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 focuses on how human rights law both within South Africa and internationally can contribute to the eradication of poverty and inequality both within South Africa and globally. Recently, I have also started to work on the interrelationship between human rights, environmental sustainability, and the climate crisis. Through participating in government and civil society seminars and training programmes and making my research accessible to the public through media articles, I seek to influence public policy in my field of research. I was also able to draw on my socio-economic rights research to make an international impact by serving a four year term as member and (for the last two years) as Vice-Chair of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

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

Researchers can have a major impact by contributing to the search for solutions to the major challenges of our current era – poverty, inequality, climate change and environmental destruction. Through sound research and innovative solutions, researchers can help make the world a better place for current and future generations.

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

Researchers are also academic citizens and have to juggle the multiple balls of research, teaching, postgraduate supervision, administration, service to the University and community. Sustainable funding and sound administrative support is vital so that researchers can focus on the substance of their research as opposed to getting lost in an endless treadmill of administration and reporting.

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

I am passionate about my research on human rights, and enjoy applying the theoretical approaches to contemporary problems. The aspects I find most challenging is the juggling of multiple commitments and finding enough time to focus on my research projects.

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

Identify one or two key research objectives that will have a major impact on your career as a researcher in the next 2 – 3 years. These could include, for example, completing one’s doctorate; writing a book; presenting at a number of high impact conferences. Work out how much time (realistically) you need to achieve these goals and then carve out dedicated and “sacred” research time in your diary to focus on these projects.

Learn to say “no” to invitations or commitments that take you away from, rather than towards the achievement of these goals. It is better to say a clear “no” upfront than to find one does not have the time or capacity to deliver a quality product. These are lessons that I still struggle with, but increasingly realise how important they are.

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?

On the positive side, we have come to realise how much can be done through virtual meetings and events. Although they cannot replace all forms of in-person meetings, conferences etc, they can help reduce travel time and associated costs. Virtual gatherings can also reduce our carbon footprint, which we as academics have not taken as seriously as we should.

On the down side, the pandemic has also blurred the boundaries between home and work, and this has not, in my view, been a healthy development. It has also put a tremendous strain on academics with young children or elderly relatives. Hopefully, the academic community will take from the pandemic the need to find more humane ways to balance work and family responsibilities. And to take mental health more seriously!

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

Home online yoga with Adriene Mischler; reading; walks and birdwatching with my husband and dogs; vegetable gardening