Faculty of Health Sciences Research

Message from the Deputy Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies

The University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Faculty of Health Science is well placed to play a proactive role in addressing the practical health challenges faced by the African continent. Driven by the UP 2025 strategy the Faculty of Health Sciences has created an enabling environment for our researchers to serve as a link between global academic communities and African health problems. In light of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, our staff and students have made a considerable contribution in the generation, translation, and dissemination of valuable knowledge to contribute to the fight against the pandemic.

“I am conscious of the complexities of the context in which we conduct our research and I would like to encourage our staff and students to conduct transformative research that contributes to social action and social justice.”

- Prof Tivani Mashamba-Thompson

Our team at the Faculty of Health Sciences research office have created a vibrant, inclusive, coherent and optimally coordinated research environment that contributes to UP’s performance targets, South Africa’s health socio-economic and environmental priorities. We are aware of the increasing expectations, limited resources, tensions between competition and cooperation, and the need for evidence-based funding that is creating major change in how research is conducted and perceived. We are adapting to this environment and leveraging on the foundation laid and constantly improving the visibility and social impact of our research. We continue to support our students and staff to conduct transformative and collaborative research that contributes to pressing development issues, despite often scarce resources.

As we 'Build Back Better' after COVID-19 pandemic and in recognition of the many benefits that research capacity building brings to patients, healthcare professionals, healthcare organizations and society more broadly, the Faculty of Health Sciences has implemented a multi-strategy approach to building research capacity. To complement the capacity building efforts that exist in the Faculty we have recently introduced the following strategic projects: evidence synthesis research capacity building and research visibility and impact. The above projects are structured to bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers, improve research quality and productivity while reducing research waste. These projects are also focused on stimulating inclusive, collaborative, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Meet the Faculty of Health Sciences School RESCOM (Research Committee Members) Chairs:


Prof Razia Khammissa Deputy Chair: RESCOM School of Dentistry	Prof Janette Bester School of Medicine	Prof Kitty Uys School of Health Care Sciences	Prof Joyce Shirinde School of Health Systems and Public Health