Home | Neuroscience Institute

Our vision

Our vision is of an Africa where people achieve their full potential through brain health.

By addressing existing knowledge gaps and strengthening African research networks, we seek solutions to African challenges and work to ensure that African priorities are represented in global neuroscience.

Training and capacity development

We strive to build research capacity nationally and internationally, and grow the next generation of neuroscience researchers on both the clinical and basic neuroscience career tracks.

Master of Neuroscience Applications for 2026 now CLOSED!!

We look forward to welcoming students from diverse academic disciplines for this new Master's course, which prioritizes interdisciplinarity!

Advocacy and engagement

We follow a socially-responsive approach, using advocacy, engagement and outreach to extend our impact to and beyond the scientific community, to industry, government and society more broadly.

How a shared approach in Cape Town helps high-risk babies

Article published in Spotlight: Waiting is not an option in the first 1000 days

Dr Kirsty Donald, deputy director of the Neuroscience Institute, speaks about the lack of accurate prevalence data for Cerebral Palsy in South Africa in this recent article published in Spotlight.

Finding Focus and Community: A look back at the benefits of a writing retreat

The UCT ALMA/DELTAS Mont Fleur Writing Retreat 18- 20th August 2025, an example creating an effective space for research conviviality and writing.

UCT to host first-ever THE World Academic Summit in Africa

The University of Cape Town has been announced as host for the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit 2026 from 29 September to 1 October.

Leading the global conversation on AI safety

NI member, Prof Jonathan Shock, head of UCT's AI Initiative hosts launch of African Hub for AI Safety, Peace and security

Society for Neuroscience (SFN) meeting 2025

Each year, scientists from around the world congregate to discover new ideas, share their research, and experience the best the field has to offer. Attend so you can: present research, network with scientists, and attend session and events.

15 November 2025 - 19 November 2025 Read more

Xhosa Classes for all levels

learning to speak Xhosa in community.

12 March 2024 - 12 November 2026 Read more

The Basics of the Commandline and High Performance Systems workshop

A 1-hour online workshop run every 2nd friday (9-10am) that will be useful for those using Neuroimaging software such as FreeSurfer and AFNI.

15 March 2024 - 6 November 2026 Read more

PsychoPy/Unreal Engine workshop

A 1-hour online workshop run every 2nd friday (10-11am) that will be useful for those using PsychoPy and Unreal Engine to create and modify fMRI, EEG, fNIRS, and/or Cognitive or Behavioral tasks.