Get to know some of the researchers at the University of the Free State whose work is inspiring excellence and transforming lives globally.
In addition to the experts listed below, the UFS also boasts a unique research centre: The International Studies Group (ISG), which comprises a wide network of postgraduate researchers each with their own specialist field.
To arrange an interview with any of our experts, please contact our media office at news@ufs.ac.za.
Dr Claire Stephanie Westman
Area of expertise: Sexual and gender-based violence, sexual violence in war, women’s and LGBTQI+ rights, intersectionality, sexual and reproductive rights
Faculty/Department: Free State Centre for Human Rights
Dr Claire Westman is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Free State Centre for Human Rights. She obtained her PhD, with the title ‘There’s no such thing as gay’: Black lesbians and nationhood in post-apartheid South Africa, from Stellenbosch University in 2019. Dr Westman’s research interests lie primarily in sexual and gender-based violence - particularly within the South African context and during times of war, women’s and LGBTQI+ rights, and sexual and reproductive rights. Aside from these areas of interest, she is currently working on research related to visual activism, memorialisation, and counter-narratives in relation to sexual violence and the role of these in collective trauma healing.
Dr Westman’s has articles published in accredited academic journals as well as articles and opinion pieces appearing on various media platforms. In addition, she has presented her work at conferences and has attended international research programmes in Iceland and Germany.
Dr Westman’s opinion articles:
Contact Details
E-mail: westman.cs@ufs.ac.za
