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Trilateral Research Chair Hosts Impactful Research Week to Advance Innovation, Development, and Scholarly Collaboration

By Gugulethu Nyoni

UJ Business School Campus

The University of Johannesburg Business School, where Research Week was held.

The Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation, housed in the School of Business and Economics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), recently hosted its biannual Research Week from 24 to 28 February 2025. Held at the Auckland Park Johannesburg Business School Campus, the event brought together new and existing students, postdoctoral research fellows (PDRFs), and leading academics to explore cutting-edge themes in African innovation and development studies.

A Week of Learning, Collaboration, and Innovation

Research Week serves as a cornerstone of the Trilateral Research Chair’s academic calendar, providing an induction for new students and a refresher for existing students and PDRFs. This year’s programme featured two guest lectures, interactive sessions, and presentations designed to deepen participants’ understanding of African innovation and development studies while fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Prof. Erika Kraemer-Mbula

Prof. Erika Kraemer-Mbula delivering the opening lecture.

The week commenced with an insightful lecture by Prof. Erika Kraemer-Mbula, Professor of Economics and current TRCTI Chairholder. She detailed the history of the research chair, its core theoretical foundations, and key themes, articulating the Chair’s mission and emphasizing the importance of African innovation and development studies.

Key Sessions and Workshops

  • A lecture on the history and status of African innovation and development studies by Prof. Rebecca Hanlin, who highlighted the dominance of Global West scholars in the field and the need for more research from the Global South.
  • Interactive workshops on writing research proposals, led by Prof. Jacob Park and Prof. Rebecca Hanlin, which covered identifying research gaps, structuring a defensible problem statement, and reading widely for research purposes.
  • Guest lectures by renowned scholars, including Prof. Michael Kahn on African Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy, and Dr. Tom Achoki from the Africa Institute for Health Policy, who joined virtually to discuss critical minerals and global inequality.

Guest Lectures

Scholars engaging in discussions during one of the guest lectures.

Student and PDRF Presentations: Showcasing Excellence

A highlight of the week was the student and PDRF presentations, providing participants with a platform to share research progress and receive constructive feedback. New students delivered 10-minute presentations on their research ideas, while existing students and PDRFs showcased their work through a vibrant poster session. These sessions encouraged peer-to-peer learning and collaboration while highlighting the diversity of research within the Chair.

Student Presentations

A student presenting research findings during the session.

Shaping Research Ideas

One dedicated session allowed doctoral and master’s students to present aspects of their research, including their topics, key theories, problem statements, and methodologies. This session aimed to help students refine their research interests, assess feasibility, and receive valuable feedback from professors, postdocs, and peers, strengthening their proposal writing and research direction.

Building a Community of Scholars

Research Week also emphasized the importance of fostering a strong academic community. A panel session titled “What I Wish Someone Had Told Me on Day 1 of My Studies!” featured reflections from senior students and PDRFs, offering invaluable advice to newcomers.

Panel Discussion

A panel session where senior students and PDRFs shared their experiences.

The week concluded with a strategic session on working in interdisciplinary and multicultural settings, led by Ms. Ashmore Nkuna from UJ’s Transformation Unit. Moderated by Mrs. Mpho Mogotsi, Administrative Officer at TRCTI, the session provided critical insights into navigating multicultural environments, promoting inclusivity, and fostering diversity.

Attendance at Research Week was mandatory for all students and PDRFs, highlighting its significance as a foundational event for the academic year. Participants were required to complete prescribed readings and structured quizzes to assess their preparedness, with results informing future Chair programming, particularly for the upcoming August Research Week.

Drumming Session

Participants enjoying the closing drumming session.

The impactful and eventful Research Week concluded with a fun-filled drumming session social event, allowing participants to network and unwind.

Looking Ahead

The success of this year’s Research Week reflects the Trilateral Research Chair’s commitment to advancing transformative innovation in Africa. By equipping students and researchers with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to excel, the Chair continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of African innovation and development studies.

More Information

For more information about the Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation and its programmes, visit our website:

Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation

UJ’s School of Business and Economics:

School of Business and Economics website