17 breaks new ground as the first structured African-based research strand combining bioart and design through a decolonial lens. 2024 focused heavily on consolidating and growing BA+DA, which quickly gained traction through strategic partnerships, public programmes, and research outputs. These developments were supported by a rebranding of the two strands, and the redesign of VIAD’s website, set to launch in March 2025. Considerable effort went into establishing BA+DA’s identity, positioning it as a global leader in the field, with its Africanised and decolonial approach distinguishing it from dominant Euro-American models. Exhibitions such as Imminent and Eminent Ecologies became key public engagement tools, supported by artist talks, panel discussions, publications, and a growing media presence. VIAD’s research output was substantial, comprising books, journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, and an estimated eighteen creative works. This productivity was supported by a strong academic community that included staff, associates, visiting professors, and artists-in-residence. One PhD student graduated, and three others continued their studies. Across both research strands, VIAD remained anchored in transformative practice, challenging systems of othering and environmental injustice through creative and scholarly work. A major focus of the year was the cultivation of new partnerships. Internally, BA+DA collaborated with several UJ departments and centres, including the Water and Health Research Centre, the Centre for Environmental Intelligence, and Industrial Design. Externally, VIAD worked with a broad network of local and international institutions, including the Centre for the Study of Slavery and Justice (Brown University), the Africa Institute (UAE), Stellenbosch University, Wits, the DESIS network, and Zone2Source (Netherlands). Projects such as *Fluid Boundaries* brought together scientists, artists, and Indigenous knowledge practitioners from Switzerland, Brazil, and South Africa, forming a transdisciplinary alliance that exemplifies VIAD’s collaborative ethos. Community engagement also flourished. Initiatives like Thank You Hillbrow, Floating Bodies, and Come Dine with Us integrated Indigenous knowledge, biotechnology, and sustainability into everyday urban practices. These projects not only addressed local challenges around food security, health, and water sanitation but also served as models for globally relevant, community-rooted design thinking. VIAD’s commitment to transformation was evident throughout—whether in the conceptual framing of exhibitions or in the make-up of its research teams, which reflected a diverse and inclusive demographic. VIAD’s work aligned closely with South Africa’s national priorities and several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on health, education, water and sanitation, innovation, and sustainable production. BA+DA’s work on ecological materials, biomedical ecologies, and food systems responded to these frameworks with specificity and nuance, offering African-centred alternatives to dominant global narratives. The centre’s impact extended into the academic, cultural, and public domains. BA+DA continued to develop its academic programme, engaged alumni, and drew increasing interest from funders. While some external funding proposals were unsuccessful, VIAD secured significant support, including a R2.7 million grant from Pro Helvetia and further contributions from the Netherlands Creative Industries Fund and various internal UJ sources. These funds supported exhibitions, collaborative projects, and the engagement of distinguished visiting scholars. Looking ahead, VIAD has laid out a clear vision for growth over the next five years. The plan includes expanding its team, increasing postgraduate supervision, hosting international residencies, producing highlevel creative and scholarly outputs, and developing a national consortium of art–science practitioners. With its integrated research, cultural programming, and community-based practices, VIAD continues to model how interdisciplinary and decolonial creative practice can foster meaningful social, environmental, and epistemic transformation. In sum, 2024 was a year of strategic expansion, intellectual renewal, and creative innovation. VIAD’s repositioning through the R|O and BA+DA strands has allowed it to reassert its relevance and leadership as a research centre that is deeply rooted in African contexts while actively shaping global conversations at the intersections of art, design, science, and social justice.
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