The South African Research Chair in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development convenes major conferences, symposia and training programmes, while actively contributing to international scholarly and policy dialogue on intellectual property, innovation and development.
These activities bring together academics, policymakers, practitioners and emerging researchers from South Africa, across Africa and globally, and reflect the Chair’s role in shaping intellectual property scholarship, policy development and capacity building in Africa and the Global South.
Key Activities
WIPO Summer School on Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
An intensive programme delivered in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), providing advanced training in intellectual property and technology transfer for students and early-career professionals.
Emerging Researchers Symposium
A flagship symposium supporting early-career scholars from across Africa, fostering high-quality research, mentorship and publication pathways in intellectual property, innovation and development.
IP Scholars Africa Conference
A major convening platform (including collaboration with WIPO and the WTO) bringing together leading scholars and practitioners to engage on continental and global issues in intellectual property law and policy.
3rd Annual Conference of the South African Association of IP Law and IT Law Teachers and Researchers (AIPLITL)
The conference, hosted in the inaugural year of the Chair, brought together researchers, teachers and practitioners from Africa and other continents to share insights and research into various aspects of the conference theme: "The IP and IT Law Innovation Interface".
Global Engagement & Thought Leadership
In addition to hosting major programmes, the Chair and its researchers contribute actively to international scholarly and policy engagements through keynote addresses, plenary participation, expert panels and advisory roles.
From its inception in 2019, the Chair has been engaged in high-level international and regional intellectual property dialogue, including participation in World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) conferences, advisory discussions and academic platforms across Africa and globally. These early engagements established the Chair’s presence within international intellectual property and development networks and positioned its research at the intersection of intellectual property, innovation and sustainable development.
Building on this foundation, the Chair continues to engage across leading global platforms, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), African Union and AfCFTA processes, as well as major academic networks and conferences. Through this work, the Chair contributes to shaping intellectual property law and policy in areas including trade, technology, public health, artificial intelligence, data governance and sustainable development.
These engagements reflect the Chair’s sustained involvement in international norm-shaping processes and policy-relevant research at the intersection of intellectual property and development.
Selected Engagements
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) conferences, expert meetings, committees and global dialogues
• WTO–WIPO–WHO trilateral processes on intellectual property, health and innovation
• African Union and AfCFTA advisory platforms, policy forums and implementation engagements
• ATRIP (International Association for the Advancement of Teaching and Research in IP) conferences and leadership activities
• European Policy for Intellectual Property (EPIP) Conference and related global forums
• International conferences on artificial intelligence, data governance and digital transformation
• Global policy dialogues on geographical indications, climate innovation and sustainable development
Further detail on these engagements is available in our newsletters and event reports (see News & Views).
Training & Capacity Development
Capacity development is central to the Chair’s mission. Through programmes such as the WIPO Summer School, postgraduate training, research symposia and targeted workshops, the Chair supports the development of scholars, policymakers and practitioners working at the intersection of intellectual property, innovation and development.
These activities combine theoretical and applied approaches, equipping participants to engage with contemporary challenges including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, public health, trade and sustainable development. These programmes form part of the Chair’s broader contribution to developing intellectual property expertise and research capacity across Africa.