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. This open call followed a similar exercise in 2024, the results of which can be seen at https://usaf.ac.za/strategy-groups/research-and-innovation-strategy-group/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 Nomakwezi 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. These are classified by disciplinary origin, below: