Robyn Pickering

Human origins research—particularly in Africa—has long been shaped by extractive practices, unequal power dynamics, and a legacy of racist science. Foreign-led “helicopter” research remains common, and limited local funding keeps African researchers on the margins of a field rooted in their own continent. The Pan-African Consortium for Human Evolution (PANACHE) Training Network, launched in 2023, is working to change this. Inspired by the successful EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks, PANACHE trains African students across a wide range of subfields, both in the field and the laboratory. The programme combines rigorous technical training with transferable skills and a strong emphasis on inclusive, socially responsive, Africa-centred research practice. Our broader aim is to build a continent-wide network that fosters collaboration and places African scholars at the centre of research on our shared human past. With support from WG-GIG in 2024/2025, PANACHE has trained 15 students at African institutions/sites. In 2026/7, we will expand the network further, with a specific focus on drawing in more Ethiopian students and institutions, recognising Ethiopia’s central role in human origins research. We see this as a step toward more equitable, collaborative, and locally grounded science—an effort we are proud to be building together. Co-PIs: Rebecca R Ackermann & Behailu Habte