SASUF+ Virtual AIMday

One hour, one challenge

The first virtual SASUF AIMday brought researchers from South Africa and Sweden together around challenges submitted by organisations, municipalities and civil society. Each one-hour session explored a challenge that researchers from both countries could help address.

AgriSfeer asked how farm-management software could integrate different sources of data and build farmers’ trust. Green Scarf NPC sought evidence-based approaches to nutrition in early childhood development centres. eThekwini Municipality submitted a challenge on managing and recycling e-waste, while Health Systems Trust asked how partnerships with practitioners and student leaders could increase HIV and TB testing uptake. These were among the challenges discussed on 26 and 27 May 2026. The format starts with a question from an organisation and brings together researchers with relevant, often different, expertise to explore possible approaches and identify where further knowledge is needed.

Challenges across countries and disciplines

Asiye eTafuleni, an informal-workers’ justice organisation in Durban, asked how cities could create fair, sustainable arrangements for informal trolley-based transport. Its challenge brought together the need to protect livelihoods and reduce retailer losses, inviting expertise from urban planning, law and logistics. Region Norrbotten in Sweden asked how men could be engaged in perinatal mental health, drawing on lessons from both South Africa and Sweden. The challenge opened a discussion about involvement in mental health support around pregnancy and childbirth. Sweden’s Delegation for Migration Studies (Delmi) asked how housing markets favour established residents over newcomers. By identifying patterns in South Africa and Sweden, researchers could explore strategies to help migrants access stable housing.

What followed?

The event linked participants directly to the Local AIMday Grant and the SASUF-NRF Seed Grant for Academia, Industry and Societal Collaboration. The Local AIMday call received 28 applications, of which 23 were eligible, for up to 10 awards. The first SASUF-NRF call received 49 proposals, of which 45 were eligible, for up to 20 awards. The number of applications suggests that organisations and researchers want routes from conversation into further work. The more important account will come next: which collaborations were funded, what they attempted and whether the organisations that brought the original challenges remained involved.

Text by: Beth Amato, University of the Witwatersrand