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Engaging knowledge, transforming society: The Engaged Research Conference
This conference is part of the Engaged Research Project, organised and convened by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
The Engaged Research Project, an initiative of the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF), seeks to advance engaged research within South Africa’s National System of Innovation (NSI).
The conference aims to unite researchers, practitioners, community members, and policymakers to explore innovative approaches to engaged research that address societal challenges. With the theme “Engaged Research as a Pathway to Bridging Knowledge and Society,” the event will provide a platform for discussing established and emerging methodologies, practices, challenges, and opportunities in engaged research.
Through fostering meaningful partnerships and promoting knowledge co-creation, the conference seeks to integrate academic inquiry with society-driven priorities. Participants will showcase successful projects, share best practices, and reflect on barriers to engaged research. These discussions aim to inspire actionable strategies that advance inclusive, impactful, and transformative research efforts for societal betterment. Ultimately, the event aspires to deepen participants’ commitment to collaborative and impactful research.
Primary objectives
The primary objectives of the conference are to:
- Identify barriers to ER and ways to overcome these barriers e.g. the University Ethics Approval structures do not cater
for engaged research. - Promote knowledge exchange on engaged research methodologies, approaches, and best practices.
- Facilitate networking between academia, community organisations, industry, and government, and build partnerships
for future engaged research projects. - Showcase impactful case studies that illustrate engaged research’s real-world benefits and value.
- Consolidate learnings on how engaged research can be operationalised in different contexts.
Key themes
To facilitate in-depth discussion, the conference will explore several themes related to engaged research. (Read more about the Conference structure and guidelines for presentation formats.)
| Theme | Description |
| Co-Creation and Participatory Research Approaches | This theme will explore a range of methods, practices, and tools for involving stakeholders in all stages of the research and dissemination processes. |
| Impactful Community Partnerships | This theme will delve into case studies and best practices on building long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with communities. |
| Policy and Engaged Research | This theme will explore how engaged research influences policy and contributes to societal change. |
| Engaged Research in the Digital Age | This theme will examine the role of technology in enhancing the reach and accessibility of engaged research. |
| Engaged Research for Epistemic Justice, Social Justice and Equity | This theme will address power dynamics in engaged research, ethical considerations and inclusivity challenges. |
| Ethical and Inclusive Research | This theme will address power dynamics in engaged research, ethical considerations and inclusivity challenges. |
| Research Translation and Knowledge Brokering | This theme will explore approaches and strategies for ensuring research findings are accessible and useful for relevant audiences. |
| Impact Measurement and Evaluation | This theme will discuss frameworks and tools for assessing the impact measurement and evaluation of engaged research. |
Scientific Committee
Dr Mokhantšo Makoae
Research Director, HSRC
Dr Makoae has extensive experience leading qualitative research across the SADC region on topics including HIV vulnerability, climate change, gender, and disability. Her work, commissioned by governments, UN agencies, the EU, and philanthropic organisations, has informed policy development and evaluation. She has served on the HSRC’s Research Ethics Committee (2012–2020) and on review panels for the NRF and European funders. A committed mentor, she also co-supervises postgraduate students and supports young researchers through the NRF Graduate Internship Programme.
Dr Plaxcedes Chiwire
Deputy Director: Health Intelligence, Western Cape Department of Health
With over 12 years of experience in health economics, Dr Chiwire has worked with international organisations such as the Global Fund, UNAIDS, USAID, GIZ, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, supporting African countries in strengthening health financing systems. She is Chairperson of the Costing Committee at the South African Council of Medical Schemes and has lectured at the University of Cape Town. Dr Chiwire has also worked in the South African public sector, advising on strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation across departments, bringing valuable insight into integrated health systems.
Dr Charles Hongoro
Senior Research Director, HSRC
Dr Hongoro is an Extraordinary Professor of health economics, systems, and policy at the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the University of Pretoria. His research interests include sustainable human security, climate change, public health, especially health economics, systems, and policy research, science translation, and impact evaluations. He has published widely over the years.
Ms Bongiwe Moni
Director for External Capacity Development & Internships, HSRC
Ms Moni leads the HSRC’s initiatives addressing youth and graduate unemployment through evidence-based interventions such as internships and capacity development programmes, contributing to its societal impact agenda. She holds an MBA from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, an Honours in Public Administration from the University of the Western Cape, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Community Development at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her research focuses on youth labour market access, unemployment, poverty, inequality, and skills development, as well as moral regeneration, ethics, and governance.
Dr Marina Joubert
Associate professor, Stellenbosch University
Dr Joubert leads the Public Engagement Lab at the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST). After two decades in science communication practice, she joined academia in 2015 to develop a teaching and research programme on public communication of science. Her research explores scientists’ roles in public engagement, science in the media, ethics of science communication, and online science-society interactions. She collaborates on international projects, serves as deputy editor of JCOM, and is an honorary lifetime member of the global PCST Network.
Dr Lucky Ditaunyane
Acting Chief Operating Officer, HSRC
Dr Ditaunyane is a seasoned corporate communications specialist with more than three decades of experience in the private and public sectors. He has served in various organisations at middle and senior management levels. His journey began in basic education, where he honed his skills and rose through the ranks. Some of the key positions he held in the past include Deputy Director, Chief Education Specialist, Senior Academic Developer and Director of Communications at a prominent national institution. With a career dedicated to corporate communications and public relations, his expertise spans a diverse range of domains: diverse sector experience, strategic communication, science communication, crisis communication, media liaison, stakeholder relations, digital marketing, and corporate branding. Beyond his professional role, he serves on various advisory boards at institutions of higher learning.
Timothy K. Stanton, PhD
Senior Engaged Scholar with Ravensong Associates
Dr Stanton is a consultant in community-engaged scholarship across the US, Africa, and Asia. At Stanford University, he led the Bing Overseas Studies Programme in Cape Town, co-founded the Community Health concentration at the medical school, and directed the Haas Center for Public Service. He has served as a Fulbright Specialist with the HSRC and advised South Africa’s Community-Higher Education-Service Partnerships (CHESP) programme. He co-authored the Research University Engaged Scholarship Toolkit and has published widely on service-learning. He holds a PhD in human and organisation systems from Fielding Graduate University.
Dr Tholang Mokhele
Manager, Geospatial Computing and Analytics, HSRC
Dr Mokhele manages the Geospatial Computing and Analytics Sub-unit of the eResearch Knowledge Unit at the HSRC. He holds PhD in Environmental Science (GIS) and MSc in Environmental Science (Remote Sensing) (Cum Laude) both from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is NRF Rated Researcher. Dr Mokhele has more than 15 years of experience in geospatial analytics and data analytics in social and health sciences research. Dr Mokhele’s publication record spans the authoring and co-authoring of more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, conference proceedings and policy briefs.
