Invitation to Open Webinar: Consultation on Coalition Building & Collaborative Solutions: A Practitioner’s View

Dear Colleagues: 

I hope you are doing great. I am sharing with you an invitation for the Webinar "Consultation on Coalition Building & Collaborative Solutions: A Practitioner’s View".

When: Friday, November 21st, 12.30 p.m. Eastern Time (New York time)

Where: Register free at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scra-webinar-4-consultation-on-coalition-building-collaborative-solutions-a-practitioners-view-tickets-14154214637

In this e-mail I include information about the Webinar as well as the presenter, Dr. Thomas Wolff. 

Feel free to distribute this invitation among your networks, and let me know in case you have any questions. 

Thank you very much,

Carlos Luis, for SCRA's Online Learning Initiative.

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WEBINAR #4 Details: 

This SCRA online learning opportunity will present an overview of a consultation practice in the area of coalition building, collaborative solutions and community development.  Using specific examples, Dr. Tom Wolff will describe how clients request help and what they want. The Webinar #4 format will be a sample training led by Dr. Wolff, including exercises that are similar to trainings he provides to community coalitions.

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Learning objectives:

1.      Participants will understand core issues in developing a consulting practice focused on coalition building.

2.      Participants will understand the six principles of collaborative solutions.

3.      Participants will explore tools to help coalitions engage the community in their work.

· Register via Eventbrite by Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 5PM Eastern. 

· You will receive an invitation via email from GlobalMeet to log-in on Friday, November 21 at 12:30PM Eastern at https://scra.pgimeet.com/SCRA.

· Log-in as a guest.

Be sure to tweet about this event mentioning @scra and using Hashtag #SCRAsocial

Introducing our presenter:

Tom Wolff, Ph.D., is a community psychologist committed to issues of social justice and building healthy communities through collaborative solutions. A nationally recognized consultant on coalition building and community development, he has a lifetime of experience training and consulting with individuals, organizations, and communities across North America and around the globe.

Tom has published numerous resources to help communities solve their own problems. His most recent book is The Power of Collaborative Solutions – Six principles and effective tools for building health communities published by Jossey Bass-John Wiley in early 2010.His earlier writings on coalition building include From the Ground Up: A Workbook on Coalition Building and Community Development (with Gillian Kaye, 1997) and The Spirit of the Coalition (with Bill Berkowitz, 2000; American Public Health Association).
He presently runs Tom Wolff & Associates- www.tomwolff.com. in Amherst, Massachusetts. Consulting clients include federal, state, and local government agencies; foundations; hospitals; nonprofit organizations; professional associations; and grassroots groups.
In 2014 Tom was awarded the American Psychological Associations’ Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Independent Practice.

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Invitation to the HSRC Seminar Series in collaboration with PANSALB: Children think knowledge is bliss; mothers think ignorance is bliss: undisclosed father identity in South Africa

Invitation

 The HSRC Seminar Series in collaboration with PANSALB

Children think knowledge is bliss; mothers think ignorance is bliss: undisclosed father identity in South Africa

Speaker: Dr Mzi Nduna, Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand

Venues in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town (Videoconferencing facilities: see below)

Date: 11 November 2014

Time: 12H15 for 12h30  – 13H30   

Life trajectories of children with no connection and support from their fathers have received research attention. Within this group is a sub-group who do not know their fathers. This presentation is based on four studies conducted by the presenter and her colleagues in an attempt to better understand this phenomenon. The studies were based in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape provinces.

Kindly RSVP by 9 November 2014

Cape Town : HSRC, 12th Floor, Plein Park Building (Opposite Revenue Office), Plein Street, Cape Town. Contact Jean Witten, Tel (021) 4668004, Fax (021) 461 0299, or JWitten@hsrc.ac.za

Durban :  First floor HSRC board room, 750 Francois Road, Ntuthuko Junction, Pods 5 and 6, Cato Manor, Contact Ridhwaan Khan, Tel (031) 242 5400, cell: 083 788 2786 or RKhan@hsrc.ac.za

Pretoria : HSRC Video Conference, 1st floor HSRC Library Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Arlene Grossberg, Tel: (012) 302 2811, e-mail: acgrossberg@hsrc.ac.za

7th South African AIDS Conference at the Durban ICC from 9-12 June 2015: Abstract submission is now open

Abstract submission is now open for the 7th South African AIDS Conference 2015

We invite you to present your research, your successful programmes and innovative interventions and best practices for consideration to  be part of the programme at the South African AIDS Conference at the Durban ICC from 9-12 June 2015. The Conference  provides a platform for researchers and practitioners to share their work and ideas and creates collaboration and partnerships.

Submit a 300 word concept paper or abstract that describes your research, your projects and the results before the 20 January 2015 deadline. And invite your fellow partner organizations or community projects that have shown positive (or negative) results. Join us and exchange ideas with funders, scientists, medical practitioners, social scientists, economists and the community as well as representatives from the public sector, NGOs, the faith-based sectors and the corporate sector.

The Conference theme is “Reflection, Refocus and Renewal” and will cover the following tracks:

Track 1: Basic and Clinical Sciences
Track 2: Epidemiology, Prevention and Public Health
Track 3: Social, Economic Sciences and Human Rights
Track 4: Best Practices, Programmes and Ethics
Track 5: Community Exchange Encounters

You are invited to submit abstracts to become part of this all important Conference via the Conference website at www.saaids.com

Submitting abstracts for either oral or poster presentation at the Conference gives you a unique opportunity to play a leading role in setting the HIV and AIDS agenda going forward. This Conference creates a platform wherein all scientists (basic and social), clinicians, activists and community workers can showcase their significant contribution towards curbing the dual TB and HIV epidemics. We encourage you not to miss out on the chance to provide a meaningful contribution to debates on the impact of HIV infection on other infectious diseases, social and ethical issues as well as provision of healthcare in general.

We believe that the cross-pollination of ideas and best practices between research and practice is critical to solving our challenges. The Programme Committee reflects this diversity and includes twenty-four education experts from the research and practice community who will select the best papers for inclusion in the final programme.

Please take advantage of the early registration discount that is now available at R4560 (incl VAT)

To view the Conference Programme outline click here

To view the Conference Track descriptors click here

To submit an abstract click here 

For booking of any Travel Arrangements you can visit the website at www.saaids.com or simply click on any of the following links:
• Accommodation
• Transfers
• Flights

For more information on the Conference, please visit  www.saaids.com and link to our social networks for discussions and updates at:



We look forward to your contribution towards the Conference

With kind regards

Dr Nono Simelela
Conference Chairperson                                       
Advisor to the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa

Ms Mary Crewe
Conference Co-Chairperson
Co-Director, Centre for the Study of AIDS   

Notes on the 2014 AGM of the PsySSA Community and Social Psychology (CaSP) Division

Dear members and friends of the PsySSA Community and Social Psychology (CaSP) Division,

The AGM of the PsySSA Community and Social Psychology (CaSP) Division took place from 17h30 to 19h00 on Thursday, 18 September 2014 during the 20^th PsySSA Congress at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. Only after completion of the session did we realised that no one took notes of the discussions and we therefore have to rely on memory in sharing some feedback on the discussions. Will try our best!

Context of the meeting

The Chair of the Division for Research and Methodology (DRM), Prof Sumaya Laher proposed that we combine the AGMs of the CaSP and DRM as these meetings were scheduled for the same time slot and some members present at the congress and at the meetings serves on both divisions. Those present supported the idea. The combined session was subsequently divided into three parts: first the discussions relating to CaSP, second the discussions relating to DRM and, third an integrated discussion of the shared interests of the members of the two divisions.

Apologies

Received from Wiehann Rademann

In attendance

Puleng Segalo, Nkateko Manabe, Suntosh Pillay, Eduard Fourie, Angelo Fynn, Martin Terre Blanche, Ronelle Carolissen, Gerda Bender, Vanessa Scherman, Janeen Prinsloo, Lee Anne Molobela, Gaogalalelwe Katide (as well as members of the DRM)

A brief overview of the history of the division was provided and members were reminded of the division’s blog - http://psyssacns.blogspot.com/ - and were encouraged to click on the relevant icon on the blog should they wish to receive email notifications of new posts.  Members were invited to respond to any items discussed during the annual PsySSA AGM that took place on the previous day, and were reminded that PsySSA’s 2014 – 2018 Strategic Plan is available on the website. Talking money: members were reminded to pay their annual membership fees.

The CaSP Division hosted a series of individual papers as well as three symposia at this year’s congress. The three symposia were, (1) Social Psychology in South Africa: Challenges, possibilities and implications chaired by Puleng Segalo, (2) Inside-out Outside-in: Prison studies and communities chaired by Eduard Fourie, and (3) Volunteer experiences of psych student society’s community placement chaired by M Chown.

Towards the future:

(1)  Members of the division will continue to actively market the division and invite new members, student members and associates to join the division. A suggestion was made that student members of PsySSA should be allowed to register for the CaSP Division for free. Members and other interested parties are invited to join the division’s blog and to share information that we can post on the blog. The blog will continue to be one of the key engagement spaces where information about events, projects, interesting readings, community initiatives, research initiatives, etc., will be shared. A suggestion was made to make use of Webinars, to invite members and guests to speak on a specific topic during a specific time slot. All are welcome to email contributions to Eduard Fourie at fourime@unisa.ac.za or Carien du Plessis at cariendupl@gmail.com.

(2)  The Division will continue to support the Inside-out Outside-in Prison Studies and Communities Initiative. For more on the initiative, visit the website at http://insideoutoutsidein.co.za/ or contact Carien du Plessis at dplescm@unisa.ac.za for more information on how to get involved.

(3)  The Division, together with DRM and the Student Division will participate in the 2015 Southern African Students’ Psychology Conference. The conference will provide an opportunity for student members to share and reflect on their community engagement initiatives and related research projects.

(4)  The Division will be actively involved in the 6th International Conference on Community Psychology that will be hosted in Cape Town in 2016. Various members of the CaSP Division recently attended and presented at the 5^th International Conference on Community Psychology which was held in Fortaleza in Brazil. We are looking forward to continue the engagement and networking with representatives from other countries.

(5)  The Division will continue exploring the idea of mapping the teaching of community psychology at tertiary institutions in South Africa. This item has been discussed at each AGM over the last couple of years and we could consider the upcoming conferences – mentioned in 3 and 4 above – as an opportunity to present on the history and the story of community psychology teaching.

CASP Exec Members for 2015

Chair: Eduard Fourie

Vice-Chair and Treasurer: Puleng Segalo

Secretary: Wiehann Rademan

Additional members: Nkateko Manabe, Suntosh PIllay, Lavanya Pillay

New Additional members: Ronelle Carolissen, Gerda Bender

Post AGM discussions: we suggest that we invite student member, Carien du Plessis to join us on the Exec. Carien will assist with the further development of the division’s online spaces and in scheduling webinars.

Compiled by Eduard Fourie & Puleng Segalo

September 2014

Invitation to the September GR@UP Seminar at UP: 21st Century African Homophobia and the Roman Laws on Same-Sex Sexual Acts

You are cordially invited to the September GR@UP Seminar:

Presented by, Susan Haskins of the University of Pretoria, Department of Ancient Languages

Date:    Thursday 25th September 2014

Time:    15h30 – 17h00

Place:    Research Commons Seminar Room, 4th Level, Merenskey Library, Hatfield 

In recent years there has been a surge of homophobia across Africa. Among the arguments of this discourse against homosexuality, is that homosexuality is a pattern of behaviour not an orientation, that such behaviour is an import from the West and as such unAfrican. Paradoxically, this discourse also argues that homosexuality is against religion, where the religion referred to is Christianity, another Western import. However, one of the most dangerous manifestations of homophobia, especially in the former British colonies of sub-Saharan Africa, has been attempts not just to socially condemn but to legally prosecute homosexual acts. 

Such legal persecution has been possible due to the presence within the Penal Code of these countries of laws against ‘unnatural’ sexual acts. These laws can be traced back not just to Britain but to the first codified laws against same-sex acts in the West, namely the laws of the Roman Empire. This study examines the Roman laws on same-sex acts and the consequent creation of a legal concept of sexuality. It then illustrates how, due to the influence of these laws on the formulation of Victorian laws on unnatural acts, the Roman legal concept of sexuality underlies the laws which exist in former British colonies in Africa today. Consequently, this ancient, alien concept is being used to prosecute homosexuality in Africa. Perhaps understanding the socio-historical context of the legal concept of sexuality behind the Roman laws may assist in subverting the law argument of the African homophobic discourse.

The 20th PsySSA Congress

The 20th South African Psychology Congress is taking place from today, 16 September to Friday, 19 September 2014 at the Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

Hope to see you at the various presentations and symposia & at the AGM of the Community and Social Psychology Division at 17h30 on Thursday afternoon, 18 September 2014.

Eduard Fourie

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

Reminder of the 5th International Conference on Community Psychology (ICCP)

The 5^th International Conference on Community Psychology (ICCP) will take place from September 3^rd to 6^th, 2014 in Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil) and will bring together teachers, researchers, students, practitioners, participants and members of social and community movements, in Fortaleza – Ceará.




For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.en.5cipc2014.org/site/capa

Posted by Eduard Fourie
07/07/2014

African Organisation of Community Practice

 Dear CASP Member, 

An invitation to subscribe to the blog www.AfroCP.org.za and keep in touch with community​ practice in Africa. 

  

Kind regards

Wiehann Rademan

6th Annual International Crime, Media and Popular Culture Studies Conference: A Cross Disciplinary Exploration, 22 to 24 September 2014

6th Annual International Crime, Media and Popular Culture Studies Conference: A Cross Disciplinary Exploration
22nd to 24th September 2014
Terre Haute,Indiana United States of America

This is a multidisciplinary conference for those engaged in research, teaching and practices associated with the intersection between crime, deviance, social justice, and/or law with that of media and popular culture. Completed paper is not required. Each evening conference attendees go to local restaurants for dinner and live music performed by some of the conference attendees.

Enquiries: cmpc@indstate.edu
Web address: http://www.indstate.edu/ccj/popcultureconference/index.htm

Featured Speakers:

Jeff Ferrell, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Texas Christian University

SpearIt, Ph.D., J.D.
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Texas Southern University
"Sonic Jihad: Muslim Hip Hop in the Age of Mass Incarceration"

Travis Linnemann, Ph.D.
Department of Justice Studies
Eastern Kentucky University
"Capote's Ghosts: Violence, Media and the Spectre of Suspicion"

Michael Chemers, Ph.D.
Department of Theater Arts
University of California
"Call a Wolf, Invite the Pack'; Monstrous Jurisprudence and the Legal Werewolf"

Emily Satterwhite, Ph.D.
Department of Religion and Culture
Virginia Tech
"Fearing and Celebrating the Rural as Deviant in Horror Movies"

Tukufu Zuberi, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology
University of Pennsylvania

Jon Simons, Ph.D.
Department of Communication and Culture
Indiana University Bloomington
"Happy are those who act justly': Visual representations of the crimes of occupation through social media"

Jen Schradie
Department of Sociology
University of California Berkeley
"The Seven Myths of the Digital Divide: How Class, Race and Ethnicity Clash with Internet Utopia"

Kishonna Leah Gray, Ph.D.
School of Justice Studies
College of Justice and Safety
Eastern Kentucky University
"Punishing Blackness in Xbox Live: Exploring the Significance of Race in a Virtual Gaming Community"

Additional Event

By Appointment Only
TOUR OF THE EUGENE V. DEBS HOME AND MUSEUM
http://debsfoundation.org/
http://debsfoundation.org/tourhome.html

International Workshop: Violence against Women and Children in Diverse Contexts, 3-6 March 2015

An International Workshop at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa led by Ingrid Palmary, African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), School of Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, and Nicky Stanley, Connect Centre, School of Social Work University of Central Lancashire, UK.

This workshop will bring together researchers from across the UK and South Africa to identify differences and commonalities in the conditions informing violence against women and children in South Africa and the UK.  The comparative nature of the workshop will promote reflection and stimulate new ideas and approaches to research in this field. The workshop will be multi-disciplinary and researchers with up to 10 years of post-doctoral experience (or the equivalent research experience) from the fields of social work, psychology, sociology, social policy, health studies and criminology are invited to participate.

The workshop will deliver a varied and exciting programme of events including key speakers and oral or poster presentations from all participants.  Abstracts should be submitted in line with the following themes:

· Understanding gender and violence across the lifecourse and across diverse contexts;

· Interpersonal violence, political violence and their connections;

· Mobility and gender based violence;

· Violence against women and children and the connections and disconnections between the two;

· Global and local understandings of violence against women and children in an age of globalization;

· Policy and practice responses in diverse contexts.

The workshop will aim to:
i. Improve participants’ knowledge about key issues in research on violence against women and children;

ii. Develop understanding of a range of research methods and their applicability to this area of research;

iii. Provide opportunities to network and build international research relationships;

iv.  Set up sustainable mentoring and collaborative relationships;

v.  Assist researchers to develop research that has influence.

Applications for places at the workshop should be made by 31 August 2014. This workshop is supported by the British Council who will cover travel and accommodation costs for successful applicants. Places are limited and successful applicants will be those whose abstracts are consistent with the themes. Successful applicants will be informed by the end September 2014.

To apply please go to: https://secure.myjotform.com/Acmscomm/www.applicationform.com

For any queries please contact Ingrid Palmary (South Africa) ingrid.palmary@wits.ac.za and Khatidja Chantler (UK) kchantler@uclan.ac.uk.

Sexuality and gender: marginalisation, participation, transformation

Sexuality and gender: marginalisation, participation, transformation

This studentship is hosted by the Transforming Sexuality and Gender research cluster. The research cluster draws together scholars from critical psychology, human geography, sociology, media, criminology, sport and leisure, and health studies to create a theoretically rich and methodologically creative hub of research activity.

The project is being led by Dr Katherine Johnson supported by Dr Kath Browne, Dr Hannah Frith, Dr Olu Jenzen and Dr Megan Chawansky.

For additional information on the project and how to apply please contact Fiona Sutton at F.J.Sutton@brighton.ac.uk or on +44 (0)1273 641065

Detailed project description

The successful candidate will be located in the School of Applied Social Science, supported by access to new qualitative and visual research facilities and will be co-supervised by academics from more than one discipline. The project is expected to provide empirical evidence and offer significant methodological innovation by drawing on qualitative, visual and participatory-community approaches.

Current research priorities in the cluster are to investigate intersectional forms of marginalisation and develop understanding of experience, politics, policy and practice in under researched areas locally, nationally or internationally. The proposed research should aim to improve knowledge about how sexuality and/or gender experiences are formed in the context of marginalisation, exclusion and stigmatisation, and contribute to social justice, community-engagement and transformation agendas.

Funding information

This studentship is worth at least £60,000 over three years, subject to satisfactory progress. For UK/EU students this comprises £4,530 per year to cover annual tuition fees and a contribution towards living expenses of £15,470 per year. For suitable students from outside of the UK/EU the funding will be £13,840 per year to cover annual international tuition fees and a contribution towards living expenses of £6,160 per year. The contribution available towards living costs will rise annually in line with inflation. The value of the studentship will also be raised to take into account any rise in annual tuition fees.

Entry requirements

Candidates are invited to submit their own proposals for original research within these parameters but we particularly welcome applications on the following topics: 

• Mediated sexualities
• Ageing
• Mental health and distress
• Homophobia/Biphobia/Transphobia
• LGBT/Queer activisms
• New/Contemporary Feminisms
• Sport and Leisure (particularly in development contexts)
• Youth participation/exclusion and well-being

Potential applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably have/expect to achieve a Masters degree or equivalent by October 2014 with excellent grades in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university. Applicants whose first language is not English, must have either obtained a UK Masters degree or successfully completed a Secure English Language Test (SELT) within the last two years that satisfies one of the University’s English Language requirements as listed here

Closing date for applications is Thursday 19th June 2014 at 4.00pm

_________________________________

Dr Katherine Johnson

Reader in Psychology and

AHoS, Psychology and Psychotherapy Division

Ke a leboha

Dr. Puleng Segalo

(Moradi wa Batshweneng)

Senior Lecturer:Social and Community Psychology

Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 392, Unisa, Pretoria, 0003

Tel: +27 12 4298292

Message from the PsySSA Office: Prof Siphiwe Ngcobo (Past President)

Message from the PsySSA Office:

It is with utmost sadness that we have to inform you that we have lost one of our dearest members: Prof Siphiwe Ngcobo (Past President) was fatally shot under suspicious circumstances after attending a family function over the weekend.

We are at a loss for words and deeply disturbed that our colleague and friend died in such a violent manner. Prof Ngcobo was one of our most competent and dynamic presidents and lead PsySSA to even greater heights during his two terms. As you may recall, he was one of the co-signatories of the recent letter on violence that PsySSA wrote to the President of South Africa - it is utterly regrettable that he fell victim to those very actions PsySSA expressed concern with. The Society will feel the effects of his death for a long time.

Our hearts go out to his family and friends. The funeral will be held on Saturday in Richards Bay - we will keep you informed of further details as they become available. May Siphiwe’s soul rest in peace.

Kind Regards

Ms Fatima Seedat

PsySSA Office Manager

Reminder of the invitation to participate in two symposia at the 20th PsySSA Congress

The Community and Social Psychology Division is in the process of submitting abstracts for two symposia to be considered for the 20^th PsySSA Congress in September 2014. We invite PsySSA members and other interested parties to participate in these presentations and discussions:

Symposium 1

Social Psychology in South Africa today: Challenges, possibilities and implications

Social psychology in South Africa continues to be a crucial sub-discipline which aims to interrogate and take seriously issues of social justice.  Though espousing an expanded purview that considers social situations in which people are found, it continues to be populated and dominated by knowledges and theorizing from the West. This presents itself as a challenge as it almost assumes a universal way of understanding people’s lived experiences which has been argued by many as problematic. Much of the teaching in social psychology continues to be dependent on imported theories and an assumption of universal application. There is a need for critical reflection on the applicability of social psychology in the present South African context. This symposium seeks to offer space for this reflection through highlighting some of the challenges of uncritically applying imported theories and methodologies, possibilities of the sub-discipline in the country today, and the implications thereof.

For more information contact Dr Puleng Segalo at segalpj@unisa.ac.za

Symposium 2

Inside-out Outside-in: Prison experiences and communities

This symposium seeks to engage community psychology approaches and perspectives to the diverse communities that exist in and around correctional systems. The focus will be on initiatives that cross the boundaries between the inside and outside of prisons. Examples are the development of tertiary education opportunities for prisoners, issues of social reintegration and recidivism after release, issues relating to the families and relatives of prisoners, and the collaborative generation and dissemination of knowledge about prison experiences and circumstances.

For more information, contact Prof Eduard Fourie at fourime@unisa.ac.za