In recognition of the critical significance of Migration and Urbanisation, HIV/AIDS, and Poverty and Inequality to population policy in South Africa and the SADC region, three ‘NODES’ were established early in 2001 in order to stimulate research in these areas.

• HIV/AIDS
• Migration and Urbanisation
• Poverty and Inequality

The Andrew W Mellon Foundation generously funded these Nodes, which were based at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the University of Natal Durban (UND), and the University of Cape Town (UCT) respectively. They are convened by Professor Stephen Tollman (School of Public Health/Agincourt Health and Population Unit), Professor Eleanor Preston-Whyte (School of Development Studies), and Mr. Dudley Horner (Southern African Labour Research Unit (SALDRU)) based at the three Universities respectively.
 
So far the three Nodes have successfully funded several proposals in South Africa and the SADC region. The funding currently stands at close to 4 Million rands to be spent by the end of the 2004. The research projects funded are spread throughout Southern Africa with two based at Makerere University in Uganda and Egerton University in Njoro, Kenya. All projects funded have a research capacity building orientation where less experienced researchers are mentored by more established researchers. Capacity development is also enhanced through collaboration between more resourced institutions with less resourced ones.
 
In addition to funding the proposal, the Nodes have in the past commissioned papers. Two papers were commissioned by the Migration and Urbanisation Node. These were: A Review of Current Literature and Recent Research on Migration in Southern Africa, written by Dorrit Posel, and, Moving Between the Lines: Urbanizing Migration and the Remaking of African Social Life, written by Abdou Maliq-Simone. More recently a paper titled, A Small Grants Research and Capacity Development Programme in the SADC Region: Reflecting on the Migration and Urbanisation Node Experience, was presented at the annual meeting of the Demographic Association of Southern Africa (DEMSA).
 
Each of the Nodes is stewarded by steering committees with members drawn from local and international universities and research centers. The information on this website profile each of the Node and their achievements so far in stimulating research in their respective areas. The Proposals that have been funded by each of the Nodes so far are also included as full text hyperlinked to their titles.
 
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