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Research & innovation

Research & innovation



UCT aspires to become a premier academic meeting point between South Africa, the rest of Africa and the world. Taking advantage of expanding global networks and our distinct vantage point in Africa, we are committed , through innovative research and scholarship, to grapple with the key issues of our natural and social worlds. We are committed both to protecting and encouraging 'curiosity-driven research' and research that has a real impact on our communities and environment.


Body scavengers and forensic science 15 Nov 2018 Republished
Genetic brain research in Africa: A ‘formidable’ challenge The dearth of African researchers and participants in global mental health genetics studies is impeding research progress in this critical field – and leaving the continent behind. 06 Nov 2018 Republished
Inspiring wonder in how the universe works Dr Sahal Yacoob’s work with CERN and the ATLAS experiment allows him to be part of an invaluable international community of researchers. 06 Nov 2018
Creating a knowledge hub in the global south A conversation with UCT VC Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng about the challenges and opportunities. 05 Nov 2018
How the world’s smallest flightless bird got to Inaccessible Island UCT researchers are among an international team that has uncovered the origins of the Inaccessible Island rail. 02 Nov 2018
The complexities of digital inequality It will take far more than only infrastructure improvements to enable the poor and marginalised to harness the Internet to boost their social and economic well-being. 01 Nov 2018 Republished
A new cohort of African urban scholars The African Centre for Cities’ new master’s degree in Southern Urbanism aims to create a new generation of African urban scholars. 01 Nov 2018
To end wildlife trafficking, engage with local communities UCT research highlights the importance of changing incentive structures so that local communities participate in legal economies rather than illegal wildlife trafficking. 30 Oct 2018
New hermit crab species in 3D 3D X-ray micro-computed tomography has helped UCT researchers describe a new hermit crab species found off KwaZulu-Natal. The results were published recently in PLOS One. 29 Oct 2018
5 questions with Mohlopheni Jackson Marakalala Mohlopheni Jackson Marakalala, senior lecturer and group leader in UCT’s Division of Immunology, answers five quick questions about his research. 29 Oct 2018
Identifying those who die at sea UCT is piloting a study that could be key to resolving the challenge of identifying bodies found at sea or washed up on shore. 25 Oct 2018
Black students ‘walking on eggshells’ at UCT A “walking on eggshells” installation on middle campus is designed to highlight the continuing challenges faced by black students, its curator Kneo Mokgopa says. 24 Oct 2018
World-first: Bio-bricks from urine A UCT master’s student in civil engineering has unveiled the world’s first bio-brick grown from human urine, signalling an innovative paradigm shift in waste recovery. 24 Oct 2018
‘Fearless’ HIV activist wins Tutu award UCT’s Professor of Medicine Linda-Gail Bekker has been named the winner of the 2018 Desmond Tutu Award for HIV Prevention Research and Human Rights. 23 Oct 2018
With big trees comes great responsibility A UCT doctoral student investigated how the commercialisation of baobab products has affected the trees – as well as the communities around them. 23 Oct 2018
The political economy of child marriage in Africa A UCT doctoral researcher is exploring how the intersection of traditional authority, the political economy and girls’ sexuality shapes and influences their readiness for marriage. 23 Oct 2018

 
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Opinions




Fostering technology innovation in Africa Universities need to be creating new intellectual property, as well as protecting and maturing it to facilitate industry adoption. 23 Jul 2018 Republished
The interdisciplinary approach of Future Water Solutions to intractable problems may need expertise from multiple disciplines. 21 Jul 2018
5 lessons learnt from Cape Town’s water crisis Over the past three years, Cape Town and the surrounding region have experienced an abrupt change in weather conditions. There are five lessons to be learnt from the water crisis, writes Kevin Winter.    03 Jul 2018
UCT and the Worldwide Universities Network 10 years on UCT joined WUN in 2009, as one of the first internationalisation decisions under Dr Max Price’s tenure as vice-chancellor. 29 Jun 2018
A researcher’s perspective on the Worldwide Universities Network: building the Africa we want The WUN Global Africa Group builds on existing expertise and international partnerships to identify sustainable and equitable solutions to critical global challenges of relevance to Africa. 22 May 2018
Why the film ‘Winnie’ met all the criteria of a good documentary "Winnie" should not be confused with news. It is a film that had a life on the big screen before being broadcast on television after Madikizela-Mandela’s death. 26 Apr 2018 Republished
Better health services rest on building trust among healthcare workers Research shows that healthcare workers’ trust in the health system is built on expectations being met in relation to a number of factors. 29 Mar 2018 Republished
Now’s the time for transformation to build excellence in higher education Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng reflects on a season of change in the higher education sector. 23 Jan 2018 Opinion
Developing countries need to wake up to the risks of new technologies Biases, increased concentrations of wealth and worsenening unemployment levels are all high level risks to society that need to be considered as we move into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 05 Jan 2018 Republished

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