Creating conducive environments for early career researchers and academics across the institutions of higher learning in South Africa remains a pivotal task. Hence, Professor Stephanie Burton, Programme Leader of the Advancing Early Career Researchers and Scholars (AECRS), emphasises the need to hear from this cohort the kind of help that would propel their careers forward.

Professor Burton (above) said this ahead of the AECRS session titled, Early Career Researchers – The Support We Need, today from 15h30 to 17h00 at the ongoing Science Forum South Africa 2024 at the CSIR International Convention Centre.

“We have asked our panellists to share with us, the research and academic community, their early career journeys – what they regarded as the most important kind of support they needed and interventions they have found useful,” she said, adding that another focus will be on individual mentorship experiences.

“In essence, we would like to hear the challenges these early career academics have encountered and the progress they have achieved.”

“While we understand that this group of panellists is a small fraction of the entire cohort, nationally, their inputs will illuminate other ways we may empower emerging researchers and academics at our universities and help them not only thrive but soar,” she said.

AECRS, hosted by Universities South Africa (USAf) and funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), was established to meet the growing needs of emerging academics and researchers in South Africa’s higher education and research sectors. It aims to provide integrated support and capacity-building initiatives through informative career development resources and interactive mentorship opportunities.  Currently, AECRS has developed two Thuso (help) platforms – Thuso Resources and Thuso Connect – both openly accessible online, providing invaluable information and guidance to emerging academics and researchers.

Professor Burton emphasised the value of hearing from the affected groups and individuals what they deem essential, when considering well-rounded, wrap-around support tools and methods.

Mr Bheki Hadebe (left), Director: Research Development at the DSTI, viewed this session as an opportune moment to not only gather more valuable insights in ensuring that programmes such as AECRS remain relevant, but also to ensure that the people it is targeting are aware of such interventions.

“We have worked hard to bring these resources to life, and we desire to see early career researchers and scholars utilising them and giving us feedback on how else we could improve our support systems,” he said.

Mr Hadebe said this engagement is pivotal as it will foster the strengthening of resources for emerging researchers and academics to succeed, thus helping to build a solid pipeline of well-equipped individuals with requisite skills and talents across South African universities.

The panellists’ group for today’s engagement includes (pictured above from left to right) Dr Carmien Tolmie, Lecturer at the University of the Free State, Ms Betty Sebati, Research Assistant and PhD Candidate at the University of Johannesburg, Dr Edith Phalane, Research Manager/Specialist at the University of Johannesburg, Ms Lebogang Manthibe Ramalepe, Lecturer at the North-West University and PhD Candidate at the University of Johannesburg, and Dr Mpho Mafa, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Free State.

Writer, Nqobile Tembe is the Marketing and Communication Consultant for USAf’s Advancing Early Career Researchers and Scholars (AECRS) Programme.