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06 July 2023 | Story Gerda-Marié van Rooyen | Photo Supplied
Prof Ivan Turok and Prof Melanie Walker
Prof Ivan Turok and Prof Melanie Walker.

Two of the University of the Free State (UFS) SARChI Research Chairs have been included in the 2nd edition of Research.com ranking of the best scholars in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Prof Melanie Walker from the UFS Higher Education and Human Development research group and SARChI Chair: Higher Education and Human Development, and Prof Ivan Turok, from the South African National Research Foundation, who hold the Research Chair in Strengthening Urban Economies: People, Place, Production and Policy, are ranked 41st (ranked 5 286 in the world) and 20th (2 825) in South Africa respectively.

According to the Research.com website, the best scientists ranking is a credible list of leading scientists from the field of Social Sciences and Humanities, established by means of a meticulous analysis of 166 880 scholars determined from multiple bibliometric data sources. For this discipline, as many as 15 317 researchers were analysed and their position in the ranking is based on a researcher’s D-index (Discipline H-index), which only includes papers and citation values for an examined discipline.

The success of a community

As a SARChI Chair in Strengthening Urban Economies: People, Place, Production, and Policy, Prof Turok explores how cities can drive economic growth and foster inclusive development in South Africa. His research analyses the factors contributing to the success of certain cities over others and identifies policies and practices that can enhance conditions for citizens and communities

He says this “pleasant surprise” (being ranked 20th in South Africa in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities) follows years of scientific work and writing.

“Research has also been a labour of love and rewarding in itself. It has fuelled my natural curiosity for learning more about the world, and I have had opportunities to visit places and meet people I would never have had otherwise,” says Prof Turok.

What it takes to be a researcher

Although one can learn the required skills and capabilities to be a good researcher, Prof Turok says having a natural yearning for knowledge and an intrinsic curiosity about the real world is helpful to have a long research career. “Careful mentoring and sound teachers are vital to become an effective researcher.”

He firmly believes research should be relevant to the society in which it is located – especially in a developing country like South Africa.

He continues by saying: “It should shed light on and help to understand the major problems and opportunities facing society, using the tools and techniques available to that particular discipline.” This honoured researcher says researchers should inform societies using simple terms and engage in discussions on matters it faces.

“Researchers should be outward-looking and interact constructively with policy-makers and practitioners to improve public policy while maintaining a healthy dose of scepticism about the intentions of the political elite and other powerful interests.”

When analysing the reasons behind varying levels of economic growth and inclusive development among cities, it is crucial to consider a diverse range of indicators. “Relying solely on a few narrow indicators can be misleading," says Prof Turok.

Indicators to take into consideration include: The economic productivity of the city (output per person) and the average income level, the level of employment in relation to the working-age population, which enables individuals to support themselves and their families financially, and the level of investment, which determines future growth, employment, and income levels.

The value of research

Prof Turok suggests that the government could play a significant role in strengthening urban economies and reducing inequalities by devolving more powers and resources to metropolitan municipalities as the effective coordination of housing and transportation investments is crucial for achieving economic growth and social inclusion in cities. He also recommends aligning the programmes and investment projects of provincial authorities and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) with those of the metropolitan areas.

“Currently, there is a disconnect between the activities of many SOEs and the interests of cities. For example, there is a considerable amount of vacant and underused land in well-located urban areas owned by SOEs, which they refuse to transfer to metros for housing purposes (highlighting the relevance of land reform in cities). Another example is the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), which operate in silos and do not align their training programmes with the needs of employers in cities,” explains Turok.

Being an internationally recognised expert in his field, Prof. Turok is regularly asked to advise esteemed organisations such as the United Nations and the African Development Bank. Prof. Turok, a former finalist for the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, will serve in this significant role until 2025.

Focusing on Education

Prof Walker, a distinguished scholar in the field of education sciences with an A1 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) – which funds SARChI – focuses on the profound impact of apartheid on education and civic life. She concentrates on (higher) education, primarily in the Global South, and addresses the intersecting research and practice challenges of decolonisation, methodology, inequalities, and justice.

This former professor of Higher Education at the University of Nottingham currently holds the esteemed position of UFS Distinguished Professor. She has supervised the production of 23 doctoral theses on higher education and human development since 2016. Additionally, she has delivered numerous keynote speeches worldwide and is an acclaimed author of books and journal articles within her area of expertise.

 


 

PHOTO

Left: Prof Ivan Turok, from the South African National Research Foundation, who holds the Research Chair in Strengthening Urban Economies: People, Place, Production and Policy, is ranked 20th (2 825) in South Africa respectively.

Right: Prof Melanie Walker, SARChI Chair: Higher Education and Human Development, is ranked 41st (ranked 5 286 in the world) in the 2nd edition of Research.com ranking of the best scholars in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities.

 


 

News Archive

We show our colours in support of autism awareness
2012-04-11

The Main Building on our Bloemfontein Campus will be illuminated in blue till the end of April to show support for autism awareness.
Photo: René-Jean van der Berg
12 April 2012

The Main Building on our Bloemfontein Campus will be illuminated in blue till the end of April to show our support for autism awareness, together with the rest of the world.

April is Autism Awareness Month and various iconic landmarks worldwide will be lit up in blue to honour those with autism.

Autism is one of only three conditions that are commemorated by the World Health Organisation.

Autism is a neurological condition that can be diagnosed in children as young as three years old. Worldwide one out of every 100 children is diagnosed within the autistic spectrum. This means that in South Africa a child is born with autism every hour and in the Free State some 400 children per year are born with the condition.

“Despite the high prevalence of autism in South Africa, South Africans know very little about it,” says Dr. David Griessel, an autism expert of the UFS’s Department of Paediatrics and Child Health. “Stories and films that attempt to portray autistic characters often create the wrong impression among the public concerning this complex illness. This distorts the reality since every child with autism is unique,” says Dr. Griessel.

He says it is important that all children with signs of autism are referred for evaluation as early intervention can prevent autism from further disrupting normal development.

Therapists and teachers who specialise in autism-specific treatment play an important role in this regard.

“However, there are no well-established services for toddlers in the Free State. Fortunately, there are classes developing in schools such as Lettie Fouché, Willem Postma and Pholoho, as well as in Kroonstad and Welkom. The Free State Autism Association has established a private school that offers a service to seven learners.”

For more information on autism in children or for information on special projects in the Free State, contact Dr. Griessel at +27(0)51 405 53177 or +27(0)51 405 3181.

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