UMP-Oppenheimer Research Chair in Biodiversity Conservation
The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) has marked a major milestone in its research journey with the establishment of the UMP-Oppenheimer Research Chair in Biodiversity Conservation.
This prestigious Chair is the result of a visionary partnership between UMP and the Benjamin Raymond Oppenheimer (BRO) Trust, through Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation (OGRC). The multi-year, multi-million Rand co-investment reflects a shared commitment to shaping a sustainable future through world-class conservation research, postgraduate training, and evidence-based policy innovation.
Appointed as the inaugural Chairholder is Professor Dan Parker, an NRF-rated wildlife biologist in the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences at UMP. With a track record of impactful research and mentorship, Prof. Parker is leading a dynamic, interdisciplinary team focused on habitat restoration, species conservation, and the biodiversity impacts of climate change.
Established in 2025, and working with a network of local and international collaborators, the Chair has initiated 17 dedicated research projects spanning South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. These projects collectively support 15 Master’s and PhD students, with additional projects and collaborations already in development.
The research portfolio spans a wide ecological spectrum—from carnivore conservation to savanna restoration—and blends field ecology, conservation genetics, and the social sciences to drive holistic, solutions-based research. The Chair also draws on UMP’s world-class infrastructure, strengthening the University’s growing reputation as an emerging hub for cutting-edge science.
The UMP-Oppenheimer Research Chair stands as a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence—anchored in Mpumalanga, with a footprint across southern Africa and a vision for global impact.