Purpose: To deepen shared understanding of multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research practices and to support catalytic niche areas in moving towards more integrated, collaborative and socially responsive knowledge production.
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CNA working group |
Facilitator/s |
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1. Marine Studies [pdf] |
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3. Automotive[pdf] |
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4. Energy[pdf] |
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8. Health Studies / Medicine[pdf] |
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11. Foresight in Research Workshop: Integration of Foresight in Research [pdf] |
Prof Stefan Schepers |
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12. Foresight in Research Workshop: Future Risk and Opportunity in Africa [pdf] |
Prof Stefan Schepers |
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CNA Working Group |
FACILITATOR/S |
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1. Marine Studies [pdf] |
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2. Aviation and Aeronautical studies [pdf] |
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3. Automotive [pdf] |
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4. Energy [pdf] |
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5. Space Study and Square Kilometer Array [pdf]
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8. Health Studies / Medicine [pdf] |
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CNA Working Group |
FACILITATOR / SPEAKERS |
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1. Marine Studies [pdf] |
Prof Godwell Nhamo |
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2. Aviation and Aeronautical studies [pdf] |
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3. Automotive [pdf]
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4. Energy [pdf] |
Prof Jo-Ansie van Wyk Dr Kholofelo Moeng |
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5. Space Study and Square Kilometer Array [pdf]
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Prof James Chibueze |
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Dr Sipho Mbatha |
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Prof Monde Ntwasa |
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8. Health Studies / Medicine [pdf]
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Prof Ashley van Niekerk Ms Neliswa Jilimba |
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Dr Ntombikayise Nkosi Dr Vuyokazi Sigaqa |
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Prof Allyson Kreuiter |
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CNA Working Group |
FACILITATOR / SPEAKERS |
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1. Marine Studies [pdf] |
Dr Lazarus Chapungu |
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2. Aviation and Aeronautical studies [pdf] |
Mr Arthur Shirichena |
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3. Automotive [pdf]
|
Mr A Ngcobo |
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4. Energy [pdf] |
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5. Space Study and Square Kilometer Array [pdf]
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| Dr Akeel Valli | |
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8. Health Studies / Medicine [pdf]
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| Mr Nathanael Govender |
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CNA Working Group |
FACILITATOR / SPEAKERS |
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1. Marine Studies [pdf] |
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2. Aviation and Aeronautical studies [pdf] |
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3. Automotive [pdf]
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4. Energy [pdf] |
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5. Space Study and Square Kilometer Array [pdf]
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8. Health Studies / Medicine [pdf]
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This series initiated the CGS-designed scaffolded approach to CNA optimisation by exploring expansive catalytic niche area conceptualisations and multidisciplinary avenues into catalytic niche area participation.
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CNA Working Group |
FACILITATOR/S |
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1. Marine Studies [pdf] |
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2. Aviation and Aeronautical studies [pdf] |
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3. Automotive [pdf] |
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4. Energy [pdf] |
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5. Space Study and Square Kilometer Array [pdf]
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Dr Karen Cloete |
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8. Health Studies / Medicine [pdf]
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In line with our scaffolded approach to catalytic niche area optimisation, this series included more discipline-specific content. While the 1st 2024 series of CGS-facilitated catalytic niche area sessions offered a very general introduction to the niche area for interested stakeholders to assess potential alignments, this series targeted scholars who are clear about their commitment to the niche area. We anchored the discussions in selected catalytic niche area readings and expert presentations.
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CNA Working Group & Title |
FACILITATOR/S |
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1. Marine Studies |
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2. Aviation and Aeronautical studies |
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3. Automotive “Growing the South African Market for Electric Vehicles” |
Prof Peter Wells |
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4. Energy “Argo-Waste to Energy” |
Prof Tondi Matambo |
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5. Space Study and Square Kilometer Array “The Evolution of Stars and Stellar Tangos” |
Dr Itumeleng M. Monageng |
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6. Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digitalisation “Publishing Alignment to the 4IR and Digitalisation Niche Area” |
Dr Siphamandla Mncube |
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7. Natural Sciences (Biotechnological studies) “Working Enhancing Banana Production & Empowering Small-Scale Farmers in SA: A Resilient Approach to Addressing Climate Change, Food Insecurity, and Market Opportunities through Novel Varieties and Niche Market Development” |
Prof Michael Pillay |
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8. Health Studies / Medicine “The Need for Donated Human Organs” AND “Conspiracy Theories and the Afrikaner: A COVID-19 Study” |
Dr Nicola Davies-Laubscher |
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9. Feminist, Womanist, Bosadi Theorisations “Their Hermeneutics was Strange, ours was Necessary: The Insurgency of Bosadi” |
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10. Student Support and Co-Curricular Activities “Navigating one’s niche area/one’s research agenda” |
For this 3rd series, we focused on synthesising our existing catalytic niche area optimisation efforts as we moved towards developing institutional-level catalytic niche area responses. We focused on solidifying epistemic communities of catalytic niche area practice at UNISA, and we explored how this could be facilitated by our CGS ScienceOpen Catalytic Niche Area Collections.
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CNA Working Group |
FACILITATOR |
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1. Marine Studies |
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2. Aviation and Aeronautical studies |
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3. Automotive |
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4. Energy |
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5. Space Study and Square Kilometer Array |
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6. Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digitalisation |
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7. Natural Sciences (Biotechnological studies) |
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8. Health Studies / Medicine |
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9. Feminist, Womanist, Bosadi Theorisations |
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10. Student Support and Co-Curricular Activities |
This focus of this series of sessions was aligned with the larger mandate to establish UNISA as a leading academic voice in the catalytic niche areas. In order to interrogate how we could shape CNA scholarship, we needed to familiarise ourselves with the most current interventions in the relevant research fields. We thus anchored the sessions in recent outputs related to the CNAs. Attendees were encouraged to consider questions such as
• How do the readings shape current thinking about the CNA?
• What emerges when reading the texts from an explicitly African positionality?
• What are the readings’ implications for practice beyond academia?
• Can you draw any linkages between your own research expertise and the readings?
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CNA Working Group |
FACILITATOR |
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1. Marine Studies [pdf] |
Prof Jessica Murray |
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2. Aviation and Aeronautical studies [pdf] |
Prof Jessica Murray |
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3. Automotive [pdf] |
Prof Jessica Murray |
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4. Energy [pdf] Prof Jessica Murray |
Prof Jessica Murray |
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Prof Jessica Murray |
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Prof Jessica Murray |
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Prof Jessica Murray |
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8. Health Studies / Medicine [pdf] |
Prof Jessica Murray |
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Prof Jessica Murray |
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|
Prof Jessica Murray |
CGS-facilitated CNA working groups launch: November 2023
In this series, we launched the core component of our College of Graduate Studies catalytic niche area optimisation support interventions, namely the CGS-facilitated CNA working groups. These working groups are multi-disciplinary, and they are open to academics and postgraduate students at all levels. They offer an institutional-level scholarly space where researchers from all Colleges can interact beyond disciplinary silos, based on their shared interest in a catalytic niche area.
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Title |
PRESENTER |
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Research Activities and Interests in Energy Systems |
Prof Charles Mbohwa Distinguished Visiting Professor College of Graduate Studies |
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UNESCO Chair on ODL’s Contribution to Student Support and Co-Curricular Activities, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digitalisation |
Distinguished Visiting Professor College of Graduate Studies
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Techno-economic Feasibility and Environmental Sustainability of Bioenergy Resource Potential in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe |
Dr Trust Nhubu Postdoctoral Fellow College of Graduate Studies
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Digital Tech: Critical Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Myths, Risks and Opportunities |
Dr Mahlet Zimeta Visiting Senior Fellow |