The Hub’s five strategic pillars—collaborative research, consultative processes, capacity development, influencing university curriculum design, and societal impact—will enable the Public Policy Hub (PPH) to become an active partner in shaping Africa’s public policy and governance development. These pillars focus on collaborative research, evidence-based policy formulation, practical implementation, and maintaining the objectivity of research.

To become an active partner in shaping Africa’s development agenda from a public policy and governance perspective, the PPH has the following five strategic pillars to support its vision:

1. Collaborative, relevant, and impactful research: Partner with faculties, centres, and institutes across UP as well as research fellows and associates at other universities; national and international practitioners, and policymakers to produce practical research with implementable solutions for societal impact. 
2. Consultative processes and research-to-policy dialogues: Develop and convene networks of public sector and research experts with the intention of increasing demand for and uptake of evidence in policy decisions. These research-to-policy dialogues will also assist researchers in understanding the policymaking processes and how to be more helpful, and flexible when communicating research (e.g., through policy briefs, and policy notes). 
3. Capacity development and executive training: Using existing expertise across the university and the knowledge created through collaborative research, partner with Enterprises UP to provide a range of learning opportunities for policymakers across sectors and through developed curricula, build the capacity of the next generation of leaders and policymakers in the public sector,
4. Influencing university curriculum design: By integrating the diverse expertise of multiple stakeholders in the research formulation process as co-producers of knowledge in an ever-changing environment, expose students and faculty staff to real-time global policy issues and real-world learning to the qualifications offered by the University of Pretoria are practical, relevant, and adaptive to real-world events.
5. Ensuring positive societal impact: At a national level, the goal is to have the public sector appropriating a knowledge repository to shape and influence public policy, reforms, and legislation. 

Explore the PPH's Strategic Pillars: View Our Infographic Here

By fostering partnerships between higher education institutions and the public sector, the PPH addresses critical policy research needs. This collaboration ensures that research is tailored to real-world challenges, creating a robust foundation for evidence-based policy recommendations. The collaborative research efforts of the PPH lead to the development of well-informed policy recommendations designed to drive tangible improvements in outcomes and impacts that are meaningful for individuals, communities, governance, and public life. The emphasis on evidence-based policy ensures that changes are not only practical but also sustainable and impactful.

The research-to-policy pathway cultivated by the PPH fosters numerous beneficial spillovers. One key benefit is bridging the gap between academia and the public sector. This integration facilitates skills transfer and enhances mutual knowledge sharing, enriching both academic and public sector practices. The PPH’s activities also significantly impact university curriculum design. By immersing students and faculty in real-time policy issues, the Hub provides valuable real-world learning opportunities. This integration ensures that academic programs are aligned with current policy challenges and equipped to produce graduates who are well-prepared to contribute to public policy development.

Engaging students and faculty in ongoing policy research projects creates immersive learning experiences. These opportunities allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical challenges, enhancing their skills and understanding of the policy-making process. Faculty members benefit from exposure to contemporary policy issues, enriching their teaching and research endeavors.

Transdisciplinary research is at the core of the PPH’s approach. Addressing complex public policy challenges requires insights from multiple disciplines working together beyond traditional boundaries. The PPH facilitates collaboration among diverse experts, fostering innovative solutions that are comprehensive and multifaceted. This transdisciplinary approach ensures that policies are not only informed by the best available evidence but also consider the broader social, economic, and environmental contexts.

Through these strategic pillars, the Public Policy Hub at the University of Pretoria will play a pivotal role in advancing public policy and governance in Africa. The PPH's approach ensures that research efforts lead to practical, evidence-based policies that address the continent's most pressing challenges, ultimately fostering sustainable development and improved quality of life for African communities.