How We Operate
Future Africa is a platform that acts as an incubator for transdisciplinary research projects; as a connector for scholars and teams working on similar problems; and as a physical and intellectual space for catalysing needed change in African and global science systems.
In light of the pressing global challenges we face today, it’s evident that the scientific community needs to adopt new and innovative ways of operating. This necessitates the convergence of multiple approaches, including the integration of knowledge from various scientific fields such as life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, and engineering. Additionally, knowledge from outside the conventional scientific spectrum must also be incorporated to develop effective methods.
Our platform is designed to cultivate transdisciplinary research leadership in Africa. We aim to empower the next generation of science leaders and create a bridge for them to connect with research networks across the continent and the globe. By bringing together scientists from diverse fields, we facilitate collaboration, idea-sharing, and the development of research projects focused on tackling the challenges hindering Africa’s transformation towards a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future for both the continent and the world.
We stimulate bold ideas and disruptive thinking on how research can make a difference to real world problems.
Our set of powerful resources for ensuring success include:
- The depth and diversity of the University of Pretoria’s internationally reputed research community.
- The University’s commitment to transdisciplinary as a pathway to actionable knowledge that can inform and support societal transformations.
- Future Africa’s access to regional and international networks of expertise and influence, including through the African Global University initiative.
- Our campus, which offers world-class meeting and accommodation facilities for transformative research engagement and practice.
We stimulate bold ideas and disruptive thinking on how research can make a difference to real world problems.
Future Africa is committed to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship, developing leadership skills, and transforming the African continent by bringing together a diverse group of scholars to address its grand challenges.
Future Africa functions as a platform within the University of Pretoria. The University’s Executive evaluates Future Africa’s overall performance based on the Future Africa Director’s reporting against annual Institutional Action and Financial Plans.
Our diverse team is driven by a shared vision and passion to unlock the transformative potential of African sciences and create a future where thriving African societies lead the way.
At Future Africa, we’re proud to work with a diverse range of collaborators who share our commitment to excellence and innovation. Our partners come from a variety of sectors, but they all share a passion for harnessing the potential of African science to improve the world around us.
As a collaborative platform, Future Africa’s mode of operating is guided by principles of common purpose and shared value. Future Africa has a wide network of collaborators from the University of Pretoria, other universities in South Africa and the continent, as well as the global academy.
Future Africa is a platform that acts as an incubator for transdisciplinary research projects; as a connector for scholars and teams working on similar problems; and as a physical and intellectual space for catalysing needed change in African and global science systems.