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?

As a structural engineering academic, the impact of my research varies from the immediate to long term, but predominantly on the medium to longer term. Little of my research has immediate impact on the construction industry, and mostly in the form of specialist advice and consulting on particular problems encountered in active construction projects. On the other end of the time scale, I take pride in the long-term impact that excellent research student graduates make through their careers in our industry as leading practicing structural engineers, or as professors. Right now, I believe my team’s research is at the verge of significantly impacting our society and industry, through our leading research on 3D printing of concrete structures. This high-tech construction method promises high construction productivity, sustained career paths in construction, and quality housing across the spectrum from low and middle-income, to affluent housing and infrastructure.

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

The seemingly unsurmountable challenges facing South Africa, considering especially youth unemployment, but more directly related to my research field, lack of decent housing and infrastructure to support a thriving economy, demands innovation. For more than 25 years we have run mass house building programs, yet remained unsuccessful in eliminating and even reducing the backlog. However, hanging on to the well-known, a characteristic of both the risk averse construction industry and communities through societal preferences, must be overcome in a creative, convincing and responsible way, rather than simply to disrupt industry and society.

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

One of my early-career mentors emphasised the requirement of good students, research topics and funding. Importantly, acquiring one or two out of these three does not cut it! Stellenbosch University offers excellent support in research funding opportunities, and assistance in liaising with finding bodies toward appropriate application strategy given the strong competitive nature. Most researchers understand these needs very well, but at times, it is near impossible to beat the odds in acquiring funding, and hence good students. A particularly vulnerable period is the early career stage of a researcher. I appeal all academics to consider and recognise the clear benefits to themselves and emerging researchers, by supporting them through co-supervision, co-authorship and co-funding.

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

Undoubtedly the students. Working with brilliant young researchers is not only an honour, but a pleasure and stimulating. Having students reach the level where you become a spectator rather than advisor or supervisor, to me is the ultimate accomplishment. The enduring impact that I claim lies in former students practising in industry nationally and internationally and those who have become academics. Equally, meeting student expectation, and mentoring a student to identify her or his talents and passion, are challenging.

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

Find a supervisor, collaborators and mentors whose work you admire, to study and work with. My deliberate choice of supervisors, and those I opted to collaborate with since, have shaped my career and person. My personal idol and role model in my research subject fields may be embarrassed should I reveal him here, yet I am indebted to him for many conversations and tough debate. Together, we lead international research groups ending in works I am proud to have co-authored or edited with him. Of course you have to dare venturing into new directions as you progress through career phases toward full research independence and identity, but that builds on the confidence gained from mentorship.

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?

I really miss frequent face-to-face interaction with students and colleagues, and even more, lively think tanks of my research team in the coffee or boardroom. Yet, I am fortunate to have good online facilities that allow me to be productive, and ‘bring my research team to my home office’. There is no replacement for networking during international conferences. I am hopeful to resume that in near future, at a reduced frequency than before C-19. A positive impact is the prospect of countering urbanisation. Already a shift is taking place by professionals relocating to rural towns, where they are fully connected and productive. My preference amongst future visions of cities lies with dispersed settlements rather than mega cities. A challenge is to identify local products and commodities for sustainability through dominant self-reliance of such communities.

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

Jogging along hiking trails on the Stellenbosch mountain slopes through fynbos and forests keeps me in decent physical and mental shape. Hot afternoon encounters with the odd pofadder or Cape Cobra, or an early morning glimpse of a caracal add to the fun and reality check that we really are in a beautiful and relatively unspoilt part of the world! I also recommend following the rich live, original music scene in Stellenbosch and surrounds.