- Workshop Dates: 14 September – 20 September 2025
- Venue: Wits Rural Facility, Orpen Road, Acornhoek, 1280, Mpumalanga
- What is covered: Transport, Meals, Accommodation, Wi-Fi and Venue
What you will achieve: writing skills training, developing research questions, developing research methodology, writing time and supervision.
Suitable candidates: All registered Ph.D students regardless of the research stage. Proof of registration is required
Closing date for applications: 30 May 2025, 17H00 SAST
The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (www.capsi.co.za) at Wits Business School (www.wbs.ac.za) is inviting applications from registered Ph.D students for a Ph.D writing and research methodology workshop to be held on 14 September 2025 – 20 September 2025 at Wits Rural Facility, Acornhoek Mpumalanga.
This workshop is ideal for students who require coaching with framing and submitting successful proposals, as well as candidates who are seeking guidance from seasoned academic supervisors in developing their thesis.
Priority will be given to registered Ph.D students in any of the following disciplines: Humanities (history, languages, literature, and philosophy), Social Sciences (Anthropology, education, geography, law, political science, psychology, sociology, development and international relations), and Business (Accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing), especially those working on:
- non-profits
- philanthropy and social investments
- Civil society
- Social enterprises
- Non-profit sectors contribution to African economies
- technology and philanthropy
- And any other cognate areas
The retreat’s objectives are aimed at improving academic writing and specifically at:
- Developing research problem statement, objectives, and questions
- Conducting literature reviews
- Developing conceptual framework
- Developing the research methodology – quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method
- Research ethics issues
- Data collection, analysis, and presentation (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method)
- Writing for academic publishing
- Academic Project management
Successful applicants will be expected to make presentations on their research projects during the workshop.
To apply, please submit the following documents to Joseph Sobuthongo (joseph.sobuthongo@wits.ac.za ):
- A motivation letter indicating how this workshop will be beneficial to you.
- Proof of registration
- Letter of support from your supervisor
- Your current research proposal/ draft thesis
Successful applicants should prepare to be away in Mpumalanga for the whole week beginning 14 September 2025. They must be available and able to participate throughout the workshop.
CAPSI will cover expenses including accommodation, food, and transport from WBS Campus in Parktown, Johannesburg to Mpumalanga (Wits Rural Campus).
Enquiries: joseph.sobuthongo@wits.ac.za
Notes and T&C:
- You will need to arrange your own transport to the Wits Business School in Johannesburg to access transportation that will take you to the Wits Rural Facility in Mpumalanga.
- First time applicants will be prioritized.
- The PhD Methodology and Writing Retreat will only accept 30 PhD applications on a first come first serve basis in addition to the quality of the application.