At Stellenbosch University, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and possibility is our focus. Our research mission is to stay future-focused and maximise our impact.

Research chair bears fruit

Prof Umezuruike Linus Opara's SARChI Chair comes to an end in 2024, but he has already ensured the continuation of its impactful work through a new entity — the Africa Institute for Postharvest Technology. "The institute was envisioned to leverage the successes we have had with the Chair thus far,” he says. “We have made a sure contribution towards building human capacity in terms of postharvest technology."

The interconnected, growing threat of TB in animals and humans

Tuberculosis (TB) is often thought of as a disease that affects only humans when, in fact, it is a multi-host disease [that affects many species]. A team of researchers, based in Stellenbosch University's ​Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, are determined to understand exactly how the transmission of TB occurs between wildlife, livestock, and people.

Revolutionising the concept of shark management

Shark-specific barrier technology developed by marine biologists from Stellenbosch University and their collaborators has been installed in the Bahamas by a client with a private island in the Bahamas. The installation of the 30-metre-long SharkSafe Barrier along a bay on one of the islands will further strengthen marine conservation efforts in the region.

We are committed to achieving excellence in research, and to ensuring that our work contributes to the well-being of society. Click on the links below to read about some of the new interdisciplinary knowledge being generated and the research fields emerging at the University.

Our strategic research areas

Our strategic research areas help ensure that our work connects the university with the world. Explore our research focus and its relevance to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the National Development Plan here.

THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

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HEALTH AND HUMAN SECURITY

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SOCIAL JUSTICE AND DEVELOPMENT

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HUMAN CREATIVITY AND SOCIAL INNOVATION

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SYSTEMS AND TECNOLOGIES FOR THE FUTURE

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MEET OUR PEOPLE

At SU, we are committed to achieving excellence in research and scholarship, and to ensuring that our work contributes to the well-being of society. This section features profiles of some of our prolific researchers whose work is featured on this site. Some of them are world leaders in their respective fields. New profile features on some of our many innovators, postdoctoral students and emerging researchers will be added regularly.


Prof Elmi Muller

In 2022, surgical pioneer Prof Elmi Muller took over the reins from Prof Jimmy Volmink as dean of Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS). This appointment is yet another milestone in a career that is already marked by many formidable achievements.

Prof Jonathan Jansen

Few A1-rated academics can, among their outputs and citations, list that their tweets in support of Springbok rugby were quoted in newspapers. But such is the public following of Prof Jonathan Jansen, distinguished professor in education at Stellenbosch University (SU) and president of the Academy of Science of South Africa.

Professor Novel Chegou

Prof Novel Chegou is this year’s winner of the Royal Society Africa Prize, an annual award by the United Kingdom’s national science academy that recognises the innovative contribution of an African research scientist. Chegou is being honoured for his work in the fields of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.