The countdown to the HSRC-USAf Research Medals event begins today
In the quest to promote quality scholarship that is engaged with social issues, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), in partnership with Universities South Africa (USAf), rewards South Africa’s scholars and researchers for their stellar work.
With seven days to go before the much-sought-after HSRC-USAf Medal for Social Sciences and Humanities award ceremony, adjudication over submissions received has been completed and the chief executive officers of the HSRC and USAf are all set and ready to recognise the winning scholars at a glittering event on Tuesday, 12 April 2022.
Although USAf collaborates with the HSRC for a second consecutive year on this project, the HSRC Medal for Social Sciences and Humanities dates back to 2016, and has been bestowed annually ever since, making it a legacy project in honour of outstanding scholars and researchers.
In June 2020, the HSRC signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with USAf on the HSRC-USAf Dialogue Series – a joint programme in which the two organisations envisaged facilitating public engagements sharing information on any matter of wide societal concern or on-going research projects. The two entities also planned to jointly fundraise for research in areas of common interest, and to disseminate research findings jointly — in pursuit of common goals.
The 2020/21 Medal for Social Sciences and Humanities created a platform for strengthening that partnership, which made it possible for the HSRC to utilise USAf’s institutional network to coordinate the event, and to consolidate both organisations’ efforts in recognising the social science and humanities research undertaken in response, at that time, to the CoVID-19 pandemic.
This project assumes varying themes, year on year. The 2021/22 event, which has seen 44 nominations received — 33 in the Established Researchers category, six in the Emerging Researchers category while five teams are competing for the Team Awards — is themed Recognising Engaged Scholarship.
Prizes up for grabs are:
- A medal and a monetary award of R50 000.00 in the Established Researcher category;
- A medal and a monetary award of R30 000.00 in the Emerging Researcher category;
- A trophy and a certificate for the leader of the winning team and a joint monetary award of R30 000.00 in the Team Award category.
As the countdown to the award ceremony begins today, we begin to profile the 44 nominees in their respective categories, starting with those contending for the Established Researcher Award.
We therefore invite you to meet the researchers and academics nominated for recognition at this prestigious event. Below is the first batch of eight scholars nominated in the Established Researcher category.
The 2021/ 22 awards event will be in hybrid format, with physical attendance opened to invited guests only at the Protea Hotel Fire and Ice, in Menlyn, Pretoria. Other guests will link in virtually via Zoom, for which they need to register prior to the event.
Media Inquiries:
May be directed to Dr Konosoang Sobane, Acting Director: Engagement and Communication at the HSRC (078 1702 567), OR to Ms ‘Mateboho Green, Manager: Corporate Communication at USAf (072 807 4677).
