A short summary of Nompilo`s research:

My research seeks to understand the role that technology plays in research and supervision, as well as teaching and learning in higher education. I approach my research with a critical lens that seeks a rich understanding of the context where the technology is used, as well as to uncover political dimensions of technology which may serve to hinder certain practices or individuals, while enabling others.  

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

The widespread availability of technology and how embedded it has become in our lives make it difficult to be critical about its role in propagating inequalities in our society. Technology has become widely accepted as an indispensable element that makes our lives easier in various ways. Unfortunately this view makes us less open to recognising the gross inequities engendered by technology and how it perpetuates social and political dynamics, particularly in resource-constrained contexts. My research seeks to bring this critical awareness to the fore and guide technology users in higher education to reflect on their assumptions and prejudices, which may potentially serve to further marginalise those already vulnerable in the teaching, learning and research supervision spaces.

In the ever-changing environment of academia, what are some of the obstacles early career researchers are faced with?

Workload (teaching, committees, administrative, etc.) is a big challenge, making it difficult to meet research goals. Another obstacle is a lack of knowledge in terms of how to recognise what is important for academic growth and actually proceed effectively down that path. There is also not enough support within departmental or disciplinary spaces from more experienced colleagues which would be helpful to ECRs as they navigate their way into the discipline.

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

Providing them with spaces and resources to grow – but also guidance in terms of how to effectively tap into these.

What excites you about your work?   

The results of my labour – seeing how my research challenges the common sense and accepted ways of thinking about technology.   

When you're not in the lab, library or in the field conducting research, what do you do to unwind?

Cooking is my creative space, hanging out with my family is my happy place, and walking by the beach is my rejuvenating space.

What advice, if any, would you look to impart to future early career academics?

Set your goals for the next five to ten years quite early in your academic career, and put in place (or tap into) resources, training and opportunities to make them happen. It is very easy to get caught up in the urgent functions within our spaces and realise after a few years that we have not really grown as academics. Also, get a mentor – or two!

Connect with Nompilo and her work!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nompilo-tshuma-phd-1735323/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/nompilotshuma

GoogleScholar:https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=IkPIzC0AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra