In this issue we pay tribute to Professor Christine Merrell; highlight research including the Templeton capacity building grant and Durham CREATE; give updates from MARM and the new Master in Data Science (MDS); and information on courses & workshops including Decolonisation with Stellenbosch, The R Course and the collaboration with the NCRM.

In this inaugural issue we would like to introduce you to the DRMC Team; highlight a showcase of our PhD student Catherine Marley; highlight a showcase of our intern Mengchu Li; give you more information about he MA in Social Research Methods (MARM), our courses & workshops; and information about our research & grant news.