Ara Monadjem wins Royal Society Africa Prize 2025
- Wits Alumni Relations
Wits alumnus acknowledged for his dedication to African biodiversity research.
The Royal Society Africa Prize 2025 has been awarded to Professor Ara Monadjem (BSc 1990, BSc Hons 1991, MSc 1993) for his “unwavering dedication to African biodiversity research and conservation”.
The Fellowship of many of the world’s most eminent scientists made the announcement on 27 August 2025. The prize recognises research scientists at a senior stage of their careers based in Africa and who are making an innovative contribution to the sciences. The winner also receives a bronze medal and a gift of £2,000. The prize is intended to build a research project in the area of specialisation.
Prof Monadjem has been head of the Zoology and Entomology Department at the University of Pretoria since June 2025. For three decades prior, he was at the University of Eswatini’s Department of Biological Sciences. He has published widely, including eight books and more than 220 scientific (peer-reviewed) papers. He has supervised more than 35 master’s and doctoral students worldwide.
“I am both deeply honoured and flattered by this award. No doubt, it will open doors for me, allowing me to extend my research into the ecosystem services provided by bats and other mammals,” Prof Monadjem told the Alumni Relations Office.
Prof Monadjem’s research focuses on the ecology and conservation of African mammals and birds. He specialises in field-based studies whose objectives are to obtain biological and taxonomic insights on rare and threatened species or to understand the ecological roles and ecosystem functions of these species in natural and agricultural landscapes.
He has worked in remote locations across the African continent including its rainforests in tropical Africa and the savannahs of Southern and East Africa, including Madagascar.
He said he couldn’t recall how he first became interested in science as a career, but “I do remember that I was always totally enthralled by wildlife, in particular mammals, birds and snakes,” he said.
He also shared some memories of his time at Wits: “Nearly all my memories of Wits are with utmost fondness. I guess, one aspect of Wits that I particularly enjoyed was the Biology Club. It was amazing to mix with so many others who shared my passion for animals and the outdoors. We had regular weekly meetings and social events, and we even had a football team that didn't do too badly in the soccer league.”
Sources: The Royal Society and the University of Pretoria