Latest News
Foundational Learning Data for Impact: Mastering Analysis, Interpretation and Communication
Online application is open for our one-week residential course. The course will be held at the University of Cape Town from 9 to 13 June 2025. This five-day course aims to improve your skills in data cleaning, data analysis, data interpretation and the communication of research findings. Find our more.
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Opportunity
We invite applications for a postdoctoral position to work in the AFLEARN Data Hub. The successful candidate will be involved in original empirical research; collating and analysing large-scale African foundational learning data; publishing and communicating research findings to diverse audiences; and capacity building through residential courses and follow-up support to course participants. Find our more.
Contract Position at DataFirst: French Speaking Data Analyst
We require a French speaking Data Analyst to work on Francophone African datasets deposited with DataFirst for resharing. The incumbent will confirm data into research-ready formats. They will also source and cite published research that is based on our Francophone African data. We are looking for applicants with a talent for quickly learning new tasks and who show attention to detail. They must also have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.. Application details.
Part-time and Full-time contract Data Analysts posts
We require Data Analysts to work at the Service. The incumbent will confirm data into research-ready formats. They will also source and cite published research that is based on our data. We are looking for applicants with a talent for quickly learning new tasks and who show attention to detail. They must also have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Application details.
Release of new datasets
In partnership with DataFirst, the WORLD Policy Analysis Center is thrilled to announce the release of open access longitudinal quantitative measures of laws and policies for African countries that lay the foundation for equal opportunities in early childhood and gender equality. Find our more.
AFLEARN Workshop November 2024
AFLEARN’s inaugural one-week residential course took place from 4 to 8 November 2024, focusing on maximising the impact of foundational learning data. It covered four areas: strategic communication, data interpretation, data visualisation, and writing for non-specialist audiences. It was made possible through generous funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Read More.
African Foundational Learning Data Hub
DataFirst has received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to establish an African hub focused on foundational learning data, measurement, research, and capacity building. Read More.
Presentation by DataFirst at a Data Expert Group Meeting of the UN ECA and Statistics SA in Pretoria
Lynn Woolfrey, Manager of Data Services and Operations at DataFirst gave a presentation at the Expert Group meeting in Pretoria on the 12th of September. The meeting was organised by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Statistics South Africa, with the UK Office for National Statistics and the UNFPA contributing. The focus of the meeting was the 2020 Round of Population and Housing Censuses in Africa, and Planning for 2030 Round. Lynn spoke on curating and sharing census microdata.
DataFirst Presents at the Make Data Count Summit in London
Lynn Woolfrey was a Speaker at the Make Data Count Summit 2024 on the 5th and 6th of September. Find our more.
Remembering Martin Wittenberg
On 27 July 2024, after a long battle with cancer Martin Wittenberg passed away. He was the director of DataFirst from 2010 to 2023. Read the tributes.
Change in Directorship
In March 2024 Professor Cally Ardington took over the Directorship of DataFirst, succeeding Professor Martin Wittenberg, who led DataFirst with distinction for 13 years. Martin's tenure was marked by significant contributions that cemented DataFirst's reputation as a trusted source of data for high-quality research. Read More.
Winners of the Francis Wilson Memorial Prize for Data-Driven Research 2024
We are pleased to announce that Dr Emma Whitelaw and Mr Tim Kohler are the recipients of the the Francis Wilson Memorial Prize for 2024. Read More.
Francis Wilson Memorial Lecture 2024
The second annual Francis Wilson Memorial Lecture will be presented by Trevor Manuel. Mr Manuel will speak on "How to build - and break - a capable state: structural reform and institution building in the democratic era". More information about the lecture.
Celebrating the work of Professor Martin Wittenberg
On Friday, October 27th, DataFirst and UCT’s School of Economics hosted a conference to honour the lifetime contributions of Professor Martin Wittenberg to economics, and more broadly to quantitative social science, in South Africa. Read More.