Tertiary Education

2020       PhD in Geography, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Sciences, University of Witwatersrand

2014       MSc. Geography, Geography Department, University of the Free State

2011       BSc. Hons Geography, Geography Department, University of the Free State

2009       BSc. Geography, Geography Departmenr, University of the Free State

Articles:

Van der Walt, A.J. and Fitchett, JM. (2021). Extreme Temperature Events (ETEs) in South Africa: a Review. South African Geography Journal, https://doi.org/10.1080/03736245.2021.1907219.

Van der Walt, A.J. and Fitchett, J.M. (2021). Exploring extreme warm temperature trends in South Africa: 1960-2016. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 143: 341-1360. https://doi/10.1007/s00704-020-03479-8. 

Van der Walt, A.J. and Fitchett, J.M. (2021). Trend analysis of cold extremes in Sout Africa: 1960-2016. International Journal of Climatology, 41: 2060-2081. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.6947. 

Van der Walt, A.J and Fitchett, J.M. (2020). Statistical classification of South African seasonal divisions on the basis of daily temperature data. South African Journal of Science, 116(9/10):68. https://doi.org/10.17158/sajs.2020/7614.

Van der Walt, A.J. (2016). ‘Omgewingsrapportering deur middel van koerante in Suid-Afrika: ‘n Vergelykende studie’, Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie 35(1), a1379. http://dx/doi.org/10.4102/sant.v35i1.1379

Van der Walt, A.J and Barker, C.H. (2017). ‘’n Ruimtelike analitiese ondersoek na seisoenale reënval- en temperatuurpatrone oor Suider-Afrika’, Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie 36(1), a1469.https://doi.org/10.4102/satnt.v36i1.1469.

Conference presentations:

Van der Walt, A.J. and Fitchett, J.M. (2020). Statistical classification of South African seasonal divisions on the basis of daily temperature data. Alliance for Collaboration on Climate and Earth System Science (ACCESS), Habitat Planet Workshop (HPW) Research Conference, Online,  8-10 December 2020 – One of three winners for the best PhD research project presentations.

Mukwevho, R., Van der Walt, A.J. and Deacon, F. (2019). Exploring How Extreme Temperature Events Influence movement patterns of giraffes (Giraffa Camelopardalis) in the Rooipoort Nature Reserve, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The South African Wildlife Management Association Conference, Wilderness, South Africa, 1-5 September.

Van der Walt, A.J., Fitchett, J.M. and Curtis, C. (2019). Statistical Classification of South African South African Seasonal Divisions on the Basis of Daily Temperature Data. Society of South African Geography Student Conference, July)

Van der Walt, A.J., Fitchett, J.M. and Curtis, C. (2018). Statistical Classification of South African South African Seasonal Divisions on the Basis of Daily Temperature Data. Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 1-5 October 2018.

Letimela, O. and Van der Walt, A.J. (2018). An investigation of temperature patterns in the Free State: 1950-1980. Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 1-5 October 2018.

Van der Walt, A.J. and Barker, C.H. (2016). A Spatial Analytical Investigation of Seasonal Rainfall and Temperature Patterns over southern Africa. Suid-Afrikaanse Wetenskap en Kuns Studentesimposium, Potchefstroom, 28-29 October 2016.

Van der Walt, A.J. and Barker, C.H. (2016). A Spatial Analytical Investigation of Seasonal Rainfall and Temperature Patterns over southern Africa. Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Biometeorology, Climatology, Geography, Environmental Sciences and

Geographic Information Systems

I am involved in the following modules:

• GISC2624  Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• GISC3704  Professional Practice and Ethics for GISc Professionals 
• DIMG7900  Disaster management
• GEOR6808  Research Methodology
• BIOG6824  Biogeography

Geography Sessions for Creative Clubs held on the South Campus, University of the Free State, 17-20 August 2019.

Academic Citizenship 

Chair of the Steering Committee of the ACCESS Global Climate Emerging Research Network (GCERN)  

Treasurer of the Society of South African Geographers’ Students and Young Professionals

Member of the International Society of Biometeorology 

Member of the Society of South African Geographers Young Professionals Group 

Executive Council member (Treasurer) of the Society of South African Geographers

Research and Postgraduate Coordinator: University of the Free State, Geography Department 

Selected participant in the Emerging Scholar Accelerator Project at UFS 

Invited member: University of the Free State IT Committee 

Honours Research Coordinator: University of the Free State, Geography Department 

Media Coverage and Science Communication

25 February 2021, Landbouweekblad, Adriaan van der Walt and Jennifer Fitchett; “Somers in SA rek”.

29 November 2020, Rapport, Adriaan van der Walt and Jennifer Fitchett; “Somer bult sy spiere”.

23 November 2020, Cape Argus, Adriaan van der Walt and Jennifer Fitchett; South Africa is now having longer summers

19 November 2020, The Citizen, Adriaan van der Walt and Jennifer Fitchett; South Africa’s summer are getting longer – study.

12 October 2020, UFS News, Adriaan Van der Walt and Jennifer Fitchett; SA now experience half-year summers.

30 September 2020, Business Insider Travel, Adriaan Van der Walt and Jennifer Fitchett; SA’s summer lasts for six months, say researchers – and starts earlier in Johannesburg than in Cape Town.

Radio Interviews and Podcasts

18 March 2021, The Conversation Africa: Two researchers unpack extreme temperatures in South Africa.

02 December 2020, RSG Monitor: SA now experience half-year summers, Extreme cold and warm temperature extremes.

24 November 2020, LotusFM: SA now experience half-year summers.

23 November 2020, SAFM: Summers is getting hotter in South Africa: Study

21 November 2020, SAFM: Gone are the days when we as South Africans would experience a three-months spring season.