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12 November 2018 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Stephen Collett
Inaugural lecture focuses on aspects of soil classification
Prof Cornie Van Huyssteen delivered his inaugural lecture on the topic: ‘The world in a grain of sand’, at the ninth inaugural lecture at the UFS this year.

Humans classify their environment to create order, make it more understandable, aid recollection and to communicate. As important it is for humans to classify their environments, so it is to classify soil, said Prof Cornie van Huyssteen.

Prof Van Huyssteen has studied and recorded data on soil worldwide to find the most appropriate use of land, in among others, the agriculture and mining sector and for urban development. 

It is all about soil

He was vice-chair of the International Union of Soil Sciences working group for the World Reference Base, and president of the Soil Science Society of South Africa. From 1991 to 1999 he worked at the Institute for Soil, Climate and Water of the Agricultural Research Council, where he aided in the land type survey and spatial analysis of soil data.

At his recent inauguration to full professor Prof Van Huyssteen delivered the ninth inaugural lecture at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein Campus for 2018, talking about a matter close to his heart, soil. He titled the lecture: ‘The world in a grain of sand’. 

Relevant to irrigation scheduling

A professor in the UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Prof Van Huyssteen’s research focuses on the relationship between soil morphology and soil hydrology. It can mostly be applied to hydropedology, wetland delineation, urban development, mining EIAs, irrigation scheduling and soil classification.

Prof Van Huyssteen joined the UFS in 2000, and in 2004, he completed his PhD in Soil Science. He is also author or co-author of 25 reviewed papers.

News Archive

Leeds academic presents a seminar on racism in the UK
2014-07-30

 


Dr Shirley Tate during her seminar on colour-blind racism.
Photo: O'Ryan Heideman

A prominent researcher and academic, Dr Shirley Tate, recently delivered an academic paper – soon to be published – on racism at institutions of higher learning in the United Kingdom. The seminar was hosted at the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus by the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice.

Dr Tate spoke about colour-blind racism – where racism at an interpersonal level, racial differences and ethnic particularities are overlooked. Colour-blind racism continues to negate the fact that skin colour has consequences in societies where it has been claimed that 'race' no longer matters.

Dr Tate, author of two books, is particularly interested in exploring the intersections of 'raced' and gendered bodies, race performativity, critical mixed race and racism in organisations.

Her talk sparked a lot of interest from both students and staff who were extremely keen to find out more about her extensive research and its striking similarities to our South African experience.

Dr Tate is an Associate Professor in Race and Culture and Director of the Centre for Ethnicity and Racism Studies at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.


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