Research and Innovation – Societal Impact Case Studies 2025

In August 2025 Universities South Africa launched an Open Call for Impact Case Studies demonstrating the societal impact of academic work carried out by South African universities. A Guidance Note and a Template were provided as part of the Open Call, to help universities in structuring and presenting their impact case studies. Each university was invited to submit a maximum of three Impact Case Studies, describing how the academic work conducted at that university has resulted in a verifiably positive impact on society (outside of academia). The aim is for selected impact case studies to be displayed on the USAf website, in order to have a public demonstration of the value added to society by the work of South African universities.

The 2025 open call can be seen at Open Call for Impact Case Studies 2025. This open call followed a similar exercise in 2024, the results of which can be seen at Societal Impact Case Studies 2024.

In response to the Open Call, 35 Impact Case Studies were submitted by universities from across South Africa. These submissions were assessed according to the criteria outlined in the Guidance Note. The Assessment Panel consisted of:

• Prof Chris Brink, Emeritus Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University UK. (Chair)
• Prof Phil Gummet, former CEO of the Welsh Funding Council and Impact Coordinator of the 2026 Hong Kong Research Assessment Exercise.
• Prof Nomawezi Mzilikazi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Rhodes University.
• Dr Genevieve Simpson, Acting Head, Research Analysis and Advice, National Research Foundation.
• Prof Rachael Jesika Singh, Director: Research and Postgraduate Support, University of the Western Cape.

The Assessment Panel selected 23 Impact Case Studies to appear on the USAf website. Classified by disciplinary origin, these are:

• Agricultural Sciences: 0 Impact Case Studies selected in 2025.
• Economics and Finance: 0 Impact Case Studies selected in 2025
• Engineering and Technology: 4 Impact Case Studies selected in 2025
  • Central University of Technology: Transforming Road Safety and Community Livelihoods through the Pothole Eradication Programme (PEP)
  • Durban University of Technology: An early warning system for monitoring COVID-19 infections in South Africa
  • North-West University: Advancing Renewable Energy, Science Education, and Sustainable Development in South Africa through Hydrogen and Electrolysis Research
  • University of Pretoria: Enhancing the circular economy of minerals by using enhanced numerical modelling techniques to optimise mine pillars and increase extraction ratios
• Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 Impact Case Studies selected in 2025
  • Stellenbosch University: Advances in Forensic Art Explore and Preserve Our Common Humanity
  • Tshwane University of Technology: Beyond Mentorship: An Engineering Graphics and Design society of student teachers.
  • University of Johannesburg: PHUMANI PAPER
  • University of Pretoria: Circular textile solutions for community empowerment: The Clothes to Good (CTG) case
  • University of the Western Cape: Realising Multilingual Education for isiXhosa and Kaaps speakers in our schools and universities: a CMDR case study
  • University of the Witwatersrand: KNOWLEDGE UNZIPPED PROJECT
• Medical and Health Sciences: 6 Impact Case Studies selected in 2025
  • Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Rooted in science, growing worldwide – the measured impact of rooibos health research led by Professor Jeanine Marnewick
  • Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Circumfort: Supporting Post-Circumcision Healing to Improve Public Health Outcomes
  • University of Johannesburg: Improving Vision and Empowering Futures – The University of Johannesburg Optometry Department’s Partnership with Camp Sizanan
  • University of the Witwatersrand: Biomimicry to democratize access to infectious disease diagnostics
  • Walter Sisulu University: Life Sciences teaching and learning workshops
  • Walter Sisulu University: ECAS Mobile Application: Transforming Oesophageal Cancer Screening in Rural Eastern Cape Communities
• Natural Sciences: 2 Impact Case Studies selected in 2025
  • Central University of Technology: Monitoring and Communicating Risk of Emerging Contaminant in Mangaung Water Sources
  • Nelson Mandela University: Tangible Africa
• Interdisciplinary: 5 Impact Case Studies selected in 2025
  • Central University of Technology: Changing faces, Changing Lives
  • North-West University: Research with reach: How the study on antiretroviral drugs in South Africa’s water influenced policy and public awareness.
  • Rhodes University: Rhodes University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Initiative: A Pathway towards Education Transformation in Makhanda
  • University of Johannesburg: Maximising the socioeconomic benefits of the South African flora.
  • University of the Western Cape: TRANSFORMING WASTE INTO HOPE: A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTION IN THE KRUGER TO CANYONS BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Thirteen universities were successful in having at least one Impact Case Study selected to appear on the USAf website. The successful universities are (in alphabetical order):

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology: 2 Case Studies
• Central University of Technology: 3 Case Studies
• Durban University of Technology: 1 Case Study
• Nelson Mandela University: 1 Case Study
• North-West University: 2 Case Studies
• Rhodes University: 1 Case Study
• Stellenbosch University: 1 Case Study
• Tshwane University of Technology: 1 Case Study
• University of Johannesburg: 3 Case Studies
• University of Pretoria: 2 Case Studies
• University of the Western Cape: 2 Case Studies
• University of the Witwatersrand: 2 Case Studies
• Walter Sisulu University: 2 Case Studies