Tertiary training
2005 BSc. (Biological Sciences), University of South Africa

2012 MSc. (Disaster Management), University of the Free State

2009 Ph.D. (Conservation Ecology), University of the Witwatersrand

                Work experience

April 2013 – December 2014: Ekurhuleni Municipality (Deputy Manager), Bedfordview

March 2019 –September 2019: National Disaster Management (Assistant Director), Pretoria

September 2018 – May 2020: Southern Business School (Part-time lecturer), Johannesburg

June 2020 – present: UFS-DiMTEC (Lecturer; Short Learning Programme coordinator

1. Raphela, T. D. (2021). The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on e-learning among undergraduate students at the University of the free state in South Africa. Social Sciences International Research Conference: e-ISBN number: 978-0-620-96741-9(e-book). SSIRC 2021-051; Published in a Conference Proceedings Online 13-15 October 2021
2. Raphela, T. D., & Pillay, N. 2021. Explaining the effect of crop-raiding on food Security of subsistence farmers of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 232: https://doi:10.3389/fsufs.2021.687177
3. Raphela, T. D., & Pillay, N. 2021. Influence of Wildlife Crop Raiding on Subsistence Farmers` Food Security Adjacent to Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Conservation and Society, 19(2), 111. https://doi:10.4103/cs.cs_20_102
4. Raphela, T.D. and Pillay, N., 2021. Quantifying the nutritional and income loss caused by crop raiding in a rural African subsistence farming community in South Africa. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1102/jamba.v13i1.1040\
5. Raphela, T.D., and Kevin, D., 2022. The impact of Lantana camara on invertebrates and plant species of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa. Zoological Studies, 61(33). https://doi.org/10.6620/ZS.2022.61-33
6. Raphela, T. D. (2022). The effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of students in the free state province, south. Social Sciences International Research Conference: e-ISBN number: e-ISBN number: 978-0-6397-8736-7 (e-book). SSIRC 2022-055; Published in a Conference Proceedings Online 19-21 October 2022. Pgs 497-511 Pgs         
7. Raphela, T. D.  and Maisiri M. K. (2022). The changes in evening screen exposure and sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Sciences International Research Conference: e-ISBN number: 978-0-6397-8736-7 (e-book. SSIRC 2022-056; Published in a Conference Proceedings Online 19-21 October 2022. Pgs 512-523. 
8. Raphela, T. D., and Kevin J. Duffy. Effects of the Density of Invasive Lantana camara Plants on the Biodiversity of Large and Small Mammals in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve (GNR) in South Africa." Biology 12, no. 2 (2023): 296.

1. Raphela, T. D., & Pillay, N. 2021. Explaining the effect of crop-raiding on food Security of subsistence farmers of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 232: https://doi:10.3389/fsufs.2021.687177

2. Raphela, T. D., & Pillay, N. 2021. Influence of Wildlife Crop Raiding on Subsistence Farmers` Food Security Adjacent to Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Conservation and Society, 19(2), 111. https://doi:10.4103/cs.cs_20_102

3. Raphela, T.D. and Pillay, N., 2021. Quantifying the nutritional and income loss caused by crop raiding in a rural African subsistence farming community in South Africa. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1102/jamba.v13i1.1040\

4. Raphela, T.D., and Kevin, D., 2022. The impact of Lantana camara on invertebrates and plant species of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa. Zoological Studies, 61(33). https://doi.org/10.6620/ZS.2022.61-33  

5. Raphela, T. D., and Kevin J. Duffy. Effects of the Density of Invasive Lantana camara Plants on the Biodiversity of Large and Small Mammals in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve (GNR) in South Africa." Biology 12, no. 2 (2023): 296.  https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12020296

Conference/Symposium Papers presented.  

1. Raphela T. D. 2023. The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Mental Impacts on Motor Industry Workers in South Africa. The 7^th International Symposium on Natural Hazard-Triggered Technological Accidents. (Pre-recorded International Scientific Conference Natech 2023 (Virtual). IDRM, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. 20-30^th June 2023

2. Raphela T. D. 2023. Fire safety management in the artificial intelligence era in developing countries. (Pre-recorded International Scientific Conference, virtual). University of Public Services, Institute of Disaster Management, Hungary. 26 April 2023. https://vedelem.hu/letoltes/document/585-isbn-978-615-01-8104-2.pdf

3. Raphela T. D. and Kevin D. 2023. The impact of Lantana camara on invertebrates and plant species of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa. 5th Global Change Conference: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. 31 January-02 February 2023.

4. Raphela T. D. 2022. Farming on hilly terrains of South Africa. The 1st International Southern African Mountain Conference (oral in-person presentation): The Drakensberg, South Africa. 14-17 March 2022.

5. Raphela T. D and Pillay N. 2022. The levels of crop raiding by rodents and primates in a subsistence farming community, in South Africa. Intersol2022: EAI the 5th International Conference on Innovations and interdisciplinary solutions for underserved areas (Virtual Oral Presentation): Abuja, Nigeria. 22-24 March 2022.

6. Raphela T. D.  2022. Relationship between mental health and COVID-19 amongst the University students in South Africa. The 5th International Conference on Research in Social Sciences (RSSCONF): (Virtual Oral presentation): Paris, France. 08-10 April 2022.

7. Raphela T. D. and Ncube A.  2022. The Health Impact of shack fires on an informal settlement in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The 2nd Fire Engineering and Disaster Management. (Pre-recorded International Scientific Conference). University of Public Services, Institute of Disaster Management, Hungary. 26 April 2022.

8. Raphela T. D.  2022. The well-being of university students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.13th Dealing with Disaster Conference, New Castle, North Umbria University, UK. 09-10 June April 2022.

9. Raphela T. D. and Hlalele BM. 2022. Modeling external risk to agricultural development projects using a Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDIs) and Standardized Precipitation Indices (SPI), Switzerland, 21-25 June 2022.

10. Raphela T. D. 2022. Hospitals Resilience in the Free State Province, Japan, Tokyo, 21-23 September 2022.

11. Raphela T. D. 2022. The Health Care System vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19. The 5^th biennial Southern Africa Society for Disaster Reduction (SASDiR). Malawi, 26-28 October 2022

12. Raphela T.D. 2022. The effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of students in the free state province, south Africa. Intercontinental Hotel, Mauritius, 19-21 October 2022

13. Raphela T.D. and Maisiri K.M. 2022. The Changes in Evening Screen exposure and Sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Intercontinental Hotel, Mauritius, 19-21 October 2022

14. Raphela T. D. and Pillay N. 2021. Energy and income cost of crop raiding to subsistence homesteads abutting the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Nature-based solutions, gender equity and interconnectivity for climate resilience in Africa. EAI 4th International Conference on innovations and interdisciplinary solutions for underserved areas (Virtual poster presentation): Nairobi, Kenya. 12-13 April 2021.

15. Raphela T. D. and Pillay N. 2021. Crop Raiding by Wildlife of the neighboring conservation area on subsistence homesteads in Northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. 3rd International Symposium on Biodiversity Research (Virtual Oral presentation). Turkey, 20-22 October 2021.

16. Raphela T. D. 2021. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on e-learning among undergraduate students at the university of the free state in South Africa. Social Sciences International Research Conference (Virtual Oral presentation): Northwest University, 13-15 October 2021.

17. Raphela T. D and Dufy K. 2020. Effects of Lantana camara on small mammals’ biodiversity of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa. Biodiversity Research Symposium. 2nd international symposium on biodiversity research (Virtual Oral presentation): Rize, Turkey. 18-20 November 2020.

18. Raphela T. D and Pillay N. 2018 Crop raiding behavior of wildlife on subsistence homesteads in Northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Sustainable futures through science and innovation. 4th National Global Change Conference: Bolivia Lodge, Polokwane. 03-06 December 2018.

Social issues interfaced with environmental issues.

Human-wildlife conflict

Disaster Mental and Public Health

Psychosocial impacts of disasters 

Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction

Disaster Mental Health (DIMH 7910)

Disaster Public Health (DIMP5810)

Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (DIMD 7910)

1. Chairperson Secondee of the Faculty Engaged Scholarship Committee (FESCO) committee (Faculty level).

2. General Human Ethics Reviewer (Faculty level).

3. Community Liaison Officer for the (Department level)

4. Occupational Health and safety officer (Department level)

1. Short Learning Program Coordinator (Department level)

Courses coordinated and facilitated.

• 2022 Introduction to Disaster Management (September: Income to UFS: R50 000)

• 2022 Annual Block Course (February-March: Income to UFS: R100.000)

1. Moderator for the Southern Business School for the Disaster Risk Reduction modules

2. Reviewer for the Social Sciences International Research Conference.

3. Reviewer, moderator, and examiner by Lyceum College for Disaster Management modules

4. Article Reviewed: Food security in developing countries: factors and mitigation, Journal: American Journal of Climate Change in 2023. Manuscript Number: 2361276.

5. Article Reviewed: Discrepancy of the law on Disaster Emergency in Indonesia: In Search of an Integrated Law. Journal: JAMBA: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies in 2023. Manuscript Number: 1437.

6. Article Reviewed: Effect of temperature and rainfall variability on selected food crop yields in Wenchi municipality of Ghana.  Journal: American Journal of Climate Change (AJCC): in March 2023. Manuscript Number: 2361241.

7. Article Reviewed: Enhancing Home Security with Pressure Mat Sensors A Multi-Modal IoT Approach. InterSol EIA-2023 Conference:  Manuscript Number: 329489. June 2023

8. Article Reviewed: Implications of Higher Education Reforms on Africa’s Development. The Zimbabwean Perspectives. Social Sciences International Research Conference (SSIRC) 2023:  Manuscript Number: SSIRC 2023-068 P. June 2023

9. Article Reviewed: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on existing organisational culture: implications of changing culture in universities. Social Sciences International Research Conference (SSIRC) 2023:  Manuscript Number: SSIRC 2023-188 P. June 2023

10. Article Reviewed: Steering the Nexus: iZindaba Zokudla and governing for sustainability for Frontier. Author: Naude Malan. on the 21st of July 2021

11. Article Reviewed: Poor self-regulation in eating behavior during the COVID-19 lockdown contributes to weight gain among youth. Journal: Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies in 2022. Manuscript Number: VCY02021-08-1033

12. Article Reviewed: The Distribution of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Farm Produce and its Implications for the Future of food security. Journal: Qeios, Studies in 2022.

13. Article Reviewed: What about Gen Z? Exploring Representations of Childhood and Vulnerability in Canadian Media from the First Wave to the Fourth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Critical Content Analysis. Journal: AIDS Care-Psychology, Health & Medicine- Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies in 2022.

14. Article Reviewed: Psychological distress and its correlation with weight change in young adults in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal: Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies in 2022. Manuscript Number: VCY-2022-07-0790.

15. Article Reviewed: Academic letter entitled: Agricultural Extension and Herbicide toxicity awareness among smallholder farmers in Malawi: Author: Levi Mabanda, for Academia in June 2021

16. Article Reviewed: Academic letter entitled: Human-Wildlife Tourism Conflict: Towards an inclusive wildlife resources utilization approach in Southern Africa Author/s: unknown for now, for GeoJournal in September 2021

1. Invited: Guest Lecturers for a refresher course on “Making Southern African cities greener in a time of climate change: Strategies to reduce water and food production vulnerabilities caused by water extremes” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Dutch organization for internationalisation in education. under the Global Development program, under the topic: Strategies to Reduce Food Insecurity in Times of Climate Change in South Africa: Focus on Poor and Indigenous Communities. The refresher course was held virtually between 26 October and 5 November 2021

2. Invited to speak at the Fire safety at the launch held at Middle Water Farm on the 26^th of May 2022.  Integrated Fire Management Awareness Program is the highest platform constituted by the Free State Provincial Government for fire mitigation Strategies, to conduct fire awareness campaigns around the Free State Province. 

3. Invited to speak on the Jagersfontein tailing dam Provincial Disaster by the Eastern Cape Provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) during their stakeholder engagement session on dam safety and management -28^th.

4. Invited to speak at the 1) Interdepartmental Informal Settlement Technical Task Team and 2) The Advisory forum of the City of Ekurhuleni about the Development of an Integrated Flood Management Framework for the city on the 21^st and 29^th of 2023 respectively.

5. Invited as a Guest Speaker by RAMS MAT events to address the women`s conference in my capacity as the community liaison officer of the University of the free state Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa

1. Member of the editorial board member for New Countryside (E-ISSN:2758-1403), by invitation.

2. Member of the Scientific Committee and reviewers board of the International Conference on Research in Social Sciences Conference (RSSCONF) by invitation

3. Member of the reviewers of the International Conference on Social Sciences Research in Social Sciences Conference (RSSCONF) by invitation.

4. Member of the reviewers of the EIA International Conference on Innovations and Interdisciplinary Solutions for Underserved Areas (EAI INTERPOL) by invitation.

1. 2021-Supervisors of Doctoral Candidates at African Universities with the University of Stellenbosch

2. 2021-Introduction to Research Ethics offered by the University of Hong Kong in 2021.

3. 2023-Participation and Contribution in the Connective Cities & Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management Learning Process Kick-off Event in Windhoek, Namibia, on Flood Management for Risk-Informed Urban Development

4. 2023-Participation and attended the first stage of peer review excellence: IOP training and certification

5. 2023-Attended two writing retreats organised by the Future Professoriate Program from 6^th -9th June and 26^th -30^th June 2023

6. Invited to participate in a Training workshop on Poverty Alleviation through Agricultural Science and Technology,  10 -12 July in Pretoria, Sheraton Hotel.

7. Invited to Participate in a virtual stakeholder engagement session on dam safety and management on 28 March 2023 from 09:00 to 13:00 by the Eastern Cape Province Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. 

8. Invited to Participate in a virtual International Dialogue Series on Disaster Management Systems to take place on 17 April 2023 from 07:30 to 13:30 by the Government of South Africa Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation in partnership with the United Nations Southern Africa, South Africa. The dialogue focused on international benchmarking meant to strengthen South Africa’s future preparation for and response to disasters.

9. Invited to Participate in the Learning Process on Flood Management for Risk-Informed Urban Development project kick-start event by the Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management, GIZ, connective cities: The project aims at strengthening risk-informed development with partners in Southern Africa, Asia, and Latin America. from the 17^th to 21^st 2023 at Windhoek, Malawi.