About the GPI Future Leaders
About the Programme
The GPI Future Leaders Programme empowers early- and mid-career researchers—especially from the Global South—to lead groundbreaking studies in playful parenting, child development, and violence prevention.
Our Future Leaders are more than researchers; they are changemakers, turning science into action to support families worldwide.
✅ Launched: September 2023
✅ 84 Future Leaders enrolled (Dec 2024)
✅ 75% from the Global South
📌 Programme Focus Areas
- Research excellence – Training in parenting research & implementation science
- Leadership development – Professional growth & advocacy training
- Global collaboration – A strong network of researchers, policymakers & implementers
Future Leaders
Who Are the Future Leaders?
💡 GPI Playful Parenting Scholars
🎓 Master’s & PhD students working on GPI-aligned research topics
💡 GPI Playful Parenting Fellows
📖 Early-career researchers or experienced professionals pursuing a PhD
💡 GPI Playful Parenting Professionals
👩🏿 Research managers & postgraduate professionals contributing to GPI projects
What Future Leaders Gain
📚 Tailored Training & Courses
- 2-hour expert-led sessions per month on research methods, professional skills, and advocacy
- Exclusive access to university courses (e.g., Oxford & UCT) on evidence-based social policy and prevention science
🤝 Mentorship & Career Support
- One-on-one mentoring from senior experts
- Group mentoring for peer learning & knowledge exchange
🚀 Leadership & Capacity Building
- Access to leadership coaching (10-week programme)
- Custom professional development (LeadMe Grow to Great Programme)
🌍 Conference & Research Funding
- Financial support for international conferences & training
- 15 Future Leaders funded in 2024 to present research globally
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Real Impact: Future Leaders’ Achievements
🏆 Publications & Presentations
- 19 Future Leaders presented at major conferences
- 12 delivered talks in GPI Open Webinars
- 8 first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals
🎓 Career Milestones
- Dr. Zuyi Fang – Appointed Associate Professor at Peking University
- Dr. Hlengiwe Gwebu – Named Associate Dean at University of Fort Hare
- Dr. Amanda Sim – Delivered a keynote at an international research conference
📢 Global Advocacy & Policy Influence
- Dr. Amalee McCoy spoke at the UN High-Level Event on Ending Violence Against Children
- Farah Zeehan presented on early childhood development at the ARNEC Regional Conference
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
In 2025, we’re expanding our Future Leaders Training Programme with:
✅ Beginner, intermediate & advanced training tracks
✅ In-person workshops alongside key regional events
✅ Career tracking to measure long-term impact
