Join leading futurist Dr Morné Mostert at the 2026 Unisa Catalytic Niche Area (CNA) Research Symposium, taking place from 29 to 31 July, where researchers, postgraduate students, industry leaders, policymakers, civil society and innovation partners come together to shape the future through research, collaboration and innovation.

Dr Morné Mostert

Mostert is an international advisor on strategic foresight, leadership thinking and executive decision-making. He has undertaken assignments in Geneva, Paris, London, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Melbourne, Baku, Tokyo, the United States, Mexico, and several other economic hubs across Africa and the Middle East.

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him as a Commissioner on the National Planning Commission, where he serves as an advisor on economic futures, internationalisation and climate change. He is a member of the Club of Rome, the renowned international think tank on climate change and global challenges.

His award-winning thought leadership has been published internationally, and he is a regular contributor to the business media on longer-term policy and strategy. He is the author of the influential book Systemic Leadership Learning: Leadership Development in the Era of Complexity, in which he proposes an innovative learning methodology based on Systems Thinking for developing future leaders in a world characterised by near-chaotic change.

His most recent book, Executive Futures: A Quest for Quantum Curriculum, provides insights into thinking, intellectual development and strategic decision-making for senior executives, and has been launched internationally.

Previously, Mostert was a member of the ILO International Panel of Experts on the Future of Work, the Director of the Institute for Futures Research, and a board member of the Bureau for Economic Research.

With a PhD in Technology and Innovation, Mostert is also the inventor of the Mindset Index, described as a world first in the scientific assessment of strategic mindsets.

As an international speaker and facilitator, he draws on his expertise in thinking and decision-making to help senior leaders derive value from executive learning experiences.

His advisory and executive education work integrates various thinking modalities, including:

• Strategic foresight and futures thinking
• Systems thinking
• Strategy and strategic thinking
• Mindset development
• Design thinking
• Creative thinking and innovation
• A suite of other thinking and decision-making domains

Keynote speaker: Thursday 30 July 2026

Venue: Senate Hall, 2^nd floor, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Building, Unisa Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria

Broadcast: Thamsanqa Kambule Auditorium, 1^st floor, GJ Gerwel Building, Unisa Science Campus, Florida, Johannesburg

About the 2026 Unisa Catalytic Niche Area Research Symposium

The symposium is Unisa’s flagship platform for showcasing and advancing scholarship within its ten CNAs. It provides a space for interdisciplinary engagement, strategic dialogue and collaborative action aimed at addressing South Africa’s most complex and persistent challenges while contributing to continental and global development priorities.

Bringing together academia, industry, government and civil society, the symposium promotes research that is responsive, innovative and impactful. It ensures that knowledge creation extends beyond the academy to inform policy, drive innovation and improve lives.

The 2026 Unisa CNA Research Symposium is more than a research event. It is a catalyst for collaboration, innovation and transformative thinking.

Through catalytic thinking, we challenge boundaries, inspire new ideas and create knowledge.

Through impactful outcomes, we ensure that research delivers meaningful benefits for society, industry, government and communities.

Join us as we advance research excellence, drive innovation and power change through catalytic thinking and impactful outcomes. 

Click here for more information and to register.

 * By Virginia McManus, Manager: PR, Communication and Marketing, Directorate Research Support