Prof Reddy, who is a member of the Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAf) and a B1 NRF-rated scientist, said he is honoured to be elected as chairperson of one of Africa’s leading scholarly publisher. “It is an honour to chair the HSRC Press Editorial Board – a flagship platform that champions rigorous, transformative scholarship rooted in Africa. To be entrusted with the leadership of the HSRC Press Editorial Board is both a personal honour and a profound professional responsibility,” states Prof Reddy.
For Prof Reddy, the HSRC Press “signals a commitment to stewarding a space where rigorous scholarship meets transformative impact, and where African scholarship is propelled into global relevance”.
HSRC Press deliberates on new publishing book proposals (and accepts or rejects these and recommends reviewers), and on new manuscripts that have been peer-reviewed (and accepts, rejects or conditionally accepts these for publication). The board meets four times a year, both face-to-face and online. HSRC Press operates with clear accountability structures while maintaining editorial independence. Prof Reddy says that the HSRC Press “is not merely a publishing house — it is a catalyst for research that shapes policy, informs practice, and deepens public understanding across the continent”.
Uphold the highest standards of editorial integrity
According to the HSRC website, the Press’s integration within the Research Impact Division ensures that publishing activities directly support the organisation’s mission of producing research that informs policy, practice, and public understanding across South Africa and the broader African continent. HSRC Press stands as Africa’s premier scholarly publisher, established as a specialised unit in the HSRC. Founded with the mission to amplify innovative, research-based scholarship, HSRC Press focuses on works originating from South Africa, the broader African continent, and the global South.
Being elected Chairperson, Prof Reddy continues, is also a call to uphold the highest standards of editorial integrity while fostering a publishing culture that is inclusive, bold, and reflective of the diverse epistemologies emerging from Africa and the global South. According to him, “it is about nurturing scholarship that is both locally grounded and globally resonant”.
Prof Reddy says he is looking forward to using this position with a prestigious board membership to elevate scholarship that engages critically with contemporary challenges and contributes meaningfully to the public discourse.