CoRE Advances Ambitious Research, PhD Expansion, and Pan-African Collaboration Agenda
Expanding doctoral training, deepening collaboration, and strengthening African voices in sustainability debates
In February 2026, at its annual meeting held at Future Africa at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, the Cluster of Research Excellence (CoRE): The Politics of Sustainable Development reflected on its progress and mapped out an ambitious agenda for the year ahead.
The CoRE is advancing a coordinated strategy to strengthen African-led research, expand doctoral training, and deepen South–South and North–South collaboration in the field of sustainability. This next phase is marked by expanded research collaboration, strengthened doctoral training structures, and a clear commitment to amplifying African voices in global sustainability debates.
At the centre of CoRE’s work is its joint PhD programme, which continues to grow in both demand and ambition. With three active cohorts and increasing interest from across the continent, the programme represents a concrete investment in African scholarly leadership. Partners are strengthening academic support structures through writing workshops, cross-institutional supervision, and specialised data training delivered in collaboration with Afrobarometer.
The CoRE’s momentum is equally evident in its outward-facing agenda. Members are preparing joint funding applications, exploring new South–South collaboration opportunities, and planning participation in major sustainability and science conferences. Webinars, side events, and policy dialogues are being developed as stepping stones toward a broader and more sustained research presence, further elevating the CoRE’s visibility and impact.
Looking ahead, CoRE is refining its membership model to welcome new institutional partners while preserving a strong and coherent foundation. This next phase emphasises thoughtful growth—expanding reach while strengthening collaboration and shared accountability.
This structured development reflects a long-term vision: building a resilient, partnership-driven research platform rooted in African priorities and perspectives.
With renewed momentum, strengthened partnerships, and a clear forward strategy, CoRE is positioning itself as a vibrant hub for research, doctoral training, and policy engagement on the politics of sustainable development—driven by collaboration and committed to amplifying African voices on the global stage.
