University of Pretoria Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP) 2023

The ASLP is an initiative of the University of Pretoria in partnership with the Global Young Academy, funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung Foundation. It serves early- to mid-career researchers in basic and applied science, engineering, social sciences, arts and the humanities.

The programme aims to grow mid-career academics in Africa in the areas of thought leadership, team development, engagement and collaboration, with the intention of enabling them to solve the complex issues that face both Africa and the global community.

The leadership programme:

Identifies early- to mid-career academics who have demonstrated leadership potential and an interest in developing key leadership skills
Supports them to apply the acquired skills to projects that are relevant to the academic development on the continent and its impact on society
Creates a network of academic leaders on the continent, spanning not only across countries, but also across disciplinary boundaries
Advances a curriculum for academic leadership development which can be utilised in institutions in Africa and beyond.

Benefits

The training will cover:

Core elements of collective leadership
Creative and systems thinking
Development of effective networks
Stakeholder engagement for change
Maximising the efficiency and impact of collaborative efforts
Advanced dialogue and communication skills
Effective problem solving and decision making

Requirements

The following criteria are used as a guide for the nomination and selection of fellows:

A PhD or equivalent qualification
A faculty or a continuing research position at a research institution;
Active in research and teaching at an African institution of higher education or research;
A sustained record of outstanding scientific outputs;
Interest in translating and communicating the results of their work for impact in society;
Demonstrated leadership ability in research and beyond;
Interest in the role of research in addressing complex issues affecting society;
Interest in collaborations across disciplines and sectors (e.g. industry, government, etc.);
Commitment to participate in all the activities of the fellowship; and
Intent to share what is learned in the programme with their broader networks.

Timeline

15 July 2023	Applications close
01-08 September 2023	Outcome letters sent to applicants
31 November 2023	Arrival of fellows in Pretoria

Documents Required for Application

All applicants have to provide two support letters from academic referees (details are provided in the application form). Please ensure that the support letters are sent from an accredited institutional email address. One of the two referees has to commit to be involved in future communications and mentorship in case of selection of the applicant into the programme. This referee will be informed about the progress of the fellow and should be willing to support the fellow if he or she requires it