Stellenbosch University (SU) is a co-sponsor of a new online magazine that reports on scientific research and issues of science policy across the African continent. Nature Africa has been launched by Springer Nature and will cover the highest impact research taking place across the continent and communicate this to scientists and decision-makers in and outside Africa.
Alongside news stories and research highlights, Nature Africa will also publish feature articles, opinion pieces and commentaries. The languages of publication are English and French.
The online magazine will draw attention to African research that drives growth and development across the continent. However, it is not a peer-reviewed journal and will not consider primary research articles for publication.
As a vibrant destination for researchers of all career levels across disciplines, Nature Africa will promote research discourse and enable the discussion of scientific achievements by providing a place where ideas can be celebrated, challenged, critiqued and built on.
A diverse range of articles will be written by journalists and researchers, and topics relevant for Africa will be covered alongside broader issues.
SU is one of a consortium of partners who financially support the magazine, alongside the universities of Cape Town (UCT), Johannesburg (UJ), Pretoria (UP), the Witwatersrand (Wits), and KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Prof Hester Klopper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy and Internationalisation at SU, said the University is proud to be part of the establishment of Nature Africa. “Stellenbosch University's vision is to be a leading research-intensive higher education institution on the African continent. And this collaboration aligns with that vision. We look forward to see how Nature Africa casts a spotlight on the cutting-edge research that our continent produces."
Akinlabi Kazeem Jimoh, Chief Editor of Nature Africa, said: “Our goal for Nature Africa is to shine a light on science in Africa and the scientists contributing to solving local and global problems whilst promoting scientific exchange across the continent. We hope to tell and be part of the African growth story which often does not receive the attention it deserves."
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief of Nature, added: “I am delighted that through the launch of Nature Africa, we can help highlight, and put into context, the most important research from and relevant for the African continent. We hope that this new platform will be a valuable resource for researchers in Africa and abroad, and we welcome your feedback and suggestions for its improvement."
