Start main page content

网易体育 LINK

Established in 2000, the LINK Centre in Johannesburg is an interdisciplinary academic hub based at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) School of Literature, Language and Media (SLLM) and the Wits Tshimologong Digital Innnovation Precinct. The LINK team researches, publishes, advises and teaches on a wide range of technology, innovation, and digital transformation matters in African contexts.

LINK works at the intersections of policy studies, law and regulation, political science, economics, sociology, informatics, information science, digital engineering, media studies, management, and development studies.  The Centre, located in Johannesburg’s inner city, focuses on themes of economic and societal change in the paradigm of network, knowledge-based economies evolving through digital innovation. At present, LINK's core research themes are: digital innovation and transformation; governance, policy and regulation in the digital era; cybersecurity thinking and analytical frameworks; and open approaches to knowledge governance.

In addition to team members' publication of research reports, policy papers, journal articles, book chapters and books, the Centre publishes the accredited, open access, peer-reviewed academic journal, The African Journal of Information and Communication (AJIC). LINK's research and publishing outputs contribute to policy development, public discourse, and delivery of its learning programmes. The Centre offers three postgraduate degrees and several short courses, with four of the current short courses provided in collaboration with the ITU Academy. The PhD and Master's degrees comprise:

  • PhD in Interdisciplinary Digital Knowledge Economy Studies
  • MA in Interdisciplinary Digital Knowledge Economy Studies (MA IDKES)
  • MA in ICT Policy and Regulation (MA ICTPR)

The short courses cover:

  • Disruptive Technologies and Governance in the Digital Era (provided with ITU)
  • Excellence in Digital Government (provided with ITU)
  • Governance of Generative AI and Other Emerging Technologies in the Creative Sectors (provided with ITU)
  • Trends In Communications Sector Reform and Regulation for the Digital Economy (provided with ITU)
  • Governance, Policy and Regulation for the Digital Era (GPRDE)

LINK's work focusses on the following four thematic areas: 

  • Digital Innovation & Transformation
  • Governance, Policy & Regulation for the Digital Era
  • Cybersecurity Thinking & Analytical Frameworks
  • Open Approaches to Knowledge Governance

LINK was active in the establishment of the Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, and is involved in several international research initiatives, including the Digital Skillshare Project and the Open African Innovation Research (Open AIR) network.

If you wish to explore collaboration opportunities with the Centre, please contact:

 

Share