Opportunities

The South African Communication Association (SACOMM) invites submissions for its 2025 conference, which will be themed Currents: People, Power, and Practice.

In 2026, the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) will mark its 30th anniversary. This milestone provides a timely opportunity to critically examine the organisation’s contribution to South Africa’s media landscape, its role in shaping sociocultural and sociopolitical discourse, and its impact on journalistic practices in the country. This edited volume seeks to bring together diverse perspectives from academics, journalists, media practitioners, legal experts, historians, political scientists, civil society activists and cultural commentators to reflect on SANEF’s journey over the past 30 years.

The SARCHi SA-UK Bilateral Chair in the Digital Humanities, with a focus on Digital Media Sociology, based in the Centre for Film and Media Studies at the University of Cape Town, seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to contribute to interdisciplinary research projects that leverage digital tools and methodologies to advance humanities scholarship.

The International Journal of Critical Diversity Studies, based out of the Wits Centre for Diversity Studies, is seeking two new editorial board members from South or Southern Africa. The journal is a bi-annual, fully open-access journal published by Pluto and accredited by the DHET for subsidy purposes. Rooted in an interdisciplinary approach, the journal engages with fields such as sociology, education, cultural and media studies, anthropology and political studies.

The SACOMM Emerging Scholar Stream is building a network of emerging scholars across South African institutions. As part of this initiative, they are compiling a comprehensive database to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.

The Centre for Information Integrity in Africa (CIIA) at Stellenbosch University is offering a postdoctoral fellowship, available to start immediately. This opportunity is ideal for researchers interested in exploring critical issues related to information integrity across the continent.

Digital platforms have transformed how public sector institutions communicate with stakeholders. Governments increasingly use social media, e-government services, and AI-driven tools to enhance transparency, service delivery and citizen engagement. At the same time, stakeholders – citizens, businesses, and organisations – leverage these platforms for interaction and participation in governance. Scholars are invited to contribute book chapters that critically examine the effectiveness, challenges and impact of digital communication in the public sector.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), in partnership with Standard Bank, invites you to submit your best work from January 1 to December 31, 2024, for the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards. Take time now to review your 2024 stories, photos, and reports with colleagues and editors to help you submit your strongest work. 

The 2025 Oxford Media Policy Summer Institute on 28 July – 8 August 2025 at Jesus College, Oxford comes at a critical moment.  Today’s international system faces unprecedented challenges including fragmentation and new modes of ordering with significant implications for media and communications technologies.  The future of media development is uncertain, fact-checking and content moderation efforts are being undermined and inequalities are deepening. This two-week programme will bring together experts, policymakers and researchers from around the world, including a strong emphasis on perspectives from the Global South to debate urgent issues in media policy.

The media industry is a dynamic and influential field that plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and discourse. However, women continue to face challenges in accessing leadership roles and opportunities within this sector. This seminar aims to empower aspiring early-career women media professionals by connecting them with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, support and inspiration. Central to this initiative is identifying young women with a passion for leading within news media contexts and fostering a strong sense of ambition and self-belief so that as they grow in their careers, they do so with the skills, confidence, and network necessary to assume leadership positions.