Our Research Chairs
Future Africa’s Research Chairs provide academic leadership for the platform’s transdisciplinary research agenda. They lead collaborative programmes of work across Future Africa’s research themes, advancing research excellence and strengthening partnerships within the University of Pretoria, across Africa and internationally.
Working across disciplines, institutions and sectors, the Research Chairs bring together researchers, policymakers, government, civil society, industry and other stakeholders to co-create and advance transformative research that addresses Africa’s most pressing and complex challenges. Through these collaborations, they create opportunities for transdisciplinary research, training and knowledge exchange.
The Research Chairs also play a key role in developing emerging researchers and strengthening Africa’s research leadership capacity. Working with pan-African and global partners, they help shape research agendas, build networks of expertise and deliver high-impact research that contributes to sustainable development across the continent.
Health – People – Place (One Health)
One Health is part of the Future Africa research themes and the University of Pretoria strategic plan. The definitions differ widely, but most agree it involves a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach to achieve optimal health outcomes and recognise the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
Research Chair
Prof Wanda Markotter
Sustainability Transformations in Africa
Future Africa is actively involved in a number of activities to advance African research leadership in the domain of Sustainability Transformations, with a new Future Africa Research Chair to be appointed in 2024. In addition to developing new transformative research initiatives, the Chair will oversee Future Africa’s role in major international initiatives such as Future Earth.
Research Chair
Prof Maano Ramutsindela
Climate, Water and Food Nexus
The Future Africa Research Chair in the Climate, Water and Food Nexus advances interdisciplinary research to understand and address the interconnected challenges of climate change, water security, food systems and health in Africa.
Research Chair
Prof Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi
Global Equity in Africa
The Future Africa Chair in Global Equity aims to promote global prosperity and peace by positioning Africa as a contributor, not just a beneficiary. Despite progress in reducing global poverty,sub-Saharan Africa still lags behind. The Chair will identify challenges and innovative solutions to achieve global equity, with a focus on Africa.
Research Chair
Vacant
Formerly led by Professor Dire Tladi
Completed Chairs
Sustainable Food Systems
The Future Africa Sustainable Food Systems Research Chair (FA-SFS) was established in January 2022 to advance the transformative potential of African sciences in creating thriving African societies in a global context. The FA-SFS focuses on conducting collaborative research to address complex, real-world problems related to sustainable food systems.
Research Chair
Professor Frans Swanepoel
(2023 – 2025)
Prof Lindiwe Sibanda
(2022 – 2023)
