The state and future of research at the University of Cape Town's Faculty of Health Sciences.

The nature of research has continued to change considerably over the last century. Our Faculty's challenge has been to keep abreast of those changes to remain at the cutting edge, while contributing meaningfully to the scientific literature which informs clinical and public health practice in South Africa and beyond. The Faculty must possess an agreed-on research strategy that is dynamic and responsive. Over the years our Faculty has 'grown' such a strategy document. This article, summarising its main thrusts, is offered because we feel that while it applies specifically to UCT, the issues raised surely apply to all similar faculties in our country and on the continent, to varying degrees.