Articles on African science

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Africa’s scientists are doing remarkable work. Shutterstock

May 23, 2017

African scientists are punching above their weight and changing the world

John Butler-Adam, University of Pretoria

Africa's overall contribution to research might be small, but smart people are undertaking smart and important work on and about the continent.

The demand for “decolonised education” may jeopardise research and learning in South Africa. Nic Bothma/EPA

February 14, 2017

What “decolonised education” should and shouldn’t mean

Brenda Wingfield, University of Pretoria

It's important that South African teachers, lecturers and professors develop curricula that build on the best knowledge skills, values, beliefs and habits from around the world.

Children need to learn that science is worth getting excited about. Mike Hutchings/Reuters

January 17, 2017

Science must grow young advocates if it wants to connect with the real world

Tolullah Oni, University of Cape Town

For science to have an impact there must be a genuine will to implement its advances. This requires promoting a greater understanding of science in broader society.

When scientists engage local communities in dialogue about their research, both sides benefit. Simon Elwin/Namibian Dolphin Project Education Day 2015

November 2, 2016

Science needs to start speaking to people’s everyday lives in Africa

Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University

There is broad acknowledgement that the way science is taught and practised in Africa is not socially inclusive.

The sky is the limit for African science when universities work together. Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters

September 20, 2016

Africa’s universities can shrug off history and stage science revolutions

Nico Orce, University of the Western Cape

Collaboration is one of the keys to making African science soar: when the continent's universities work together, they can produce amazing results.

Embarking on the path to a PhD is a scary business. Shutterstock

July 13, 2016

Want to do your PhD in Africa? Here’s what you need to know

Peter Ngure, African Population and Health Research Center

Many people are left floundering when they try to get working on their PhDs. In Africa, this is often because the skills they need haven't been developed earlier in their academic careers.

Scientists can find it tough to turn a great idea or innovation into a successful business. Shutterstock

July 12, 2016

The right support can help scientists turn their best ideas into businesses

Imogen Wright, University of the Western Cape

Science and business don't often go together, but that's changing as more scientists realise that their best ideas can be commercialised.

So much more can be achieved if African researchers work together. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU

May 18, 2016

Why it’s time African researchers stopped working in silos

Thomas Kariuki, African Academy of Sciences

There are a number of stumbling blocks to intra African collaboration. These must be addressed to ensure that research is not duplicated and that findings are shared.

Africa’s future looks bright – if it embraces its many innovators. Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters

May 10, 2016

It’s time to bust the myth that Africa doesn’t produce scientific innovators

Stewart Maganga, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

There are plenty of innovators, scientists and inventors in Africa doing remarkable work today. So why does the myth of Africa being devoid of scientific innovators persist?

Investment in science and innovation is needed to help build Africa. Kate Holt/Africa Practice/Flickr

April 12, 2016

How Africa can close its continent-wide science funding gap

Kevin Marsh, University of Oxford

Successful economies are led by innovation and driven by knowledge. For Africa to advance, it needs to make more substantial investments in its research and development sector.

Science and innovation can improve the world –but scientists have to help ensure strong democracies too. Reuters/Kumerra Gemechu

March 14, 2016

Why African scientists must be champions for democracy

Shehu AbdusSalam, Shahid Beheshti University

African mathematicians and scientists have an important role to play in establishing and protecting a democratic continent.

It’s time for Africa to produce the technology it needs, rather than being largely a consumer. EPA/Nic Bothma

February 26, 2016

Maths and science are the keys to unlocking Africa’s potential

Neil Turok, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics

Africa has deep-rooted problems: poverty, disease, corruption and war. Could these be solved through mathematical science?

Tiny fruit flies under a microscope are a powerful weapon for science. Dr Martha Vicente-Crespo

February 15, 2016

How fruit flies can help keep African scientists at home

Silvia Muñoz-Descalzo, University of Bath and Timothy Weil, University of Cambridge

Fruit flies aren't just a remarkable organism for research. They are also central to a project that aims to provide more at-home research opportunities for African scientists.

This is a new era of physics and astronomy - and scientists all over the globe, including in Africa, have a role to play. NASA

February 12, 2016

Gravitational waves: will the global south provide the next pulse of gravity research?

Amanda Weltman, University of Cape Town and Jeff Murugan, University of Cape Town

The discovery of gravitational waves has ushered in a new era in astronomy and physics. Where will the next big discovery be made? There's no reason for it not to be Africa.

Top contributors

John Butler-Adam
Editor-in-Chief of the South African Journal of Science and Consultant, Vice Principal for Research and Graduate Education, University of Pretoria
Imogen Wright
Postdoctoral Fellow in Bioinformatics, University of the Western Cape
Brenda Wingfield
Vice President of the Academy of Science of South Africa and DST-NRF SARChI chair in Fungal Genomics, Professor of Genetics, University of Pretoria
Amanda Weltman
South African Research Chair in Physical Cosmology, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town
Silvia Muñoz-Descalzo
Lecturer in Biology & Biochemistry; Developmental Biology Theme, University of Bath
Tolullah Oni
Associate Professor at the School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town
Marina Joubert
Science Communication Researcher, Stellenbosch University
Timothy Weil
Lecturer, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
Jeff Murugan
Associate Professor of Mathematical Physics, University of Cape Town
Neil Turok
Director and Niels Bohr Chair, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Shehu AbdusSalam
Assistant professor, high energy physics, Shahid Beheshti University
Kevin Marsh
Professor of Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford
Stewart Maganga
Doctoral Candidate, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Thomas Kariuki
Director of the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, African Academy of Sciences
Peter Ngure
Associate Professor of Parasitology and Entomology, African Population and Health Research Center