IIASA at the 2025 Global Research Council Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Meeting & SGCI Academic Symposium

The event, co-hosted by the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa, provides a unique platform to advance the strategic objectives of the Global Research Council while launching a new cohort of SGCI-funded bilateral research projects in the region. The IIASA Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Member Organization (SSARMO), which includes 18 African countries participating in the SGCI, represents a dynamic effort to strengthen the institutional capacities of science granting councils and foster African-led science, innovation, and policy leadership.

IIASA’s engagement with SSARMO reflects a deepening collaboration to co-create knowledge systems that position Africa not only as a participant in global research, but as a driving force shaping sustainable and equitable global futures. By aligning scientific inquiry with regional priorities,  from sustainable development and climate resilience to inclusive innovation,  this partnership underscores the importance of systems thinking in addressing interconnected global challenges.

IIASA Deputy Director General Karen Lips contributes to two key sessions:

• 12 November: "Making a Case for Curiosity-Driven Research" – as part of the session "Bridging Communities through Curiosity-Driven Research: Connecting Funders and Researchers for Africa’s Knowledge Future".

  Serving as a bridge between the GRC Africa Regional Meeting and the Academic Symposium, this interactive session will explore how Curiosity-Driven Research (CDR) can connect funding agencies and researchers in shaping Africa’s scientific future. Participants will reflect on how African perspectives enrich global narratives on CDR, and how investment in fundamental curiosity can strengthen innovation, resilience, and knowledge sovereignty across the continent.

• 13 November: "Policy and Practice Dialogue: Connecting Research to Impact and Decision-Making" – this panel discussion will highlight how collaborative research funding contributes to capacity building, innovation, and the creation of resilient knowledge ecosystems that drive long-term impact and support policy-making process. Panelists will share practical examples of research-to-policy uptake, discuss barriers and enablers, and identify strategic next steps to strengthen intra-African collaboration for impact.

The event highlights how IIASA’s systems approach, in collaboration with SSARMO, supports Africa’s vision of transforming research into actionable knowledge for sustainable, inclusive, and globally connected development.