Since 2013, I have been extensively involved in teaching various undergraduate and postgraduate law modules, ranging from Family Law, Constitutional Law, Labour Law, and the Law of Persons to more recent subjects like Introduction to Law and Social Protection Law. Over the years, my focus has shifted towards enhancing the learning experience through innovative teaching methods and technology integration. This has been recognised by several awards, including first place in the Excellence in Teaching and Learning awards for Student Engagement and Learning (2018) and second place for curriculum innovation through technology (2023). I am also a member of the UFS Learning and Teaching Fellowship Programme as an emerging scholar. My research interests lie primarily in legal education, labour law, and the gig economy. I have delivered numerous papers at national and international conferences, addressing topics such as collaborative learning in legal education, and the structural vulnerability of gig workers. My work has also been published in peer-reviewed journals, where I explore the vulnerabilities faced by on-demand workers in the gig economy.

Currently, I am focused on leveraging digital tools and AI to enhance legal education, as highlighted in my recent presentations and workshops on AI-powered assessments and the ethical use of AI in law courses. Additionally, I contribute to short learning programmes and participate in various seminars and training workshops aimed at improving teaching methodologies and legal education. My ongoing research continues to address critical issues in labour law and the gig economy, seeking to provide practical solutions and insights for both academia and industry. 

Personal Contact Details
Work phone - (051) 401 2107
Email (preferred) - stopforthg@ufs.ac.za

Qualifications
LLB - NWU
LLM in Labour Law - NWU
LLD in Labour Law - University of the Free State, Faculty of Law. (Completed - Graduating December 2023)
Registered title - Decent work for on-demand workers in the modern-day gig economy.

Other training:
Certificate in Family Mediation - FAMSA
Certificate in Psychology for Mediators - NABFAM

Teaching and Learning Awards and Recognition
2018    Awarded 1st place winner in the Excellence in Teaching and Learning awards for the category Student Engagement and Learning at the University of the Free State, 2018.
2023    Awarded 2nd place winner in the Excellence in Teaching and Learning awards for the category Innovating my curriculum through the use of technology and online tools at the University of the Free State, 2023.
2023    Accepted into the UFS Learning and Teaching Fellowship Programme as an emerging scholar track.

Additional Scholarly Engagement (Moderator, Examiner & Reviewer)
I acted as an external moderator for several undergraduate LLB modules & postgraduate modules, such as Labour Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Legal Skills, and the Research Project module (LLB mini-dissertation).
I acted as an internal moderator for various undergraduate & postgraduate modules presented in the Department of Mercantile Law and at the UFS Business School.
I acted as an external examiner for various universities such as UCT, UP, UKZN, UWC, Stadio Higher Education, and the NWU.
I acted as a peer reviewer for manuscripts from several accredited and respected journals.

Current and ongoing projects:
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Project: Students` views on factors that influence their motivation and active participation in flipped and blended foundational law modules
Role: Principal investigator.
Duration of project: January 2024 - December 2024.

University Funded Project: Advancing Digital Ethics in Higher Education: A Focus on Generative AI
Role: Co-principal investigator
Duration of project: January 2024 - December 2024.

University Funded Project: Digitisation in Mercantile Law - Navigating Legal Implications in the Digital Era
Role: Project Staff. Assisted with the drafting of the project proposal.
Duration of project: January 2024 - December 2024.

Publication
Smit DM and Stopforth G “An overview of categories of vulnerability among on-demand workers in the gig economy (Part 1)” LDD (2022) vol 26 364-394. Available at https://law.uwc.ac.za/journals/law-democracy-and-development/ldd-current-volume  

Smit DM and Stopforth G “An overview of categories of vulnerability among on-demand workers in the gig economy (Part 2)” LDD (2023) vol 27, 149-182. Available at https://law.uwc.ac.za/all-publications/ldd-items/an-overview-of-categories-of-vulnerability-among-on-demand-workers-in-the-gig-economy-part-2-pp-142-189

Student textbook contribution
2022. Introduction to Law and Legal Skills. 2nd edition. LexisNexis (Maisel P, Greenbaum L, and Stopforth G).

Papers Delivered at Conference Proceedings, Panel Discussions etc.
2014   
Contemporary Mediation Conference, September, 2014, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Paper delivered: Mediation Approaches in Multiparty Environmental Disputes.

2015   
Ireland International Conference on Education (IICE-2015), October 26-29, 2015, Dublin, Ireland
Paper delivered: Facilitating Collaborative Learning in Law through Wiggio.

2017   
Fourth Annual International Mercantile Law Conference (AIMLC-2017), November 1-3, 2017, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Paper delivered (Co-presenter): The changing role of the construction dispute mediator in South Africa.

2018   
University of the Free State, 2nd UFS Teaching and Learning Conference: Quality Teaching and Learning: Improving Student Success, March 28, 2018, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Paper delivered: Facilitating student engagement for student success: Creating opportunities beyond the traditional law classroom

2020   
SASLAW (South African Society for Labour Law) 23rd Annual Conference, November 5-6, 2020 Linbro Park, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Paper delivered (Co-presenter): Structural Vulnerability of On-Demand Workers in a New "Work" Dispensation.

2023
University of the Free State, UFS Annual Learning and Teaching Conference: Quality Blended Learning and Teaching: Enhancing graduate attributes through assessment, September 11 - 15, 2023, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Paper delivered: Empowering student learning: Unleashing the potential of Blackboard learning modules.

University of the Free State, UFS Annual Learning and Teaching Conference: Quality Blended Learning and Teaching: Enhancing graduate attributes through assessment, September 11 - 15, 2023, Bloemfontein, South Africa.Paper delivered: Using reflective techniques within a collaborative learning activity to develop law students’ ethical reasoning concerning the potential misuse of generative AI.

2024
The Society for Law Teachers of Southern Africa (SLTSA) Conference, North-West University (NWU), 15-19 January 2024, Sun City Convention Centre, South Africa.
Paper delivered: Legal Education in a Post-Covid Era: Leveraging Textbook-LMS Integration to Enhance Learning in LLB Foundational Modules.

2nd Collaborative Seminar between UNISA, UL & UFS , University of the Free State (UFS), 2-3 May 2024, Bloemfontein Campus, South Africa.
Paper delivered: Soft law and non-binding proposals for navigating on-demand workers out of a legal twilight zone.

SASUF Sustainability Forum, University, Malmö University, 15–17 May 2024, Sweden.
Poster delivered:  A Collaborative Initiative for Adopting Ethical AI Principles in Law Courses in South Africa and Sweden.

Panel discussion on “Future-proofing education: Upskilling the workforce to thrive amidst AI advancements”, 14 May, 2024, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Paper delivered: The practicalities of AI skill development in Higher Education – Are we managing or controlling this crisis?

Workshop Presented

2023    University of the Free State, UFS Annual Learning and Teaching Conference: Quality Blended Learning and Teaching. Pre-conference workshop on AI-Powered Assessment: Striking the Blend Between Intelligence and Education, Dr Ina Gouws & Mr Grey Stopforth, September 11 - 15, 2023, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
2024    University of the Free State, Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures (ICDF) and the Digital Scholarship Centre (DSC). AI at the UFS: AI at the UFS – Practical lessons from law modules, 29 January 2024, Bloemfontein, South Africa.    
2024    University of the Free State, Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures (ICDF) and the Digital Scholarship Centre (DSC). AI Wayfinder Seminar Series – Assessment  and Teaching with AI, Co-presented by Dr Ina Gouws & Dr Grey Stopforth, 4 April 2024, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Radio Interviews

2017 – RSG interview regarding the labour law implications with regard to violent strikes and protest action experienced in South Africa due to poor service delivery.
2018 – RSG interview about the lack of labour protection afforded to individuals employed in the gig economy.
2020 – RSG interview relating to the negative impact of COSATU`s nationwide protest actions on the South African labour market. The interview also focused on the role of female representation within the trade union structures.
2021 – PowerFM interview about the dual face of the gig economy and Uber in South Africa.
2022 – RSG interview relating to the Minister of Trade and Industry’s power to identify economic sectors where transformation is lacking.

News Articles
2021 – Smit DM and Stopforth G “Dual faces of the gig economy and ride-hailing industry” in Bizcommunity – Available at https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/548/217144.html     

Teaching and Learning Awards
2018 – Awarded 1st place winner in the Excellence in Teaching and Learning awards for the category Student Engagement and Learning at the University of the Free State, 2018.

• Labour Law.
• The impact of 4IR and the future world of work.
• The gig economy and the South African workplace.
• Achieving decent work in the South African context.
• Skills development and the future world of work.
• Student engagement in a blended learning environment.

Undergraduate
Introduction to Law;
Legal Skills; &
Facilitation Skills for Law Students.

Postgraduate

Modules presented in the past -

Undergraduate

Labour Law;
Family Law;
Law of Persons;
Law of Instruments of Payment; &
Language Skills in the Legal Context.

Postgraduate

Labour Law; &
Protection of Employees with regard to Work and Livelihood.