Thuso Resources and Thuso Connect – Dedicated to the development of emerging scholars and researchers

On 18 May 2023, Universities South Africa (USAf) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) launched two online platforms designed as support interventions for emerging academics and researchers in the university sector.

These platforms are a direct response to findings of the 2018 USAf study on 'Building a Cadre of Emerging Scholars for Higher Education in South Africa.' This report indicated a range of barriers to the advancement of research careers in academia, which were found to be prevalent across the sector. Young academics cited heavy teaching and administrative loads, insufficient research time and a lack of mentors, research networks and funding – among many impediments to the pursuit of doctoral studies and academic research careers.

Thuso Resources is a free online repository of vital information resources, modules and programmes that have been selectively gathered from contributing universities and other sources, and made available for capacity building and career development of individuals in the budding stages of their academic and research careers. Thuso Connect, the second platform, is intended to connect early career scholars and researchers with experienced mentors to support them on their academic journey. Thuso is a Sesotho word meaning “Help.”

Both platforms are part of the DSI-sponsored Advancing Early Career Research and Scholarship (AECRS) Programme, driven under the auspices of USAf.

The discourse regarding emerging researchers and scholars dates back as far as 2005. At the time, the higher education sector was concerned about the ageing professoriate across South African universities. However, in 2015, the then Department of Science and Technology (DST) expressed concern over what they called a “silent majority”, referring to multitudes of early career academics at lecturer and senior lecturer levels who were not pursuing research. Hence, the 2018 report.

The study focused on two areas. Firstly, it was to establish the proportion and demographics of academics at lecturer and senior lecturer levels who were active researchers and those who were not. Secondly, the study investigated the environmental context, enablers and impediments to increasing the number of emerging researchers at systemic, institutional and individual levels. The findings of the study suggested a need for strategic actions to increase the number, diversity and representation of emerging researchers and scholars in the university system.

Part of the recommendations was to create new forms of capacity-building for emerging scholars. The study also identified the need to instil and facilitate a culture of mentorship and perhaps establish a forum to share lessons learned. Hence, the establishment by USAf of the Community of Practice for Postgraduate Education and Scholarship. This CoP seeks to support individual and institutional skills development in postgraduate education and scholarship, and to facilitate collaboration and collegial engagement amongst peers. Moreover, the CoP contributes to the development of trans- and multi-disciplinary institutional research practices in institutions.

The AECRS team is constantly seeking ways to ensure that emerging scholars and academics receive the necessary knowledge they require for their careers to thrive.

With the launch of Thuso Resources and Thuso Connect, we hope to build a community that will transcend institutional borders to benefit the entire higher education sector.