Research project on Experts in Developing Democracies
A series of interviews with key actors of international development cooperation will be conducted on the week of the 7th of May in Dar es Salaam by Prof Johann Mouton (Director of CREST) and Mr Rein Treptow (researcher at CREST). Interviews will be conducted with the top local researchers, representatives from leading donor foundations and other prominent experts in the fields of biodiversity, health and education.
Bibliometric profiles of international research collaboration
CREST was contracted by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) to compile bibliometric profiles of research collaboration between South Africa and a number of foreign countries. The task includes the update of existing bibliometric profiles produced under a previous contract, e.g. collaboration between South Africa and Brazil, and between South Africa and France. The project also involves the identification of foreign countries that can be considered as leaders in domains/sub-domains/focus areas corresponding to the DST's key S&T priorities.
Assessment of the Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme (IPDFP) of the NRF
CREST was commissioned by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to conduct an impact assessment study on the contribution of the Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme (IPDFP) to the development of a new generation of scientists for the South African National System of Innovation. The study covers the period 2005 to 2010 and involves a mixed-method design. The latter includes the development of a comprehensive database of postdoctoral fellows at South African universities, the analysis of curricula vitae of postdoctoral fellows, a web-based tracer study of such fellows, in-depth interviews with postdoctoral fellows, and a bibliometric study of their article output.
Bibliometric approaches for analysing the brain drain of scientists
CREST was contracted by the Fraunhofer ISI in Germany to provide support in the execution of an appropriate bibliometric search strategy for determining the emigration of scientists from South Africa. The bibliometric component will be supplemented by a web-based survey of identified emigrants, to determine the correctness of the bibliometric approach and also to obtain insight in the factors and conditions concerning their exit as well as their current professional status.
First intake: MPhil in Monitoring and Evaluation at Stellenbosch University
CREST welcomed a group of 15 students for the first intake of MPhil in M&E in 2012. Students are mainly from South Africa and Zimbabwe, and one is from Ireland. Six students are graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in M&E, which is also offered by CREST. All of the students are full-time employees who are doing the course on a part-time basis.
During this year, students will visit Stellenbosch six times for academic contact sessions in order to complete the coursework component of the programme. The programme is then concluded by a 30% research assignment.
This MPhil in M&E is unique in its dedicated focus on the theory, methodology and practice of monitoring and evaluation.
