SOCIETY
COMMUNICATION, AWARENESS & EDUCATION
The SAPRI Engagement Strategy is based on the fourth pillar of SAPRI – where the aim is to build capacity in marine and polar research for transformation and societal awareness.
This pillar focuses on one of the founding principles of SAPRI, which is to ensure that the investment in new infrastructures – and the utilisation of existing infrastructures – translates into the generation of science for the benefit of society.
4 Main Pillars of SAPRI
Marine and polar research coordination and logistics
Sustainability of long-term marine and polar observations
New infrastructures, innovation and engineering
Capacity building in marine and polar research for transformation and societal awareness
TRANSFORMATION
Transformation is a key driver considered in all actions of SAPRI. It is immediately evident that an urgent change needs to be made within the marine and polar research community not just in terms of diversity of scientists but from an institutional perspective.
SAPRI is committed to having a diverse staff complement and launched its Professional Development Accelerator initiative in 2023, and is establishing a mentorship programme in 2025 – initiatives to build and retain transformed skill sets. SAPRI is working to implement both top-down and bottom-up approaches to encourage and support marine and polar research in underrepresented tertiary education institutions.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME
The mentorship programme is aimed at postgraduate students and/or ECRs in polar and offshore marine research.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY
SAPRI is committed to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusivity in the marine and polar research environment.
FEATURED NEWS
Building capacity in marine research: CytoSense training in the Netherlands
Delegates from the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI), the Shallow Marine and Coastal Research Infrastructure (SMCRI), and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) attended specialised CytoSense Flow Cytometer training at CytoBuoy B.V. in...
NRF-SAEON, SAPRI and SOMISANA bring South African marine offshore and polar research to the SANSA Space Science Open Day
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Space Science Open Day brought together members of the public, scientists, researchers, and educators in Hermanus for a day of discovery, exploration and engagement with science. The South African Polar Research...
SAPRI celebrates Heritage Day with a public lecture
In celebration of Heritage Day, we collaborated with the Iziko South African Museum on its In_Herit Festival 2026: Public Lecture Series. As part of the series, our LTO-Land Research Coordinator, Abuyiselwe Nguna (fondly known as Abu), delivered a public lecture on 19...