ZEITZ MOCAA VISIT  |  WELLCOME PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE PROJECT

The Wellcome Photography Prize Project learners from IkamvaYouth Makhaza and Kuyasa visited the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz Mocaa).

Surrounded by thought-provoking works from artists across the continent, the learners engaged with the concepts of visual storytelling, identity, and representation. The visit is part of the creative journey, offering inspiration and critical insight as the learners start looking into how to curate the work for an upcoming exhibition about the lived experience of infectious disease, mental health, and climate change in Khayelitsha.

Thank you to Lee Burgers and the team at Zeitz Mocaa for the invitation and for guiding the learners through the various works of the artists.

IKAMVAYOUTH MAKHAZA  |  LEARNER DOCCIES

Meet the first cohort of the 2025 Learner Doccies programme from IkamvaYouth Makhaza. The programme took place over one week during the April school holidays. Throughout the week, learners learnt about scientific research and the basics of TB and transmission and received practical training in storytelling, filming, and editing.

The week concluded with students creating short documentary films that highlight the themes and skills covered during the programme. Learners will return to create the trailers for the films before release.

WHAT IS RESEARCH  |  SCIENCE WORKSHOP

The first 2025 cohort of the Learner Doccies programme had science workshops which were held at the UCT Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), facilitated by postgraduate and postdoctoral students from the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences and attended by IkamvaYouth Makhaza learners.

The sessions explored what research is and the basics of TB from a biomedical perspective. Learners learned about scientific research by conducting hands-on experiments in the lab, formulating a hypothesis and collecting samples from various surfaces to determine which carried the most bacteria.

We concluded the science workshops at the IDM with a lesson on TB transmission and discussions on the findings from the experiments. Thank you to our incredible facilitators for guiding the learners and for leading such an engaging and insightful experience.

STOP GBV  |  POETRY SESSIONS

April’s First Friday Poetry Sessions, co-hosted with Isivivana Centre and Bertha Movie House, focused on raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV). Artists and poets gathered to share thoughtful work reflecting on the issue, community challenges, and a shared commitment to social change.

Every performance provided more than a creative expression. It opened a space for reflection and conversation, emphasising the pressing need to address the realities faced by so many.

Our next session is scheduled for May. Please check our social media for the exact dates and details. We look forward to seeing you!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

FALLING WALLS  |  GLOBAL CALL 2025

Since 2009, the Falling Walls Science Summit has created space for the world’s boldest scientific minds to come together, share breakthroughs, and ask: “What are the next walls to fall in science and society?”

This year, as part of the Falling Walls Global Call, there’s an open invitation to nominate projects for the Science Breakthrough of the Year in Science Engagement. The renowned international jury will select the finalists and invite them to present their work at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin from 7 to 9 November 2025.

Falling Walls seeks the latest and most innovative Science Breakthroughs of the Year, inviting nominations and applications from around the globe. Submissions for this year will be accepted from 3 March to 15 May 2025.

Submit HERE and use the code 630625.

POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITY  |  STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

Stellenbosch University has two openings for postdoctoral fellows interested in researching the ‘science and society’ space. Both positions will be hosted at the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) as part of the Public Engagement Lab.

Science Fellowship

This one-year fellowship, funded by the Rita Allen Foundation, focuses on civic science. The successful candidate will conduct a landscape analysis of civic science initiatives in South Africa and develop relevant case studies and teaching materials. Civic science is a growing field of study and an area of practice committed to co-creating a future where all people can shape and benefit from science, technology and innovation.

Public Engagement with the Social Sciences and Humanities Fellowship

This 14-month fellowship, supported by the Stellenbosch University Rector’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme, will explore how social sciences and humanities research is communicated and shared with a broader society. The fellow will contribute to an emerging research agenda on public engagement with science beyond the natural sciences.

These fellowships provide an opportunity to engage in innovative, interdisciplinary research with a dynamic and supportive team. Candidates will benefit from CREST’s strong reputation in science communication, public engagement, science policy, and research evaluation.

Eligibility and Application

• Have obtained a PhD within the past five years;

• Hold a doctorate in science communication, media studies, or a related discipline relevant to public engagement with science.

To apply, visit https://www0.sun.ac.za/crest/ss-postdocs/ for more details and apply by 5 June 2025.

Eh!woza generates youth-produced media exploring the local health challenges, simultaneously addressing biomedical and social determinants of health in high-burden areas. With TB being a key focus area, digital media examine associated factors relating to access, equity, mental health, abuse and gender-based violence. The work aims to stimulate locally-led discourse around health and disease while prompting responsiveness to various complex conditions which surround it. Eh!woza is funded by the Wellcome Trust and supported by the MRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit.

Click here to view the project.

For more information: info@ehwoza.com