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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

UFS Rector gets reappointed
2007-06-08

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) today unanimously (Friday 8 June 2007) extended the term of Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, for a further five years.

Prof. Fourie was appointed on 1 January 2003 in this position and his current term appointment will expire on 31 December 2007. The extension of his five-year term as Rector and Vice-Chancellor will come into effect on 1 January 2008. .

“During the course of his term Prof. Fourie clearly demonstrated that he has the competencies and abilities to manage the recent strong growth phase of the UFS and to further develop the UFS to be a modern university,” said Judge Faan Hancke, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

“His commitment to quality, integrity, justice, non-racialism and non-sexism are qualities that will be crucial to addressing the strategic objectives and priorities of the UFS,” said Judge Hancke.

According to Judge Hancke, Prof. Fourie’s confrontation of and commitment to two of the most important challenges facing the UFS also played a role in the Council’s decision to extend his term. These challenges are:

  • The institutional charter as key to successful, high-quality transformation and social robustness in the context of diversity; and
  • The strategic clusters as key to a word-class research and teaching profile, academic quality and robustness.

A diversely compiled committee with a balanced representivity made a unanimous decision to submit the extension of Prof. Fourie’s term to Council today for approval. The evaluation committee comprised of among others the chairperson of Council as the presiding officer, the vice-chairperson of Council, other Council members who are not employees of the UFS and representatives of Senate.

The process comprised of the evaluation of Prof. Fourie’s work performance and competencies within a broad framework of the strategic aims of the UFS.

According to Judge Hancke the evaluation committee considered aspects such as the staff profile of the UFS; the vision, mission, values and strategic priorities of the UFS and Prof. Fourie’s vision for the UFS; the inherent post requirements of Rector and Vice-Chancellor; the outcome of the evaluation discussion with regard to Prof. Fourie’s successes during his term as Rector and the future challenges for a rector before the recommendation was made to Council.

“On behalf of Council I wish to congratulate Prof. Fourie with his appointment and wish him all of the best with his task to take the UFS to new heights,” said Judge Hancke.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
8 June 2007
 

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