We had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Nokuthula Mchunu from the African Open Science Platform (AOSP). She shared valuable insights on how AOSP is working to facilitate and coordinate the adoption and implementation of Open Science practices across Africa—helping to build stronger research communities and open up access to knowledge on the continent.
Watch the recording
Speaker’s profile
Dr. Nokuthula Mchunu holds the position of Deputy Director at the African Open Science Platform, which is hosted by the National Research Foundation in South Africa. With extensive expertise in academic outreach initiatives, science popularization, and the implementation of STEM activities within local communities, she previously served as a senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa in the Biotechnology Platform. Dr. Mchunu earned her doctoral degree in fungal genomics and spent over 15 years as a senior scholar in the Department of Biotechnology at Durban University of Technology.
Throughout her career, she has contributed as a scientist in various international institutions, including the University of Cincinnati (USA), Lund University (Sweden), Tianjin University (China), and the Centre for Chemical Biology (Malaysia). Dr. Mchunu holds the distinction of being the inaugural recipient of the Young Scientist Programme established between China and South Africa. Her research encompasses diverse areas such as Covid and pathogen surveillance in wastewater, fungal genetics, Cannabis, and African legume genomics.
Questions that were addressed during the session
What key initiatives or strategies has the Africa Open Science Platform employed to encourage the widespread adoption of Open Science practices, and what impact have they had on research communities in Africa?
At AOSP, we focus on capacity building, infrastructure development, and policy advocacy. We’ve launched training programs on data stewardship, created networks linking African researchers, and supported national Open Science policies. These initiatives have helped researchers feel more confident about sharing their work openly, leading to stronger collaborations and greater visibility for African science globally.
In your experience, what are some common challenges faced by African researchers when transitioning to Open Science, and how does the AOSP support them in overcoming these challenges?
Many researchers face challenges like limited infrastructure, lack of funding, and concerns over data ownership. AOSP helps by offering training workshops, creating resources to demystify Open Science, and advocating for supportive policies at institutional and national levels. We believe that providing practical support and building trust is key to a smoother transition.
Can you share examples of successful collaborations or projects facilitated by the AOSP that have significantly contributed to the advancement of Open Science in Africa?
One great example is our partnership with the South African Centre for High-Performance Computing, where we support researchers in using cloud platforms for open data sharing. We’ve also worked with UNESCO to align African Open Science frameworks with the global Open Science recommendations. These projects have boosted both skills and confidence among African researchers.
How does the Africa Open Science Platform work with various stakeholders, including governments, institutions, and individual researchers, to ensure a coordinated and unified approach in promoting Open Science practices across the continent?
We act as a bridge — bringing together governments, funders, institutions, and researchers to create shared visions for Open Science. Through policy dialogues, regional workshops, and joint projects, we help stakeholders co-create solutions that fit their unique contexts. This collective approach is essential for sustainable and meaningful change.
Ways African Researchers and Institutions Can Learn and Benefit from the AOSP Session
Understanding the Importance of Open Science for African Development
The session highlights why Open Science matters for Africa — improving collaboration, increasing research visibility, and driving local innovations. Researchers can learn how opening up their work can directly contribute to solving community challenges.
Gaining Practical Knowledge on Building Open Science Skills
Through the discussion, researchers and institutions will better understand available resources and training opportunities, such as workshops and online courses AOSP offers, helping them develop skills in data management, open access publishing, and FAIR principles.
Learning About Infrastructure and Policy Support
Institutions can learn about infrastructure solutions (like cloud computing and repositories) and how AOSP is advocating for supportive Open Science policies. This knowledge helps them plan strategically for sustainable open research practices.
Discovering Collaboration and Networking Opportunities
The session provides insights into ongoing projects and partnerships facilitated by AOSP. Researchers can find new opportunities to collaborate across countries, disciplines, and institutions, strengthening Africa’s research ecosystem.
Finding Solutions to Common Challenges
By discussing real challenges African researchers face (like lack of infrastructure or concerns over intellectual property), and how AOSP supports them, the session equips participants with practical ideas to overcome barriers they might encounter in their own Open Science journeys.
Engaging in a Pan-African Movement for Research Excellence
Finally, the session shows researchers and institutions that they are part of a larger, growing movement to make African science more open, impactful, and connected to global conversations. It inspires action at local, national, and continental levels.
Related resources
- AOSP website: https://aosp.org.za/
About the webinar series
This webinar was co-organized by UbuntuNet Alliance and Access 2 Perspectives as part of the ORCID Global Participation Program.
ORCID is the persistent identifier for researchers to share their accomplishments (research articles, data, etc with funding agencies, publishers, data repositories, and other research workflows.
AfricArXiv is a community-led digital archive for African research communication. By enhancing the visibility of African research, we enable discoverability and collaboration opportunities for African scientists on the continent as well as globally.