The RCS Team joins the AfricaLics Secretariat and global research community in mourning the passing of Professor David Kaplan. Dave was more than an outstanding scholar,he was a mentor, a builder, and a deeply generous human being whose commitment to strengthening African research ecosystems left a lasting mark on all of us who worked alongside him.
As a founding pillar of the AfricaLics Secretariat, his dedication to intellectual rigor, mentorship, and inclusive knowledge-building helped shape generations of innovation scholars across the continent. His presence brought both depth and warmth to our work, reminding us that excellence and humanity can and should go hand in hand.
As shared by colleagues and friends:
“We have lost a wonderful soul. His commitment to AfricaLics was exemplary. He always contributed to a cheerful atmosphere in our meetings even as he insisted on intellectual rigor. May his soul rest in perfect peace.” George Essegbey
“What a great loss!Africalics owes a great deal to this man, a profound scholar and a humble and generous human being. Great loss indeed.” Rajesh GK
“Dear Friends, It is with deep respect and heartfelt sorrow that I extend my condolences to the family of Professor David Kaplan. His passing is a profound loss to the academic community and to all of us in the GlobeLics and AfricaLics networks, who had the privilege of learning from his wisdom.Professor Kaplan was more than a distinguished scholar; he was a generous mentor whose guidance shaped my own intellectual journey. At a time when I struggled to connect mainstream economic theories with innovation-driven heterodox development studies, his insights illuminated the path forward. His unique perspective and generosity instilled in me the values of critical thinking and perseverance – qualities that continue to guide my research and academic careers. As one of the founders of the AfricaLics Secretariat, Professor Kaplan played a pivotal role in building the research capacity of hundreds of African Ph.D. students in the field of innovation. His contributions stand among the most enduring legacies of senior scholars whose influence will inspire generations of African innovation researchers to come.I affirm my commitment to honor his memory by striving to follow in his footsteps, scaling his good deeds to new heights. His legacy will remain alive not only in the scholarship he advanced but also in the lives of those he mentored and inspired.May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in knowing that his impact will continue to resonate across Africa and beyond.” Abdi Ahmad
We invite everyone who knew Dave to share their memories and reflections on the tribute site link below. Your stories and messages will help us honour his life and the impact he made on us all.
https://www.online-tribute.com/DavidKaplan
A short tribute montage link appears below, celebrating his life at AfricaLics and Globelics and enduring impact: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M_dhpkMD6OAhN7SXjl-_tC4ETvC-3Lpz/view?usp=share_link