Catalytic Research Projects and Humanities Hubs refer to a primarily research-based programme, which aims to catalyse and open up new avenues for HSS scholarship, and to assist in and promote the development of research in the HSS. This is to be undertaken through the establishment of a network of researchers across the university system in South Africa. Such networks may also include researchers and collaborations beyond the borders of South Africa.
The aim is to sustain activities that support the following:
- Coherent collaborative research programmes that involve a network of researchers in study areas that have been approved;
- Research to design a coherent, collaborative research programme where there is some existing knowledge base and expertise to draw on but which needs to be tabled for approval to become as above;
- Proposals to engage in research in largely unexplored areas; and
- Thematic annual events aimed at broader public participation in, and promotion of, the HSS as a vital part of public culture.
| Catalytic Projects | Project Leader(s) Identified | Institution |
| Lineages of Freedom - Academic Programme | Prof. Fred Hendricks | South African Humanities Dean Association |
| Lineages of Freedom - Cultural Programme | Prof. D Brown | University of Western Cape |
| Lineages of Freedom | Prof Fred Hendricks | Rhodes University |
| Strengthening Professional Associations | Prof. Tina Uys | University of Johannesburg |
| Pre-1652 Historiography | Prof. Lungisile Ntsebeza | University of Cape Town |
| Heritage Hubs - from Heritage Sites to Knowledge Hubs | Dr Mcebisi Ndletyana | Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection |
| Heritage Hubs -Migrant Labour Museum and Knowledge Centre | Prof Mcedisi Somniso | University of Fort Hare |
| Traditions of Popular Education in South Africa | Prof. Shirley Walters | University of Western Cape |
| Traditions of Popular Education in South Africa: Workplace and Distant Education | Prof. Velile Notshulwana and Prof. Rosemary Moeketsi | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and University of South Africa |
| Indigenous Languages and Humanities Concept Formation | Prof. Russell Kaschula and Dr Pamela Maseko | Rhodes University |
| Sources of Creativity | Dr Sazi Dlamini | University of KwaZuluNatal |
| Sources of Creativity - Design South Africa | Dr K Netshiombo and Dr Elmarie Costandius | Durban University of Technology and Stellenbosch University |
| Sources of Creativity - Formation of a Composers' Ensemble | Prof. Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph and Dr Cameron Harris | Witwatersrand University |
| Hidden Voices - Unpublished Work, 1950 - 1990 | Prof. Edward Webster and Dr Irma du Plessis | Chris Hani Institute and University of Pretoria |
| Hidden Voices - The Art and Music | Prof Premesh Lalu | University of Western Cape |
| Alternatives B - Socio-Economic Alternatives ThinkTank | Prof. Karl von Holdt and Seeraj Mahomed | Witwatersrand University |
| Post-Conflict Reconstruction | Prof. Pumla Gobodo Madikizela | University of Free State |