The South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) was established in 2006 by the Department of Science and Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). The aim of the initiative is to strengthen and improve research at public universities across South Africa and to build research capacity of students and emerging scholars.
Professor Leila Patel, the founder of the Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) at the 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg was named the South African Research Chair in Welfare and Social Development in 2015 and has, in the past several years, used the position to build on the role she envisioned for the CSDA when it was established in 2004: as a site for innovative social development research from and about the African continent, and one from which to build the capacity of future generations of social development scholars.
In 2023 Prof Leila Patel (SARChI) in Welfare and聽Social Development and remains connected with the work of the CSDA and the SARChI as she remains a Professor of Social Development. She will also continue to lead our flagship study until its completion in 2024.
Prof Tanusha Raniga served as the Interim SARChI Chair in Welfare and Social Development from 2023 until the end of 2024.
Prof Lauren Graham is currently the Interim SARChI Chair in Welfare and Social Development.
By providing strategic support and funding to outstanding researchers with vast experience and knowledge, DSTI and the NRF aim to support universities to nurture postgraduate students with high potential and invest in improving innovation and research output at universities.
Holding the position of SARCHI Chair in Welfare and Social Development helps to build on the strengths of the CSDA and creates valuable opportunities to enhance the work in which the Chair is involved with. The SARCHi Chair in Welfare and Social Development is housed in the CSDA and conducts research in poverty, inequality and vulnerability with a focus on women, children, youth, people with disabilities and in social protection, monitoring and evaluation of developmental social welfare policies and services.
