The research group has these collaborative links:
- UCL Institute of Education, UK (Elaine Unterhalter, Tristan McCowan)
- University of Oxford, UK, Department of Education (David Mills); Laudato Si Research Institute (Severine Deneulin)
- Department of Development Studies, Technical University of Valencia, Spain (Professor Alejandra Boni-Aristizabal)
- University of Minnesota, USA, Faculty of Education (Joan de Jaeghere)
- Lancaster University, UK (Melis Cin, Tineke Brunfaut)
- University of Glasgow (Patience Mukwambo)
- University of Malawi, Department of Education and Professional Development (Chikumbutso Manthalu, Tiffany Banda)
- Midlands State University, Department of Applied Education (Eric Nyonie, Tendayi Marovah)
- University of Zambia, School of Education (Kapambwe Mwelwa)
- Chreso University Zambia, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Charles Michelo)
Research Alliance for Higher Education in Africa (RAHEdA)
The University of the Free State (UFS) is making strides in advancing equitable higher education research in Africa. Partnering with the University of Malawi, the University of Zambia, Chreso University (Zambia) and Midlands State University (Zimbabwe), the UFS initiated the Research Alliance for Higher Education in Africa (RAHEdA), a dynamic initiative aimed at enhancing research capacity and partnerships within Sub-Saharan Africa. The Alliance hopes to expand to additional countries in the region over the next few years. RAHEdA’s vision is to amplify the region's contributions to higher education research, ensuring they gain international recognition. In 2025 we launched the RAHEdA webinar series: Year 1 focused on ‘Profiling African Scholarship’; Year 2 focuses on ‘Advancing African Scholarship’; Year 3 on ‘Celebrating African Scholarship’. Plans for 2026 include launching the RAHEdA annual prestigious lecture, and submitting an edited book for publication.