FIELD TRIPS

Exciting field trips can be taken prior to, and after, the conference.

Applications for field trips are open to registered delegates. If you haven’t already, register for WCSJ 2025 now and then apply.

Monday, 1 December 2025

NuMeRI: A world-first for cancer and TB drug development and clinical research

A world-first for cancer and TB drug development and clinical research – FULLY BOOKED

Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: University of Pretoria (UP)
A field trip to the University of Pretoria’s Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure, and to Moja Gabedi, a vibrant community engagement hub.

The CSIR Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre.

Bet on the biomanufacturers

Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
A field trip to the CSIR Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre.

The Department of Zoology and Entomology are leading research into the rearing, harvesting, and processing of edible insects.

Edible insects: rethinking the future of food – FULLY BOOKED

Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: University of Pretoria (UP)
A field trip to the University of Pretoria’s Department of Zoology and Entomology, and to Moja Gabedi, a vibrant community engagement hub.

The CSIR Biodegradability Testing Facility

Environmentally sustainable, alternative plastics for the win

Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
A field trip to the CSIR Biodegradability Testing Facility and the Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials.

Engineering 4.0 at the University of Pretoria

Engineering 4.0: the future of smart cities in Africa

Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: University of Pretoria (UP)
A field trip to the University of Pretoria’s Engineering 4.0 facility, and to Moja Gabedi, a vibrant community engagement hub.

A field trip to the Cradle of Humankind will shed light on the many hominid fossils unearthed in this World Heritage Site.

Palaeoanthropology, science, and interpretation in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site – FULLY BOOKED

Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: Cradle of Humankind | Maropeng
A field trip designed to provide a variety of insights into the astonishing fossil evidence which has been unearthed in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria

Pioneering animal healthcare

Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: University of Pretoria (UP)
A field trip to the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science Onderstepoort Campus, and to Moja Gabedi, a vibrant community engagement hub.

Robotics and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Field trip date: 1 December 2025
Organisation: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
The future of industrial work – A field trip to the CSIR Learning Factory and Mobile Robotics Laboratory.

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

Explore advanced radio telescopes at the SKA in the Karoo – FULLY BOOKED

Field trip date: 3 December 2025
Organisation: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
Join a site visit to the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory’s (SARAO) Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in the Karoo.

Friday, 5 December 2025

Participants going on the field trip to the Dinokeng Game Reserve will learn how drones and telemetry tracking are used against poaching.

Conservation science in action – FULLY BOOKED

Field trip date: 5 December 2025
Organisation: Dinokeng Game Reserve
This field trip is designed to provide science journalists with insights into the wide range of research initiatives taking place in the Dinokeng Game Reserve.

Skeletons of prehistoric animals outside the DITSONG National Museum of Natural History’s main entrance.

Discover the hidden treasures of the Natural History Collections

Field trip date: 5 December 2025
Organisation: DITSONG Museums of South Africa
A field trip to view original fossil material and research collections not normally accessible to the public at South Africa’s DITSONG: National Museum of Natural History.

The SANSA site boasts a wide array of TT&C ground segment capabilities and establishments for many space agencies and satellite operators.

Explore South Africa’s space history

Field trip date: 5 December 2025
Organisation: South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
A field trip to SANSA Space Operations in Hartebeesthoek to explore Africa’s oldest and most advanced ground station.

At 1.13 km across and 100 metres deep, the Tswaing Meteorite Crater features a shimmering saline lake.

Hike in the Tswaing Meteorite Crater

Field trip date: 5 December 2025
Organisation: DITSONG Museums of South Africa
A field trip to experience the awe-inspiring Tswaing Meteorite Crater, formed 220,000 years ago by a stony meteorite impact.

Producing mRNA vaccines through a centre of excellence and training

Field trip date: 5 December 2025
Organisation: Afrigen
Field trip to the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub at Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines in Cape Town.

Explore the past at the Origins Centre and the Fossil Vault at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Scientific discoveries from a Global South perspective

Field trip date: 5 December 2025
Organisation: University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
A field trip to explore Wits University’s Origins Centre, Art Museum, Digital Dome and Life Sciences Museum in Johannesburg.

South Africa’s radio astronomy journey from deep space to discovery

Field trip date: 5 December 2025
Organisation: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
A field trip to explore HartRAO, South Africa’s window to the universe, pioneering radio astronomy, space geodesy, and deep space tracking.

Discover the secrets of early humans in the world-famous Sterkfontein Caves.

Step into the world of early humans

Field trip date: 5 December 2025
Organisation: University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
A field trip to the WITS Sterkfontein Caves to discover the secrets of early humans in Johannesburg.

Monday, 8 December 2025

Discover breakthroughs in TB and biomedical research

Field trip date: 8 December 2025
Organisation: Stellenbosch University (SUN)
A field trip to Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences to see pioneering TB research and the lab where the Beta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants were first identified.

Unlock innovation with exclusive access to research hubs

Field trip date: 8 December 2025
Organisation: University of Cape Town (UCT)
A field trip to explore the University of Cape Town’s leading research hubs on an exclusive Faculty of Science tour.

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Explore innovation and discovery in the Cape winelands

Field trip date: 9 December 2025
Organisation: Stellenbosch University
A field trip to Stellenbosch University offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading scientists, explore groundbreaking research, and experience the Cape Winelands’ rich heritage.

From life-saving isotopes to cutting-edge nuclear science

Field trip date: 9 December 2025
Organisation: iThemba LABS
A field trip to NRF-iThemba LABS offers an exclusive glimpse into Africa’s only facility producing vital medical isotopes and pioneering nuclear science research.