Apply for the University of Pretoria Tuks Young Research Leadership Programme (TYRLP) 2024 for Early Career Researchers!
Tuks Young Research Leadership Programme (TYRLP) Call for applications 2024 for early career researchers.
Background
The speed and quality of the development of science at UP and beyond not only depend on
infrastructure and technical training but are intimately linked to the quality of leadership
heading the change. In this regard, it is widely accepted that the future of scientific
development lies in enabling interdisciplinary, interconnected, and even large, international
teams.
Training structures are, however, often not set up to prepare the next generation of
scientists for the complexities that an interconnected approach to science entails.
Furthermore, there is an internationally emerging paradigm that recognizes that the focus on
individual leadership is often inadequate to address complex challenges which require skills
across many sectors and collaborative processes.
Overview of the Tuks Young Research Leadership Programme
The Tuks Young Research Leadership Programme (TYRLP) is an initiative of the University of Pretoria in partnership with the Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP), Inclusive Innovation, and the Robert Bosch Stiftung. It serves early career researchers in basic and applied sciences, engineering, social sciences, arts and the humanities.
The Tuks Young Research Leadership programme aims to grow early career academics at UP in the areas of thought leadership, team development, engagement, and collaboration, to enable them to solve the
complex issues that face society. A further aim is to form a community within the University of like‐minded young researchers who possess qualities that will contribute to UP becoming a leading research-intensive University, in line with the projected UP 2025 vision.
The Tuks Young Research Leadership Programme:
● Identifies early career academics who have demonstrated leadership potential and an interest in developing key leadership skills;
● Supports them to apply the acquired skills to projects that are relevant to the development of their academic careers and its impact;
● Creates a network of early career academic leaders at UP, spanning across disciplinary boundaries;
● Advances a curriculum for academic leadership development, which can be utilised by others.
Tuks Young Research Leadership Programme structure
The programme follows a highly interactive approach to training, including the application of
skills to a leadership project, peer support, and mentorship. Fellows will attend a two-day
intensive on‐site programme at Future Africa Campus. The process involves an approach
that cycles between theory, application, and reflection. Participants will be challenged to
work collaboratively to design initiatives that advance a new paradigm for their science.
The training will cover elements of:
● Core elements of collective leadership
● Creative and systems thinking
● Development of effective networks
● Stakeholder engagement for change
● Maximising the efficiency and impact of collaborative efforts
● Advanced dialogue and communication skills
● Effective problem-solving and decision-making
Following the initial training, the ASLP team will engage with fellows for a year, sharing
information on resources and stimulating further interaction.
Expected commitment
The TYRLP is seeking candidates who are committed to developing science leadership at
UP. The training itself requires the time commitment of a two-day training session.
Furthermore, fellows will be expected to develop their leadership skills and engage with
other fellows and the ASLP team for peer support following the training.
Tuks Young Research Leadership Programme Selection criteria and application process
To be selected, applicants need to display a compelling vision of their future involvement in
the development of research projects, programmes, human capacity, specific policies, or
societal structures. The selection process will consider individual qualities but also focus on
ensuring a diversity of culture, subject background (natural and social sciences, humanities),
and gender among the fellows.
The following criteria are used as a guide for the nomination and selection of fellows:
● A research fellowship with one year of experience or a faculty position at UP
● Outstanding scientific potential and outputs
● A desire to nurture a culture of research excellence
● Internationally influential, but South Africa and Africa focused
● A desire to work collaboratively on inter‐ and transdisciplinary problems
● An appetite for multiple stakeholder engagement and research communication
● Commitment to participate in all the activities of the fellowship
All applicants should provide a support letter from an academic referee (details are provided
in the application form). Please ensure that the support letter is sent from an accredited
institutional email address. The referee should be available for future communications and
mentorship in case of selection of the applicant into the programme. The referee will be informed about the progress of the fellow and should be willing to support him/her if required.
All applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by representatives of the University of
Pretoria and ASLP management. The final selection of candidates will be made by the ASLP
management team.
To apply click here or use this link: https://forms.gle/vcqZte215Mx12TqA9
Key dates:
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