University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers have swept a series of national and international fellowships in 2026, recognising years of innovation and impact across diverse fields.
Royal Society of South Africa honours five UCT scholars
On 24 October 2026, five UCT researchers were elected as Fellows of the Royal Society of South Africa:
- Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela (Public Health)
- Associate Professor Susan Cunningham (FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology)
- Professor Graeme Meintjes (Department of Medicine)
- Professor Sharon Prince (Department of Human Biology)
- Professor Mark Solms (Department of Psychology)
Expanding global recognition
The Royal Society of South Africa recognition builds on a series of major international distinctions conferred on UCT faculty throughout 2026:
- Royal Academy of Engineering: Emerita Professor Sue Harrison was named a Fellow on 24 September, recognising three decades of pioneering work in bioprocess engineering.
- US National Academy of Sciences: Emerita Professor Val Mizrahi was elected for her outstanding contributions to tuberculosis research, joining UCT colleague Professor Kelly Chibale (elected in 2025).
- Double Distinction in Chemistry: Professor Kelly Chibale earned an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Society of Chemistry — its highest honor — alongside an honorary doctorate in Biotechnology, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences from the University of Bologna on 23 September.
Excellence driven by collective purpose
Reflecting on these achievements, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela noted that while individual academics receive the accolades, high-impact research relies on a collective effort.
"Academic distinction is rarely the product of individual effort alone," Professor Moshabela said. "It is nurtured through research teams, students, collaborators, and institutional support. Recognition may be conferred on individuals, but the conditions that make excellence possible are collective."
He added that these achievements reinforce UCT's commitment to purposeful, African-led research that addresses societal challenges and advances knowledge on the global stage.
