The SAMRC Emerging Researcher Seminar Series is a capacity development initiative designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge and professional networks of emerging researchers across diverse disciplines through interactive sessions with leading scientists, experienced academics and industry experts. The series covered a broad range of topics, including research methodologies, leadership, career development, science communication and translation, grant writing, research ethics, research security and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research.

The inaugural two-day seminar, coordinated by the SAMRC Division of Research Capacity Development, was held at the SAMRC Pretoria campus on 18–19 August 2026, bringing together 28 postgraduate students and staff from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), University of Pretoria (UP), Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and SAMRC. The seminar provided participants with an opportunity to strengthen their research capabilities while engaging with experts across the research and innovation ecosystem.

The programme covered conducting systematic reviews; choosing appropriate study designs; data management tools and best practices; statistics and statistical software; responsible use of AI in research; and practical AI tools for researchers. Participant feedback strongly reflected the value of the inaugural seminar. On Day 1, the Systematic Review session was rated highly, while Day 2 generated particularly strong interest, especially in AI. Participants described the workshop as informative, beneficial and well curated, with several recommending that similar sessions be offered more frequently.

Overall, the positive response demonstrates the value of the SAMRC Emerging Researcher Seminar Series as an important platform for equipping postgraduate students and emerging researchers with practical research skills, contemporary tools and professional networks that support their development and progression as future research leaders.

Reflecting on the seminar, Dr Abeda Dawood said:

“The SAMRC Emerging Researcher Seminar Series is designed to expose participants to current and emerging research trends, as well as the critical issues shaping today’s research landscape. While strengthening technical research capabilities remains an important focus, the initiative goes beyond skills development. Our ambition is to cultivate a vibrant community of practice where emerging researchers in the health sciences can learn from one another, connect with experienced researchers, access mentorship and coaching, and build meaningful collaborations”.

The response to the inaugural seminar has been extremely encouraging. SAMRC has already received expressions of interest from several academic institutions across the country that would like to collaborate with the SAMRC on hosting the seminar series at their institutions. This growing demand demonstrates the value of creating accessible platforms for emerging researchers to connect, learn and grow.

Dr Dawood highlighted that the inaugural programme demonstrated what is possible when expertise and resources are shared across institutions. At a time when research capacity development resources are constrained, collaboration, pooling of expertise and knowledge exchange provide an opportunity to extend the reach and impact of researcher development initiatives. We welcome opportunities to partner with other institutions to co-create and deliver these seminars, share expertise and resources, and collectively strengthen the next generation of health researchers.

A special thank you the workshop facilitators and their institutions, including experts from the SAMRC’s Cochrane SA, Biostatistics Research Unit and Gender and Health Research Unit, as well as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and Stellenbosch University.

Written by Dr Lindokuhle Ndlandla