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Ignite your curiosity and empower your future. Join us on this exciting journey to transform the face of African science through cutting-edge methodologies, events, and education.
Join exclusive workshops, seminars, and conferences led by industry experts and academic pioneers.
Listen to groundbreaking discussions and deep dives into scientific methodologies on the go.
Upskill with targeted, verifiable micro-courses designed to boost your research capabilities.
Explore the future of research methods, scholarly collaboration, and AI-enhanced learning experiences.
A hands-on test of our beautiful platform functionalities.

Prompting basics and AI-assisted research workflows. Understand how generative AI supports research tasks

Work is Changing. So Should Your Research Methods. A live demo on using AI automation for research and work in social science. Walk away knowing how to run literature reviews, policy comparisons, and discourse analysis in minutes ??? not weeks.

The Nelson Mandela University International Office, in collaboration with the Grassroots African Research Network for Doctoral Collaboration (GARNET), invites all Nelson Mandela University Honours, Masters, PhD students, and Postdocs to an exclusive introductory session. This is your chance to join a Pan-African network dedicated to producing impactful knowledge for the continent. Schedule: Research beyond the checklist: Inquiry vs performance (Expect a hands-on session where we experiment and learn from each other in real-time) Duration: 60 minutes Presentation introducing the GARNET Duration: 10 minutes Q & A Duration:15 minutes Closing Remarks Duration: 5 minutes

Learn how to transform organized research files into structured data you can analyze. This beginner-friendly session introduces simple techniques for extracting, cleaning, and working with data using computational thinking.

Join our upcoming Garnet???s Africa Tech Webinar on ???Using Strawberry AI to Enhance Your Research??? with Nombali Mafa. This session will introduce key technical skills and guide you through running your first research script using AI tools.

Distinguished Prof Kevin Durrheim will give a short demonstration about how to convert audio to text. Very useful for transcribing interviews, meetings and your own thoughts.

Join the Methods Lab for a beginner-friendly webinar on Introduction to Computational Thinking for Social Scientists. This session introduces key concepts such as logic, variables, and basic coding, while demonstrating how to automate research tasks and streamline your workflow. Taking place on 22 April 2026, it???s an ideal starting point for anyone looking to build practical technical skills for modern research.
Connect and learn from academic pioneers, global innovators, and leading researchers at the forefront of modern scientific methodologies.

Founder, AI Strategy, Governance & Ethics Advisor
Nasreen Watson is the Founder of AI STRATA, an AI strategy, governance, and ethics initiative focused on responsible and equitable AI adoption. She holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy specialising in the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), a BA Honours in Philosophy (cum laude), and a BA in Human Resource Management from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Nasreen previously served as a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, where she worked within the Department of Philosophy and contributed to teaching, curriculum support, and student development. Her research and public work focus on AI ethics, governance, digital literacy, and educational equity. She is also ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certified in Artificial Intelligence Management Systems. Nasreen has presented at national and international conferences, delivered a TEDx talk titled ???From No Chair to Africa???s AI,??? and published thought leadership pieces in the Mail & Guardian on AI governance and digital ethics.
VERIFIEDHuman Rights Advocate & Sociologist
Engaged Scholar, Human Rights Advocate & Sociologist Results-driven human rights advocate, sociology expert, and organizational leader with a strong background in Higher Education and Community Development in Non-Profit Organizations. Over a decade of experience collaborating with NGOs, development partners, and academic institutions to drive social development and capacity-building initiatives. Holds a Master's Degree in International Human Rights Law, an Honours Degree in Sociology. and a Bachelors degree in law. Currently obtained a dual Ph.D. in Sociology & Organizational Science while actively involved in international teaching and local mentorship programs. Passionate about preserving cultural dignity and combating epistemic injustice. Proven track record in research, decolonization, community engagement, human rights advocacy and engaged scholarship locally & internationally.

Software Developer
I am a Business Information Technology graduate with a strong focus on innovation, digital solutions, and emerging technologies. I previously served as an ambassador at the University of Johannesburg Technopreneurship Centre and am now an IBM Z Student Ambassador Alumni, experiences that strengthened my leadership, collaboration, and understanding of enterprise computing. Through hackathons and project development, I have gained practical experience building solutions that address real-world challenges, including initiatives that leverage data and technology for meaningful impact. My technical skill set includes programming languages such as Python, C#, and JavaScript, with growing interests in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. I am driven by a passion for problem-solving and continuous learning. I aim to use technology to create impactful, scalable solutions while expanding my expertise and contributing to the evolving digital landscape.

Librarian
Blessing Chiparausha is university librarian at Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe. He holds a PhD in information science from the University of South Africa. He has published refereed journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers on the use of information and communication technologies in academic libraries, mainly focusing on the use of social media, free and open-source software, and related digital applications.

Founder, Consultant, and Operational Strategist
Lindsey Wallett ??? Founder, Consultant, and Operational Strategist Lindsey Wallett is the Founder and CEO of See-Contact Solutions, a consulting practice that helps organisations simplify complex operations, implement practical technology solutions, and improve customer-facing processes. With more than 13 years of experience across healthcare, customer operations, product services and digital transformation, Lindsey specialises in identifying the operational friction that quietly drains time, money and energy inside businesses. Her work focuses on turning that friction into measurable improvement through better processes, smarter technology adoption, and clearer operational strategy. Through See-Contact Solutions, Lindsey works with SMEs and technology startups to diagnose operational inefficiencies, optimise service environments such as contact centres, and guide organisations through digital transformation initiatives that are practical and commercially grounded. Her approach focuses on helping growing businesses build operational foundations that scale without unnecessary complexity or wasted cost. Lindsey???s career spans customer experience operations, product management, implementation strategy and organisational change. This cross-functional background allows her to bridge the gap that often exists between leadership teams, operational environments and technology delivery. She is also deeply passionate about leadership and the role it plays in shaping resilient organisations. Lindsey believes strong leadership is not just about strategy, but about creating environments where people can grow, challenge ideas and build systems that work better for both employees and customers. Alongside her consulting work, Lindsey is committed to developing practical frameworks, tools and conversations that help organisations and leaders navigate an increasingly technology-driven business environment.

Software Engineer
I am a technopreneur and developer focused on creating digital solutions that improve productivity, organization, and collaboration. I build mobile and web applications with an emphasis on practical problem-solving and user-friendly design. I am also involved in a technopreneurship center where I support innovation through mentorship, project facilitation, and partnerships. Alongside development work, I engage in academic and research activities that explore how technology can enhance knowledge and data management. My goal is to continuously grow my skills in software engineering and digital innovation while contributing to meaningful, real-world solutions.

Tebatso Mamabolo is a youth development and sustainable development practitioner with a strong academic and leadership background rooted in social impact and community engagement. She holds an Honours degree and is a second-generation graduate of the University of Johannesburg, where she has also served in multiple leadership capacities that strengthened her commitment to inclusive education, student success and civic responsibility. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the League of Dignity NPC, a youth-led organisation advancing dignity, gender justice and community empowerment through education, advocacy and locally driven development initiatives. Tebatso is also an academic facilitator and works closely with the University of Johannesburg???s Community Engagement Division, supporting student-centred learning, service-learning projects and institutional partnerships with community organisations. She serves as the Co-Executive Producer of TEDxYouth Johannesburg, contributing to the strategic curation of ideas, youth leadership development and the delivery of platforms that amplify young African voices and innovation. Her leadership experience further includes serving as South Africa???s UNESCO Ambassador for the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) initiative, where she contributed to youth-focused advocacy on education, health, gender equality and leadership across diverse stakeholder platforms. She is a former Miss UJ APK and later led the pageant programme with a strategic focus on leadership development, social responsibility and impact-driven student initiatives. Tebatso???s professional interests centre on youth leadership, gender-based violence prevention, sustainable development and the role of higher education in advancing social justice. She is particularly passionate about creating pathways for young people, especially young women, to become confident, ethical and purpose-driven leaders who contribute meaningfully to their communities and to Africa???s broader development agenda

Kutloano Malahlela is a visionary community development practitioner currently pursuing a Master of Arts (MA) in Community Development. He holds both an undergraduate and an honours degree in Community Development, both obtained with distinction from the University of Johannesburg. Originally from Pretoria, he founded The Eye of Hope Community Development Organization at the age of 14, focusing on poverty alleviation, education, and African-centered development. Under his leadership, the organization has impacted over 2,000 beneficiaries, sustained a school feeding scheme, and launched a Spelling Bee in South African Indigenous Languages to promote literacy and preserve African heritage. Kutloano has represented the University of Johannesburg in Germany, France, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe through transdisciplinary and youth leadership programmes on sustainable education and decolonial scholarship. Deeply passionate about African heritage, his work centers on restoring cultural pride, promoting indigenous knowledge systems, and advancing Afrocentric approaches to development. His contributions have earned him recognition as one of the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans (2023) and an African Future Leaders Honoree.
Tune into conversations that shape the future of African research.
In this episode of African Discoveries, Shaun of Thought engages Dr Busisiwe Ntsele to explore what it means to build a just society through intentional action, critical thought, and transformative hope. Framed around the idea of ???planting seeds of hope,??? this conversation unpacks how change is cultivated, not only through policy or institutions, but through everyday practices, education, and the stories we tell about ourselves and our communities. We delve into the power of transformative narratives and how they can challenge inequality, reshape identities, and open up new possibilities for the future. Dr Ntsele also reflects on her journey through what can be described as a "double-barrel PhD" a powerful blending of academic scholarship and lived, community-based knowledge that pushes the boundaries of traditional ways of knowing. The episode further engages with the urgent project of decolonising education in Africa, asking what meaningful transformation looks like beyond symbolic change, and how indigenous knowledge systems, language, and community voices can be centred in reimagining learning spaces.
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Create Free AccountIn this episode of African Discoveries, we sit down with Lindsey Wallett, founder of See-Contact Solutions, to explore a powerful yet often overlooked form of innovation, making better use of the technology we already have. While many organisations rush to adopt new digital tools, Lindsey???s work focuses on uncovering inefficiencies within existing systems and helping businesses reduce service costs while improving customer experience. Through her insights, we learn that true transformation is not always about adding more, but about thinking differently. The conversation unpacks the hidden challenges of customer service technology, the realities of digital transformation in African businesses, and the strategic thinking required to turn operational weaknesses into strengths. Lindsey also reflects on her journey as a founder, the lessons she has learned along the way, and her vision for the future of service optimisation in an AI-driven world. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone interested in innovation that is practical, impactful, and rooted in real-world problem solving.
In this episode of African Discoveries, host Shaun of Thought sits down with Blessing Chiparausha, University Librarian at Bindura University of Science Education, to explore one of Africa???s most overlooked engines of transformation: the academic library. Far from being silent spaces, African libraries are emerging as powerful hubs of digital innovation, research visibility, and knowledge production. Together, they unpack how library resource sharing, social media, and free and open-source software are reshaping how African scholarship is created, accessed, and amplified. The conversation dives into critical questions of epistemic justice, digital decolonisation, and intellectual sovereignty ??? asking who controls African knowledge, who makes it visible, and how the continent can move from consuming knowledge to producing it on its own terms. This episode reframes the librarian not just as a custodian of books, but as a knowledge activist and architect of Africa???s intellectual future.