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Inaugural UCL–South Africa fellowship supports researchers in public engagement
23 April 2025
UCL and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits) have launched the first Public Voices Fellowship, supporting early- and mid-career researchers to amplify the impact of their work through media and public engagement.
The Public Voices Fellowship brings together early- and mid-career researchers from both institutions. Designed to strengthen capacity for public engagement, the fellowship offers tailored media training to help researchers navigate how to pitch their work to journalists, take part in interviews, and contribute to public debates through op-eds and digital media.
The UCL-Wits Public Voices Fellowship brings together six early-career researchers committed to enhancing public engagement in their respective fields. The Fellows include:
- Dr Heba Abd el-Gawad, Research Fellow at UCL's Institute of Archaeology.
- Dr Jhono Bennett, Lecturer in Design at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.
- Dr Siyabonga Ndwandwe, Research Fellow in Health Economics at UCL's Department of Primary Care and Population Health.
- Dr Skye Adams, Lecturer in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at Wits University.
- Dr Gillian Mahumane, Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy at Wits University.
- Dr Mandisa Simamane, Lecturer in the Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at Wits University.
In April 2025, fellows from Wits travelled to London for an intensive week of training and knowledge exchange with their UCL counterparts. The programme included practical sessions on storytelling, social media, and working with the press, and provided opportunities to reflect on the role of researchers in shaping public understanding and policy.
The initiative is part of a broader partnership between UCL and Wits focused on equitable research collaboration and capacity strengthening. By supporting researchers to become more visible and confident voices in the public sphere, the fellowship aims to help ensure that academic research has real-world impact and reaches the communities it serves.
Links
- Read the full story on UCL News: Inaugural UCL-South Africa fellowship empowers researchers to promote their work
- UCL Public Voices
- UCL in Africa & Middle East
- UCL Public Policy
- UCL Media Relations
- UCL Policy Lab
- University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg
- Dr Heba Abd el-Gawad's academic profile
- Dr Jhono Bennett's academic profile
- Dr Siyabonga Ndwandwe's academic profile
- Dr Skye Adams's academic profile
- Dr Gillian Mahumane's academic profile
- Dr Mandisa Simamane's academic profile
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Inaugural Public Voices fellows from UCL and Wits at Gordon Square, London