Q and A

Research for Impact is one of the core strategic themes in SU`s Vision 2020. How does your research relate to that?

My research is related to the creation of gender equality. My three programmes relate to feminist activism and women’s movements, women’s representation in government and policy issues such as gender based violence. The aim of my research programme is determine the conditions that are conducive for the facilitation of gender equality and it informs government policy.

Please give us your impression of the role that research and innovation can play in the betterment of society?

Without rigorous empirical research, especially in the social sciences, it is hard to understand what interventions for social problems should be, especially in a country that grapples with high levels of poverty, inequality, and gender-based violence.

What would you regard as the most important aspects to consider to effectively support researchers?

Research needs the necessary funding, space and time (such as sabbaticals) to do fieldwork and to write up the findings. Researchers also need the support of the university’s Division of Research Development.

What do you enjoy most about your job and what are the aspects that you find challenging?

I love the combination of theory and empirical research. With empirical research we test our theories and improve them. As a political scientist, I find it very challenging that the government does not take notice of research findings. They often reinvent the wheel. I also find the impact of stricter legislation on research with human subjects challenging, because of the premise that researchers can’t be trusted to act in an ethical manner.

What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give early-career researchers?

To become a good established researcher takes time. You have to work on your research on a daily basis, but you also need to ensure a work/life balance otherwise you will suffer from burnout.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the way we work. What, from your point of view, is the most pertinent change and how will this affect your work in the future?

The biggest change is the difficulty to do face to face interviews. For someone like me who does survey research it is really a huge challenge at the moment. We now do telephone interviews but they exclude large sections of the population from our samples.

What do you do for fun (apart from research!)

I am a garagiste wine maker.