By Akhona Gumede, Yoliswa Sikhosana and Nonkululeko Dlamini
Over 400 scholars, practitioners, community members, and policymakers gathered at the Birchwood Hotel Conference Centre from 22–24 October 2025, to mark a milestone for engaged research in the South African National System of Innovation and across the continent. The conference was convened by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) and other partners, as part of the five-year Engaged Research Project. The inaugural International Engaged Research Conference sought to create a platform for diverse stakeholders to engage on innovative approaches that can advance engaged research as a core component of South Africa’s National System of Innovation, emphasising research that is collaborative, inclusive, and socially responsive.
Leadership Vision: In the opening plenary, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande called for scholarship that transcends academic boundaries to drive public policy, community empowerment, and inclusive economic development. The HSRC CEO Prof. Sarah Mosoetsa and NRF CEO Prof. Fulufhelo Nelwamondo echoed this vision, underscoring the imperative for ethical, community-based collaboration as vital to achieving sustainable development outcomes.
Key outcomes and insights
Delegates committed to several practical steps to strengthen the field of engaged research, including:
- Establishing a National Community of Practice for Engaged Research to foster collaboration and methodological exchange;
- Developing a National Evidence Map to track engagement initiatives across the country; and
- Embedding co-design, collaboration, and social impact within institutional research and evaluation frameworks.
Participants further agreed that research excellence should be measured not only through publications or rankings but by tangible societal contributions. Discussions led by the Scientific Committee highlighted that impactful research requires both academic rigor and measurable community benefit.
Practice Based Reflections: Through shared case studies, delegates identified key principles for successful collaboration: co-designing research questions with communities; adequately resourcing partners’ expertise; maintaining transparency and clear communication; ensuring accessible dissemination, and fostering long-term relationships built on mutual respect. These reflections also exposed systemic barriers such as funding models and performance incentives that often hinder meaningful engagement.
Looking Ahead: Dr. Konosoang Sobane, HSRC Principal Investigator of the Engaged Research Project, reflected: “Our goal is not only to share findings but to ensure that engagement becomes a sustained practice embedded within the research system.”
The HSRC will continue to strengthen engaged research through national mapping, training, and policy integration, alongside pilot partnerships with universities and community-based organizations. As engagement and co-creation increasingly shape research priorities across African universities, the 2025 conference marked a significant step toward redefining how knowledge is produced anchored in relevance, inclusivity, and shared responsibility.
For more information: https://hsrc.ac.za/home-page/science-in-society/mainstreaming-engaged-research/
