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Twenty-two Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees were conferred in the Faculty of the Humanities during the University of the Free State’s (UFS) graduation ceremonies on 9 April 2025 at the Bloemfontein Campus. Among the recipients were Dr Ashwill Phillips, a lecturer in the Department of Criminology,  and Dr Sheree Pretorius, a post-doctoral research fellow in the Department of Communication Science.

Both academics completed their doctoral journeys at the UFS, marking significant professional and personal milestones.  

A milestone moment

For Dr Pretorius, earning her PhD in Psychology was more than just an academic accomplishment – it was a deeply personal victory. As the first in her family to pursue higher education, she overcame significant financial and social challenges to reach this point.

‘’As I walked across the stage, I was overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment,” she reflected. “I thought about the many challenges I had overcome and the growth I had experienced. Most of all, I looked forward to celebrating this milestone with my family, who have been my greatest source of strength and encouragement.’’ 

For Dr Phillips, his PhD in Criminology is a testament to perseverance and purpose. His achievement, he said, is as much for his students and his son as it is for himself.

‘’I hope this achievement inspires the students I teach to believe that reaching this level is possible,” he shared. “It’s also a message to my son - if I could achieve this with limited support, then with the support he has, he can achieve so much more.”

Research that makes a difference

Dr Pretorius’s doctoral research focused on the psychometric properties of the Prison Adjustment Questionnaire (PAQ) among male and female incarcerated individuals in South African correctional centres. Her aim was to assess the reliability and validity of the PAQ in measuring how inmates adapt to prison life – a critical factor in rehabilitation and mental health interventions within the correctional system.

Dr Phillips pursued his PhD by publication, contributing three peer-reviewed articles that explore the often-overlooked intersections between gang culture and occult practices. His research is titled Exploring gang subculture: contemporary perspectives on initiation rites, gang dynamics, symbolism, hierarchy and the criminogenic variables perpetuating gang membership.

The first article examined the pathways into gang involvement, highlighting risk exposure, protective factors, and the motivations behind participation in devil-worshipping gangs. The second delved into the origins, initiation rituals, symbolism, hierarchy, and power structures within these gangs in the Free State province. His final article, Gangs, diabolatry and witchcraft: towards a contemporary typology of occult gangs, sought to fill a gap in gang-related scholarship.

‘’If you look at gang typologies used to develop prevention programmes and intervention strategies, there was no category for gangs with occult elements,” Dr Phillips explained. “I collected data to develop such a typology to better inform those efforts.’’  

Looking to the future

Both graduates agree that obtaining their PhDs is only the beginning of a new chapter in their academic and professional journeys.

Dr Pretorius is currently engaged in postdoctoral research exploring the influence of family communication patterns on family identity, identity formation, and psychological well-being in UFS students, using a mixed-methods approach. She also aims to contribute to policy development in this area.  

Dr Phillips is continuing to test and refine his typology, with the goal of creating more effective rehabilitation programmes for gang-affiliated individuals. He also plans to engage directly with schools and communities in gang-affected areas, using his research to create awareness and promote prevention strategies.

These inspiring stories of resilience, purpose and academic excellence highlight the transformative power of education and the role of research in addressing complex societal challenges.