About us

The South African Research Chair: Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development is part of the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) established by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation. It was awarded at tier 2 under the call for Research Chairs in National Development Plan Priority Areas (2018). The current and inaugural holder of the Chair is Professor Caroline Ncube. The chair's first 5-year cycle ran from 2019 - 2023. Its second term, upgraded to tier 1, runs from 2024 -2028. 

Research focus and aims

The Chair's research on Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development aligns with South Africa's National Development Plan 2030, focusing on promoting innovation, economic growth, and building state capability. Professor Caroline Ncube leads a team of researchers in these areas to address priorities of employment, education, and innovation.

Teaching and research supervision

Future research students' work will expand and create new pathways beyond completed dissertations and  theses.  In addition to research supervision, the Chair will continue to participate in teaching in the Faculty of Law at UCT, primarily in the LLM in Intellectual Property.