JIAS - A Home of Ideas
Nestled in the heart of Johannesburg, the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study is a Global South hub for experimental, groundbreaking, transdisciplinary inquiry and creative practice informed by a commitment to theoretical innovation, social justice, decoloniality, and transformative praxis.
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The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) is committed to fostering artistic creation, cultural critique, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By supporting research, JIAS advocates for the role of art in shaping society, challenging perspectives, and advancing knowledge. JIAS believes in the power of art to inspire change.
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The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) is dedicated to advancing critical scholarship in the social sciences, with a focus on decolonial thought, Global South epistemologies, and the pursuit of epistemic justice. The institute supports scholars, activists, and practitioners in reimagining equitable frameworks for education, research, and social transformation. Committed to inclusivity and intellectual rigor, JIAS serves as a hub for rethinking power, knowledge, and justice from African and Southern perspectives.
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JIAS interrogates the transformative potential of digital technologies as tools for liberation. Grounded in the realities of the Global South, JIAS fosters the development of community-rooted technologies that prioritize local knowledge and participatory design to promote frameworks that serve justice, ecological consciousness, and collective well-being. Through collaborative experimentation JIAS aims to empower communities to harness technology as a force for systemic change.
Host Your Event at JIAS
We offer our unique, intellectually vibrant micro-campus as a destination for workshops, seminars, conferences, book launches, and keynotes. By booking our venues and ensuite accommodation, you become part of a living community dedicated to theoretical innovation, social justice, and transformative praxis. Our facilities are designed to foster the kind of groundbreaking, transdisciplinary inquiry JIAS is known for. They provide the perfect environment for gatherings that aim to challenge perspectives, advance knowledge, and inspire change.
UPCOMING EVENTS
At JIAS, our events bring together leading scholars, researchers, artists, and public intellectuals to engage with pressing issues shaping society today. Through seminars, lectures, dialogues, and public conversations, we create spaces for critical reflection, interdisciplinary exchange, and the exploration of new ideas. Join us at our upcoming events as we continue to foster meaningful discussion and intellectual engagement within South Africa and beyond.
Upcoming Webinars
Join the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) for a series of engaging conversations with distinguished scholars, authors, and thought leaders exploring literature, politics, history, and contemporary society. These online webinars are free to attend, but registration is essential.
11 July 2026
Bloke and the Politics of African Exilic Life
Join Dr Siyabonga Njica and Prof Siphiwo Mahala for an insightful discussion on Bloke and the Politics of African Exilic Life. This webinar examines the intellectual legacy of Bloke Modisane and explores themes of exile, identity, resistance, and African political thought.
Speakers
Dr Siyabonga Njica
Prof Siphiwo Mahala
Date: 11 July 2026
RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/31JqJb9ZdH?origin=lprLink
14 July 2026
From Script to Screen: The Art of Journey of Adaptation
Acclaimed author and diplomat Vikas Swarup explores the fascinating journey of transforming stories from the written page to the screen. This session offers unique insights into storytelling, adaptation, creativity, and the global impact of literature in film and television.
Speaker
Vikas Swarup
Date: 14 July 2026
RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/mFc5PZ0CRE?origin=lprLink
16 July 2026
Reflections of 35 Years of The Famished Road
Celebrate the enduring legacy of The Famished Road with renowned author Ben Okri. Marking 35 years since the publication of this landmark novel, the conversation reflects on its literary significance, themes, and continued relevance in contemporary African literature.
Speaker
Ben Okri
Date: 16 July 2026
RSVP: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/c8umjjwQYt?origin=lprLink
JIAS GALLERY
A visual journey through the events, seminars, and scholarly engagements that define life at JIAS. Explore moments of dialogue, discovery, and collaboration within our academic community..
