The Tuks Young Research Leader Program at the University of Pretoria is now accepting applications.The Robert Bosch Stiftung, Inclusive Innovation, the Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP), and the University of Pretoria collaborated to create the TYRLP. Early career researchers in the social sciences, engineering, humanities, and fundamental and applied sciences are served by it. The program’s objective is to help UP’s early career academics advance in the areas of cooperation, engagement, team building, and thought leadership so they can handle society’s most challenging problems. In keeping with the anticipated UP 2025 vision, another goal is to create a community of like-minded young researchers at UP who have attributes that will help UP become a premier research-intensive university.
The leadership programme:
- Identifies early 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 development of their academic careers and its impact;
- Creates a network of early career academic leaders at UP, spanning across disciplinary boundaries;
- Advances a curriculum for academic leadership development, which can be utilised by others.
Programme structure The programme follows a highly interactive approach to training, including the application of skills to a leadership project, peer support, and mentorship. Fellows will attend a two-day intensive on‐site programme at Future Africa Campus. The process involves an approach that cycles between theory, application, and reflection. Participants will be challenged to work collaboratively to design initiatives that advance a new paradigm for their science.
The training will cover elements of:
- Core elements of collective leadership
- Creative and systems thinking
- Development of effective networks
- Stakeholder engagement for change
- Maximizing the efficiency and impact of collaborative efforts
- Advanced dialogue and communication skills
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making
Expected commitment:
The TYRLP is seeking candidates who are committed to developing science leadership at UP. The training itself requires the time commitment of a two-day training session. Furthermore, fellows will be expected to develop their leadership skills and engage with other fellows and the ASLP team for peer support following the training.
Selection Process:
The selection process will consider individual qualities but also focus on ensuring a diversity of culture, subject background (natural and social sciences, humanities), and gender among the fellows. The following criteria are used as a guide for the nomination and selection of fellows:
- A research fellowship with one year of experience or a faculty position at UP
- Outstanding scientific potential and outputs
- A desire to nurture a culture of research excellence
- Internationally influential, but South Africa and Africa focused
- A desire to work collaboratively on inter‐ and transdisciplinary problems
- An appetite for multiple stakeholder engagement and research communication
- Commitment to participate in all the activities of the fellowship
