By Xolani Dlamini (Digital Publisher)
As we reflect on the year 2021, indeed, there have been many great challenges but equally, we have had some opportunities and monumental breakthroughs, particularly in science. This is reflected in many of our initiatives and research works that we embarked on as CAPSI. In line with the Centre’s mandate, a number of research studies were commissioned by the Centre across the African continent focusing on various research themes These studies have produced a number of research outputs in various publication formats.
We would also like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to all our Research Associates who have actively carried forward the Centre’s mission to bridge the gap in the study, research and practice of philanthropy and social investment in Africa. As part of several studies commissioned by the Centre, we started a section called the Research Article Series which includes articles published independently by CAPSI as part of the efforts to increase our scholarly research outputs. One of the recently published articles was written by our Associate Researcher Dr Asabea Shirley Ahwireng-Obeng and Wits Business School’s Professor Emeritus- Frederick Ahwireng-Obeng. This paper examines the simultaneous impact of private philanthropic cross-border funding from international foundations on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in Africa.
The inaugural issue of the International Review of Philanthropy and Social Investment journal received positive feedback from scholars and practitioners in the field. To deepen the learning from the articles in the journal, we hosted a series of webinars where authors delved deeper into their findings and recommendations. The journal is working on two special issues exploring High Net-Worth Individuals and Philanthropic foundations. These will be published in the first quarter of 2022. It is important to note that we have adopted a continuous publishing model – this means that as soon as an article is prepared it is released online, creating a rapid flow of topical, quality articles.
In response to perceived challenges faced by researchers looking to publish their research in academic journals, we started an initiative to assist and facilitate young researchers through a developmental approach to understand various requirements for academic publication. We hosted the first virtual workshop in June 2021 that was well received by our international community. In 2022, we will host three workshops giving expert advice on a broad range of publishing topics.
We would like to extend an invitation to all players in the sector to join us in partnership in the pursuit of our mission to bridge the gap in the study, research and practice of philanthropy and social investment in Africa.
Looking ahead…
Looking back and forward as a member of the international editorial board and reviewer during the Journal’s first year, is both challenging and encouraging. Challenges have been putting together the systems needed to ensure professional standards are the norm as well as respecting authors’ expectations of timely and fair treatment. Encouraging is progress in establishing the Journal as a resource to advance philanthropy and social investment which emanates from a less than usual home for academic publications in this field. Also encouraging is the way in which the Journal is positively interfacing with the research and teaching programmes of the Centre for African Philanthropy and Social Investment, particularly for the new generation of scholars as well as practitioners. For the latter, Field Notes are an opportunity to share experiences, which add practical knowledge to the more empirical academic work. While we can say ‘so far so good’, there is a long road ahead to become the Journal of choice for those dedicated to philanthropy and social investment anywhere in the world.
Professor Alan Fowler
We would like to express our appreciation to our funders, researchers, reviewers and last but not least our audience and partners for their continued support.
