Ms Nosisa Dube

I am a Director at the National Research Foundation with 21 years’ experience in the research and innovation sector – 14 in the management of research assessment practices, and seven in scientific research.

I currently specialise in the management of peer review processes for transboundary multilateral calls shared between the NRF, global funders and multisectoral communities.

Ahead of joining the NRF, I worked as a researcher at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. I have two Master’s degrees, and my developing passion is on the evidence research assessment reform. I have recently produced a concept note to develop a research assessment framework for the NRF with the aim of expanding the framework to a national level.

Over the years, I have gained considerable knowledge in change management, research assessment practices, project management, performance evaluation and leadership at both strategic and operational levels. In 2016, I was invited to join the working group that developed the NRF Strategy 2025.

I currently hold a position as the Deputy Chairperson of the Research on Research Institute (RoRI) Consortium Global Observatory on Responsible Research Assessment (AGORRA) project. The goal of the AGORRA project is to generate comparative data, evidence and analysis to support and accelerate the evidence of research assessment reform/transformation across national assessment systems. I am an observer in the Research on Research Institute consortium board (comprising 17 partners from multiple sectors).

I am also a member of the Global Research Council’s Responsible Research Assessment (GRC RRA) Committee, promoting Responsible Research Assessment at national, regional and international platforms and engaging transnational stakeholders at various levels. Within the group, I am the co-lead of the Task and Finish Group 1. I represent the NRF and the sub-Saharan Africa Region in the GRC RRA Working Group. I have significantly contributed to the development of the soon-to-be-published 11 Responsible Research Assessment Dimensions.

I am also a member of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment Discussion Group – providing insights on how the NRF implements the DORA principles. I play a significant role as a member of the NRF Impact Advancement Committee in translating the implementation of the impact framework into peer review practices. 

I was recently invited to join the Namibian National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) to pilot the NRF Rating System for public universities in Namibia. A small working committee consisting of the two public universities, the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), as well as the NCRST, the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI), NRF and the South Africa Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), was formed on 05 June 2024.

What inspired you to become the leader that you are today?

• Motivation 1: My education was funded by NSI. In 1997, I completed my Bachelor of Science degree at Rhodes University; in 1998 an Honours degree in Neuroscience; and in 2002 my first Master’s degree in Biotechnology. All three degrees were also completed at Rhodes University and were funded by NSFAS and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst/German Academic Exchange Service (NRF/DAAD) postgraduate funding opportunity. Towards the completion of my Master’s, I got married in 2001 and graduated in April 2002. In June 2002, nine months my wedding, I gave birth to my firstborn daughter. This means the Master’s thesis was written during my first pregnancy. The moral of the story: make sure to write a thesis during pregnancy to take advantage of the two brains! My NMDP syndicate group won an award for being the top syndicate group.
• Motivation 2: I have occupied three positions since I joined the organisation in 2010 as a Professional Officer, then Project Leader and now a Director. The NRF leadership has believed in me and deemed me promotable, constantly providing opportunities for growth. That’s inspiring!

The NRF has an important role to fulfil in South Africa. At the NRF, we believe that knowledge and research should improve the quality of life of South Africans for a better society. Our purpose of existence as an organisation is that we should facilitate the contribution of knowledge and research to national development. What better way is there to do this than to support the capacity development of the citizens of the republic to strengthen our workforce? I am a product of this powerful mandate.

• Motivation 3: Good mentorship and stakeholder relations. Most importantly, leadership advocacy and support. In addition, the NRF offers an executive coaching programme to develop organisational leadership. In my experience, the programme has enhanced my self-actualisation and promises to be quite instrumental for my career growth.
• Motivation 4: My faith in God.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?

Your authentic self is your best power. Believe in yourself and keep showing up against the odds.