Dr Temba Masilela Executive director

The Policy Analysis and Capacity Enhancement (PACE) programme performs a brokerage role between policy research and evidence-informed policy making and our agenda responds to the social policy priorities of our country and continent. PACE consists of four cross-cutting units in the HSRC: the Policy Analysis Unit, the Gender and Development Unit, the Capacity Development Unit and the Centre for Africa's Social Progress.

Our focus

The Policy Analysis Unit, which is funded by the national Department of Science and Technology, facilitates the generation of policy recommendations based on research evidence and policy dialogues. It focuses on five national social policy priority areas, namely quality education, employment, poverty reduction, service delivery, and HIV and AIDS; and it works with a range of partners to enhance the implementation and evaluation of social policy.

The Gender and Development Unit is responsible for advancing the conceptual and

Prof Thobeka Mda Deputy executive director

The Capacity Development Unit is responsible for implementing HSRC-wide capacity development programmes for staff, researcher trainees (MA and PhD interns), and post-doctoral fellows. It is also responsible for strengthening research collaborations and exchange programmes with appropriate organisations in South Africa and on the rest of the African continent.

The Centre for Africa's Social Progress is shaping an alternative framework for African development, emphasising the fact that economic development and social progress complement each other. It's aim is to enhance social solidarity and promote African unity through rigorous research and dialogue on social progress and to build a critical mass of  African scholars, and policy-makers who can contribute to social progress in the continent.