Key to acting as a dynamic broker in knowledge production and policy action are the opportunities offered to scholars to meet and discuss ideas, present findings, network and form collaborations. In the 2021/22 financial year, Cluster Project leaders were expected to host at least nine workshops, seminars and conferences and succeeded in hosting 12. Whether held in person or virtually, these academic events were well attended, bringing together experts from most – and sometimes all – the BRIC...

Project leader: Prof Modimowabarwa Kanyane, University of Venda Across the world, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are important economic drivers in several significant economies, contributing to gross domestic product and delivering many social goods and services to ensure a better quality of life for all. That said, many SOEs experience governance failures, hampering their ability to fulfil their developmental mandates. In April and July 2021, Prof Modimowabarwa Kanyane and the team condu...

Project leader: Mr Krish Chetty, Human Sciences Research Council This project was a city-level comparison of China and South Africa, building on its previous contributions that have studied the impact cities are making in addressing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change commitments needed to respond to climate change. The project provides an in-depth analysis of urban policies and local government action in four case study cities in South Africa and China: Cape Town,...

Research done under the banner of BRICS Cluster Projects has very clear and precise aims: to produce policy-relevant research in the BRICS domain. This means such research should, ultimately, inform the policy recommendations that emanate from the BRICS Think Tank Council and should focus on the Council’s long-term research strategy. This strategy comprises five pillars, which are cooperation for growth and development; political and economic governance; social justice, sustainable developme...