Prof Carolyn Ellis hosted by UJ: workshops and the Second Johannesburg Seminar on Qualitative Research methods

The Centre for Work Performance at the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management at the University of Johannesburg will proudly host Professor Carolyn Ellis, who is a distinguished university professor at the Department of Communication of the South Florida University, from 29 September to 1 October 2014. She will present two training workshops on alternative days, and will be the key-note speaker at the Second Annual Johannesburg Seminar on Qualitative Research Methods.  

The first workshop will take place on Monday, 29 September, and is intended for master’s and doctoral students. The second one, presented on the following day, is earmarked for lecturers and supervisors.

The seminar, a day-long event, takes place on Wednesday, 1 October 2014. Professor Carolyn Ellis, arguably the most prominent pioneer of autoethnographical work, will deliver the key note address entitled: "Living and relating after the holocaust: a survivor and researcher collaborate in compassionate storytelling".

This address will be followed by a presentation by Professors Garth Stevens and Norman Duncan of the University of Witwatersrand about The Apartheid Archive Project. Next is Dr Lauren Dylle-Myklebust of the Centre for Communication, Media and Society of the University of KwaZulu-Natal whose presentation is entitled: "Traversing reflexivity, autoethnography and narrative in Kalahari research terrains: observations and approaches". Professor Wilhelm Jordaan, a distinguished professor at the University of Pretoria, who is well-known for his articles on a variety of human, societal and religious issues in a weekly column, Van Mens tot Mens, in Beeld, a daily national newspaper, will then present his talk on: "Beavers build dams, spiders weave webs and humans tell stories". He is followed by Professor Willem Schurink, of the Centre for Work Performance, Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, who as visiting professor has supervised many masters and doctoral students in doing qualitative research. Assisted by researchers, Professor Schurink will give an overview of the life story and autoethnographical research of the Department. The seminar will be concluded by Professors Jordaan and Ellis who will offer a critical evaluation of autoethnography and will look at the road ahead.

There is no registration fee for the workshops and seminar. Attendees will, however, have to carry the cost for their own transport, accommodation and meals.

If you are interested in attending any of these events, please indicate those you prefer, and send an e-mail to Ms Rooksana Sheik at rsheik@uj.ac.za since space is limited.

Yours sincerely,

Willem Schurink

Visiting Professor

Department for Industrial Psychology and People Management

Celebrating with Puleng Segalo: Distinguished Young Woman Scientist of the Year

Top South African women scientists were honoured at the Women in Science Awards (WISA) ceremony in Johannesburg on Friday.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) hosts these awards annually to reward outstanding female scientists and researchers, and encourage younger women to follow in their footsteps.

The two winners in the Distinguished Woman Scientist (Natural Sciences and Engineering) category were Prof. Priscilla Baker of the University of the Western Cape and Prof. Marina Rautenbach of Stellenbosch University.

Prof. Baker specialises in the application of frequency-modulated electrochemical techniques that can be applied in water analysis and treatment, and to detect the presence of toxic chemicals produced by fungi in fish.

Prof. Rautenbach, a biochemist, has been working on natural antimicrobial peptides, which can be used in nurseries, viticulture, organic farming, animal health care and feeds, aquaculture, food preservation, air and water filtration, the paper industry, dental care and medicine.

In the Humanities and Social Sciences category, the Distinguished Women Scientists were Professors Leila Patel and Marie Poggelpoel, both from the University of Johannesburg.  Prof. Patel and her colleagues at the Centre for Social Development in Africa carry out cutting-edge research into poverty and vulnerability, civic engagement, and the relations between various role players in social development.

Prof. Poggenpoel is the coordinator of the Master's in Psychiatric Nursing programme, and has done important work into aggression in South African society.

The winners in the Distinguished Young Woman Scientist category were Dr Puleng Segalo, a senior lecturer at Unisa, and Dr Nosipho Moloko, a researcher and academic at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Dr Segalo's interrogation of transcripts of testimonies made to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by women survivors of apartheid has exposed how much structural violence transforms everyday constructs, including mobility and freedom.

Dr Moloko's research has been focused on finding various synthetic methods for the production of semiconductor nanocrystals.  She and her colleagues are looking into the application of these materials in electronic devices such as photovoltaics and gas sensors, and as labelling materials in biological applications.

TATA Africa sponsored several master's and doctoral fellowships, as did the DST.  One of the recipients was Caroline Pule, whose research is aimed at preventing the spread of drug-resistant TB.  Another was Tlhompho Gaoshebe, who is studying indigenous food security strategies for climate change adaptation in the rural areas of the North West.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, encouraged more women to participate in science.  She said, "The WISA finalists and winners will be invited to participate in science awareness campaigns led by the Department to serve as role models for other women, particularly young girls."

Prof. Glenda Gray, President of the Medical Research Council, delivered the keynote address. “Looking at the history of women in science, it is apparent that women have struggled long and hard to be recognised as legitimate scientists, and that women of colour are confronted with a double jeopardy of both race and gender, not only in South Africa, but at a global level,” said Prof Gray

“As a medical scientist, I must add, history has made me quite proud of the way medical science has embraced women, even from the middle ages! So, although women in the middle ages were excluded from universities, the attitude to educating women in the medical fields has always been more liberal than in any other field. However, it is appalling that I could find only one record of a woman physician holding a chair at a medical school as late as the 11^th century. This physician held a chair at a Medical School, and she specialised in obstetrics and gynecology. But this is one woman amongst many men,” she added.

END

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology

For more information, contact Veronica Mohapeloa, 082 882 3818 orveronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za