PRETORIA – The University of Pretoria (UP) has awarded over R500 000 to UP researchers across three winning proposals that exemplify the transformative potential of research that bridges disciplines.

The winners of the 2025 Senate Conference Research Project Awards were announced at a recent Senate meeting, following a call for entries made at the annual Senate Conference held at Future Africa, UP’s pan-African platform for collaborative research, in February.

The awards promote innovation and collaboration across traditionally unrelated academic fields, in line with UP’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A total of 28 proposals were submitted and evaluated by a panel chaired by Professor Brenda Wingfield of UP’s Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, with representation from across UP’s faculties.

First prize: Advancing structural timber innovation

The R300 000 first prize was awarded to a team led by Professor Schalk Grobbelaar of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT), for the project ‘Unlocking Sustainability and Circularity through the ProtoBuilding Concept’.

The initiative brings together experts in architecture, civil engineering, molecular genetics and marketing to develop innovative timber products and technologies tailored to local conditions. Key objectives include improving the sustainability and performance of engineered timber, addressing design and regulatory constraints, and promoting timber construction in both urban and rural contexts.

“This recognition affirms the importance of transforming how we design and build,” Prof Grobbelaar said. “Our team is excited to contribute to the shift toward greener, locally adaptable construction solutions.”

Second prize: Multidisciplinary energy skills development

The R150 000 second prize went to a team led by Professor Roula Inglesi-Lotz of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS), for the project ‘Multidisciplinary Dynamic Skills Development for Energy Research and Innovation’.

The proposal outlines the development of an adaptive, interdisciplinary training programme that integrates economics, engineering, physics, chemistry and policy to address the demand for energy transition skills. The project aims to create a flexible curriculum tailored to four target groups (high school learners, university students, community members and energy professionals), equipping them with skills to meet the challenges of the energy transition.

“This project is about more than skills training – it’s about transforming how we prepare individuals and communities for a sustainable energy future,” Prof Inglesi-Lotz said. “We are building a model of education that is inclusive, practical and responsive to the real-world complexities of the energy transition. It reflects our belief that no single discipline can solve the energy crisis alone.”

Third prize: Advancing equitable access to hearing healthcare

The R100 000 third prize was awarded to a project led by Professor Tania Hanekom of EBIT, titled ‘Beyond Hearing: Addressing Non-auditory Challenges in Cochlear Implant Recipients’.

This transdisciplinary project brings together specialists in engineering, audiology and anatomy to address disparities in access to cochlear implants and related care among individuals with severe to profound hearing loss in South Africa. The initiative focuses on maximising the auditory benefit that cochlear implant recipients may gain by understanding, anticipating and managing non-auditory stimulation, thereby improving affordability, ensuring sustainability and ultimately shaping policies that support equitable hearing healthcare.

"We are committed to enhancing the quality of life for cochlear implant recipients," Prof Hanekom said. "By looking beyond hearing alone, we aim to deliver solutions that are both clinically effective and deeply human-centred." 

Each proposal was evaluated based on the novelty of the cross-disciplinary pairing, the potential for high-impact academic outputs, and the social value of the research. The project timelines span two to three years.

The Senate Research Project Awards underscore UP’s leadership in fostering transdisciplinary excellence and advancing research that directly responds to national and global development priorities.