responsibility to harness [their] collective wisdom and knowledge towards addressing the multifaceted and intersectional challenges that Africa faces”.

The Eventee Social Wall, the Academy’s virtual networking forum, pulsed with the energy of emerging and established African researchers, showcasing the vibrant spirit of African scholarship. It demonstrated the value of Eventee as a vibrant space for engagement, capturing the participants’ transformative journeys.

• “I feel so motivated and ready to craft a sustainable career path going forward.”
• “Let us grow within our career paths through education and upskilling ourselves.”
• “What an informative presentation based on research grants.”
• “Breaking down the conceptual and theoretical framework differences has been my highlight thus far.“
• “The peeling of Saunders’s [research] onion was also a vital thing to learn. “
• “Approaching research questions with the SMART notion presented was also very informative.”

This collaborative initiative has once again proven to be a catalyst for knowledge sharing, skills development and fostering a strong community of African researchers. It underscores the partners’ commitment to nurturing emerging talent and strengthening established researchers across the continent.

As we reflect on the success of this year’s annual Researchers Training Academy, we look forward to seeing how participants apply their newfound knowledge and connections to drive innovative research that addresses Africa’s unique challenges and contributes to the global scientific community.