About this session

This six‑week online short course introduces postgraduate students and early‑career researchers to the principles, practices, and ethical foundations of conducting research in, with, and alongside communities. Hosted by the Knowledge Co‑op within the Office of Postgraduate Studies and Researcher Development, the course responds to growing interest in research that is socially responsive, relational, and accountable to the communities it engages.
 

Course Structure and Format:
Duration: 6 contact weeks (June - July 2026)
Delivery: Fully online
Asynchronous weekly pre-activities and post-workshop reflections; and Synchronous weekly workshop modules (Wednesdays, 17h00 – 18h30) focusing on theory, case studies, discussion, and collaborative activities.
Reflections: Weekly written reflections to deepen learning and support a Participatory Letter of Completion.

What does Assessment look like?
Participants may successfully complete the programme with a Participatory Letter of Completion (15-20 notional hours).
This Community‑Engaged Research (CER) short course does not include examinations or graded assignments. 

Participants may complete the course with a Participation Letter of Completion. To qualify for a Participatory Letter of Completion participants must:

1. Attend at least 5 of the 6 live online workshop sessions (7.5–9 contact hours), and
2. Complete and submit weekly written reflections linked to each session, demonstrating critical engagement with the course content, personal positionality, ethical considerations, and application to their own research context.

Acknowledgement of Completion:
Participants who meet the relevant requirements will receive:

• Letter Co-signed by the UCT Knowledge Co-op Manager and the Director of Postgraduate Studies and Researcher Development (Research Office);
• Amathuba Badge (via the Amathuba learning platform)

Dates: 17 June, 24 June, 1 July, 8 July, 15 July, and 22 July 2026

For more comprehensive information about the course, access the course booklet HERE.

To register for the launch session, click Begin Registration below.

Queries can be directed to Thina Tladi at knowledgecoop.admin@uct.ac.za