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