Page 38 - Transformation Report 2021

Five professors at Nelson Mandela University were rated researchers of the university remains largely white,

recognised as leading national and international scholars middle-aged males. The A and B categories of researchers

in their fields. They received the prestigious title of are entirely white, with only two (17 percent) B-rated
Distinguished Professor in recognition of their dedication females out of 12 researchers. This pattern is also evident in

and commitment. They are Professors Paul Watts, the demographic profile of researchers that have disclosed
Darelle van Greunen, Ilse Truter, Andre Calitz and Janine new inventions in the past, where white male researchers
Adams. They join current Distinguished Professors at the are in the majority and female researchers are significantly
University, namely Professors Danie Hattingh and Graham under-represented. The number of rated researchers has

Kerley. The university has also appointed several other remained stagnant over time and the diversity of the rated
honorary, emeritus, and adjunct professors to assist with researchers requires urgent attention.
research supervision and publications.
The university hosts 16 research chairs (see Table 17), with

Transformation within the flagship programmes of NRF- three of the most recently appointed chairs being Black,

rated researchers, Research Chairs, and entities impacted two of whom are contributing to the revitalisation of the

research leadership. In 2021, there were 85 rated humanities, and the third is linked to the Medical School.

researchers at the university, of which 17 are Black (20 Future endeavours will focus on growing the pool of

percent) and 68 (80 percent) were White. The gender research chairs with an emphasis on those who are funded

distribution is 28 females (33 percent) and 57 males (67 externally or by industry.
percent). The demographic profile of the established and
TABLE 18:
LIST OF ALL THE CHAIRS ACTIVE IN 2021
AFFILIATION
NAME OF CHAIR HOLDER NAME OF RESEARCH CHAIR
(DEPARTMENT, FACULTY)
SARChi Chair in Identities and
1 Professor AM Hurst Philosophy, Humanities
Social Cohesion in Africa
2 Professor AT Lombard SARChi Chair in Marine Spatial Planning ICMR, DvC RII
3 Professor J Adams SARCHi Chair Shallow Water Ecosystems Botany, Science
4 Professor P Watts SARCHi Chair Microfluidic Bio/Chemical processing Chemistry, Science
5 Professor P Vrancken SARChi Chair in Law of the Sea Law
6 Professor MJ Roberts SA-UK Bilateral Chair in Food Security ICMR, DvC RII

Chair for Critical Studies in
7 Professor A Keet CriSHET, DvC RII
Higher Education Transformation
Building and Human
8 Professor SJ Mbanga Chair in Human Settlements
Settlements, EBET
9 Professor I Gorlach Isuzu Chair in Mechatronics Mechatronics, EBET

10 Mr K du Preez merSETA: Engineering Development Engineering, EBET

DHET/DST SARChi Chair in Community Adult and
11 Professor S Vally Hosted by UJ
Worker Education (hosted with UJ)
UNESCO Chair in Physical activity and Health Human Movement
12 Professor C Walter in Educational Settings. Co-hosted with University Science, Health Science
of Basel, Switzerland

Research Chair: Youth Unemployment,
13 Dr L Powell CriSHET, DvC ET
Employability & Empowerment
Sociology and Anthropology,
14 Professor R Boswell Ocean Cultures and Heritage
Humanities
15 Professor P Gqola African Feminist Imaginations Sociology, Humanities

16 Professor H Thimm DAAD Chair in ICT for Sustainable Development To be finalised

38 | 2021