Research Groups
The IFK focuses on five themes, each championed by a Research Group, which drives topical research and organises relevant events.
Data Science Across Disciplines
Head: Professor Charis Harley
The purpose of the research group, Data Science Across Disciplines, is to support the educational and intellectual growth of the field of Data Science in the region, and further afield. The Group takes an interdisciplinary approach to both the application of data science and the sense-making theoretical frameworks that shape its development. At the University of Johannesburg, the Group aims to develop much needed, specialist educational programmes at postgraduate level, to support not only student skills development but the upskilling of current professionals in the field. Through cutting edge research, product development, and close collaboration with industry partners and professionals DSAD drives innovation in Data Science to support UJ as the driver of the 4IR.
The Future of
Health
The Future of Health Research Group takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding humanity’s efforts to improve health and deal with sickness, in the conviction that gaining perspective will improve future medical and public health efforts. The Group’s broad mandate includes philosophical, sociological, anthropological, and other disciplinary approaches, and covers clinical medicine, public health, epidemiology, biomedical research, and other health knowledges. The group researches existing medical crises and the management thereof, in order to examine and critique the potential medical techniques and strategies of the future. This group contributes towards the attainment of the UN’s SDG 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.
Green
Futures
Green Futures seeks to positively understand, appreciate and harness earth’s plant life and the socio-ecosystems they interact with for the betterment of humanity and nature. The Group draws on a range of disciplines, not limited to science, and has a strong grounding in sociology, history and policy. At the core of the group research on the generation of green energy, renewable energy, and energy storage. The later, energy storage, can play a pivotal role on decarbonisation. The group is also championing hydropolitics (water politics) in the region. The group contributes to the UN’s SDG 7: “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; and SDG 6: “Clean water and sanitation for all”.
The Future of Diplomacy
Head: Dr Oluwaseun Tella
The Future of Diplomacy research group seeks to promote the understanding of diplomacy, negotiation and statecraft in contemporary international politics. The group aims to support research in modern diplomatic practice by redefining diplomacy in contemporary and futuristic contexts in an increasingly complex and globalised world.
Decentralised Artificial Intelligence and Control Systems
Machine learning is altering how we understand the world. The Metaphysics and Machines Research Group explores these implications of machine learning, including how ML changes or deviates from traditional scientific methodologies, whether ML can help develop new or alternative conceptual frameworks, and what ML can tell us about the relationship between prediction, explanation and causation.
Blockchain and the Cryptoverse
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Work of the Future
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