Pan-African Consortium for Human Evolution (PANACHE)
PANACHE brings together researchers from institutions in Africa and African scholars from the diaspora to build a continent-wide network that fosters collaboration and places African scholars at the centre of research on our shared human past.
The goal is to provide a platform to develop capacity, shift narratives, and build structures that reflect the diversity and complexity of our human story. In doing so, PANACHE enhances the ability of African scientists not just to contribute, but to lead—within the discipline, and in its engagement with the wider world.
Through PANACHE training, collaboration and partnerships, the hope is to shift the field of human origins research itself—toward a model that is more inclusive, ethical, and representative of the people and places at its heart.
PANACHE funding and logistics are managed by the Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI) at UCT.
“PANACHE aims to change the way human origins research, particularly in Africa, has long been shaped by extractive practices, unequal power dynamics, and a legacy of racist science. Our network strengthens and supports networks of African-led talent to directly counter practices that keep African researchers on the margins of a field rooted in their own continent. ”
Activities
Feb 2023: Palaeoproteomics Workshop, South Africa
August 2023: Palaeoproteomics Summer School, Copenhagen
May 2025: UCT Stable Isotope Course
May/June 2025: Boomplaas, South Africa excavations
July 2025: Laetoli, Tanzania excavations
July 6-11 2025: Workshop “Towards a Socially Responsive Practice in Palaeoanthropology”, !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre, South Africa
PANACHE training network
The PANACHE Training Network offers African students structured training, cross-institutional mobility, and collaborative research opportunities—but locates itself fully within Africa, to serve African students and researchers first.
Inspired by the successful EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks, PANACHE offers students technical training with a strong emphasis on inclusive, socially responsive, Africa-centred research practice.
Specifically, PANACHE focuses on three key domains: research, innovation, and transferable skills through a programme that includes:
Trans-institutional, transnational, training-focused collaboration;
Core and advanced research methods across subfields of human origins research;
Training in responsible research and innovation, including anti-bias, anti-harassment, and ethics;
Communication and engagement strategies, including science communication, community outreach, and museum partnerships;
The PANACHE training network funds student mobility across institutions for secondments, fieldwork, lab training, museum placements, and summer schools.
Partners and funders
PANACHE consists of a broad team of researchers from institutions in Africa, African scholars from the diaspora with personal connections, research foci and field sites in Africa, and key partners outside of Africa who provide additional training expertise central to identified research goals of the network.
