Three Rhodes University academics have been awarded prestigious National Research Foundation (NRF) chairs by Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.
The appointments yesterday of education professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka, art professor Ruth Simbao and biochemistry expert Dr Adrienne Edkins as DST/NRF South African Research Chairs
Initiative (SARChI) recipients boosts the total at Rhodes University to 14 since 2007.
Vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela yesterday said the university was “absolutely elated” that three more Rhodes researchers had cracked the nod for funding to continue their groundbreaking work.
“The three researchers occupying the chairs are outstanding.”
Mabizela said the latest appointments boosted the number of women researchers awarded chairs to 50% at the university.
“This is significant for us and something that we have to celebrate as we endeavour to change the gender and demographic composition of the professorship at Rhodes University.
“We are really punching above our weight as we hold 7% of all chairs awarded to date. We are tremendously proud of our researchers.”
University spokeswoman Catherine Deiner said the awards would provide additional resources for the three academics to achieve heightened research outputs that would add to the influence of their work nationally and internationally.
“They not only produce their own outputs and graduate students, but gather momentum around their intellectual disciplines and act as role models and creators of opportunities for others.”
SARChI was started in 2006 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and NRF to attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at universities across the country.
An excited Edkins said the award would give her more resources, support and time to do specialised long-term research into biochemistry and cell biology.
Lotz-Sisitka, based at the university’s Environmental Learning Research Centre, has been researching education system development and transformative social learning for more just and sustainable economies and societies.
Simbao, a fine arts associate professor, research for the chair into “Geopolitics and the Arts of Africa”, challenges dominant knowledge structures in the north that produce a skewed discourse on African art. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Prestigious research chairs for three Rhodes academics
The appointments yesterday of education professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka, art professor Ruth Simbao and biochemistry expert Dr Adrienne Edkins as DST/NRF South African Research Chairs
Initiative (SARChI) recipients boosts the total at Rhodes University to 14 since 2007.
Vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela yesterday said the university was “absolutely elated” that three more Rhodes researchers had cracked the nod for funding to continue their groundbreaking work.
“The three researchers occupying the chairs are outstanding.”
Mabizela said the latest appointments boosted the number of women researchers awarded chairs to 50% at the university.
“This is significant for us and something that we have to celebrate as we endeavour to change the gender and demographic composition of the professorship at Rhodes University.
“We are really punching above our weight as we hold 7% of all chairs awarded to date. We are tremendously proud of our researchers.”
University spokeswoman Catherine Deiner said the awards would provide additional resources for the three academics to achieve heightened research outputs that would add to the influence of their work nationally and internationally.
“They not only produce their own outputs and graduate students, but gather momentum around their intellectual disciplines and act as role models and creators of opportunities for others.”
SARChI was started in 2006 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and NRF to attract and retain excellence in research and innovation at universities across the country.
An excited Edkins said the award would give her more resources, support and time to do specialised long-term research into biochemistry and cell biology.
Lotz-Sisitka, based at the university’s Environmental Learning Research Centre, has been researching education system development and transformative social learning for more just and sustainable economies and societies.
Simbao, a fine arts associate professor, research for the chair into “Geopolitics and the Arts of Africa”, challenges dominant knowledge structures in the north that produce a skewed discourse on African art. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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