SuperScientists

SuperScientists is a non-profit science communication and educational media initiative based in Durban, South Africa. Founded in 2019, it operates under CodeMakers NPC and brings together character design, illustrated storytelling, publishing, exhibitions and animation to introduce young audiences to living African scientists.

Its central approach transforms scientists into comic-style superheroes whose powers reflect their actual research. The project grew from an observation that South African schoolchildren often struggled to name living or Black scientists, while readily recognizing fictional superheroes. By connecting scientific work with familiar visual storytelling, SuperScientists makes contemporary researchers visible and gives learners examples of people working in science across Africa.

The initiative has profiled more than 60 scientists and STEM champions from South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, Zambia and Rwanda. Its characters appear across collectable cards, activity books, colouring sheets, posters, calendars and comics. Tens of thousands of free educational materials have been distributed through schools, libraries and clinics, connecting creative production with public engagement and classroom outreach.

Stories across print, exhibitions and animation

The studio develops projects in several formats. Its science adventure comic, SuperScientists Dig In!, extends the characters into longer illustrated narratives. The travelling exhibition SuperScientists: Real People, Real Superpowers has appeared at Maropeng at the Cradle of Humankind and the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, reaching more than 50,000 visitors.

For animation, SuperScientists produced the short film and series pilot SuperScientists - Origins with The Hidden Hand Studios. The project forms part of its continuing development of an episodic animated series. Its production activities combine original educational concepts and art direction with specialist external collaborators.

Alongside its media projects, SuperScientists runs school outreach, STEM literacy workshops and teacher engagement programmes. Racial and gender equity in science are recurring themes, with educational campaigns designed to help young people recognize themselves in the people and stories behind scientific research.