The University of Pretoria (UP) has awarded Professor Daniel Bradlow with The Conversation Africa Science Communication Award for having had the most articles published in The Conversation Africa by a UP scholar. The award acknowledges his commitment to communicating complex legal and economic concepts to broader audiences, making his expertise accessible beyond academic circles.

“This recognition is deeply humbling,” Prof Bradlow says. “As academics, our research only has an impact when it reaches the right audiences. The Conversation Africa has been instrumental in helping to bridge the gap between academic insights and public discourse.”

Prof Bradlow, an emeritus professor at the American University’s Washington College of Law, is responsible for the internationally acclaimed LLM programme in International Trade and Investment Law in Africa at UP’s Centre for Human Rights. Currently serving as a senior research fellow at UP’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, Prof Bradlow brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including as Head of the South African Reserve Bank’s International Economic Relations and Policy Department; Chair of the Roster of Experts for the Independent Review Mechanism of the African Development Bank; and Director of the International Legal Studies Programme at the American University’s Washington College of Law.

“What keeps me motivated is the opportunity to make positive changes in the world,” Prof Bradlow explains. “My work has always been guided by the belief that legal frameworks can be powerful tools for development and social justice when properly understood and implemented.”

His academic journey took an interesting turn when he switched from medicine to pursue a BA in Political Science and Economics, which he completed in 1977. He later obtained an LLM in law in 1994 and 1995 as well as an LLD from UP. Prof Bradlow’s diverse educational background has informed his multidisciplinary approach to legal scholarship.

As a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, he has collaborated with various academic institutions worldwide, contributing significantly to the global dialogue on international economic law and development.

“Effective communication of research findings is essential for policy impact,” Prof Bradlow remarks. “This award reinforces the importance of making academic knowledge accessible to those who can implement meaningful change.”