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Watercolour painting of the Massospondylus carinatus embryos at 17% through the incubation period, 60% through the incubation period and 100% through the incubation period. Art by Mélanie Saratori.

Our research strengths

Key strengths include materials science, solid state and theoretical physics, chemical sciences, and geosciences, particularly mining geology and geophysics. The faculty also leads in areas such as ecology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, and palaeontology, supported by renowned research entities like the Evolutionary Studies Institute. This strong research culture contributes significantly to both national and global scientific advancement.

Featured news and opinion

Biodiversity in Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa has lost nearly a quarter of its biodiversity Researchers from the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences (APES) have contributed significantly to a major African-led study revealing that sub-Saharan Africa has already lost 24% of its biodiversity since pre-industrial times.
Wits launches the Earth Observatory and the African Research Centre for Ore Systems Science (CORES)
Wits launches the Earth Observatory and CORES Wits has launched two initiatives placing Africa at the heart of global earth-science innovation: the Earth Observatory and the African Research Centre for Ore Systems Science (CORES). Together, they're driving a more responsible, inclusive and sustainable minerals sector.
Shaping quantum light unlocks new possibilities for future technologies Controlling the structure of photons in space and time enables the creation of tailored quantum states for next-generation communication, sensing, and imaging.
Professor Mary Scholes
Wits and Sappi renew climate change Chair Professor Mary Scholes leads Chair that focuses on forestry research to boost forest resilience to the impacts of climate change. The renewed chair builds on a successful 2023–2025 cycle that provided positive results in supporting forestry resilience.
Cobalt mining in the DRC | Curiosity 19: #Disruption ? /curiosity/
You want to save the planet? Change the way you think As the just energy transition gathers pace, dousing the flames of hydrocarbon-fuelled climate change, one thing is clear – we are entering an age of mass disruption, calling for a radical re-evaluation of how economies are organised.
Biodiversity, pollution, agriculture, industry
The African Data Drive The Future Ecosystems for Africa Programme (FEFA) at Wits, in partnership with Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, has launched the African Data Drive (ADD), an interactive tool designed to enable sustainable development across Africa through robust data integration and innovative spatial planning.

Conversations in Science

The Conversations in Science series is aimed at getting to know the scientist behind the science.

In this episode, Professor Nithaya Chetty, Dean of Science, speaks with Professor Heidi Richards about the resilience and mentorship that shaped her career. Today, she is committed to guiding and supporting her own students, especially women in science. This inspiring conversation highlights the power of family, mentorship, and paying it forward in academia.

Professor Nithaya Chetty talks with Professor Andrew Forbes about his pioneering work in photonics, optics, and structured light. The conversation explores the value of international collaboration, the challenges of shifting research funding, and the collaborative spirit that drives scientific discovery at Wits University.

Professor Chetty speaks with Dr Job Kibii about his journey to becoming head of the world-renowned Sterkfontein Caves. A palaeoanthropologist with extensive experience in human origins research, Dr Kibii reflects on his career path, his passion for uncovering our shared evolutionary history, and the responsibility of managing an important heritage site.

The second episode of Conversations in Science featured ecologist Professor Sally Archibald, an NRF A-rated researcher whose research primarily focuses on savanna ecosystems within the context of global climate change, as well as the exploration of fire ecology and earth-system feedbacks.

In our very first episode of Conversation in Science, Professor Nithaya Chetty, Dean of Science at Wits University, interviewed Prof. Fazal Mahomed, a world-leading researcher in algebraic and geometric methods of differential equations.