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Lecturers must be given space to do research, says A1-rated researcher

28 June 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo André Damons

Prof Victor Houliston, Research Professor in the Department of English, is an A-rated researcher at the University of the Free State (UFS).

The University of the Free State (UFS) has added another National Research Foundation (NRF) A1-rated researcher to its ranks with the appointment of Prof Victor Houliston, Research Professor in the Department of English. This brings the number of the university’s A1-rated researchers to three.

The university also boasts the first A2 rating in the field of arts in the person of Prof Willem Boshoff, a senior professor in the Department of Fine Arts within the Faculty of The Humanities and one of South Africa's foremost contemporary artists. The other scholars with an A1 rating are Prof Maxim Finkelstein, the distinguished Professor at the Department of Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science, and Prof Melanie Walker, Distinguished Research Professor and National Research Foundation (NRF) Chair in Higher Education and Human Development.

The A rating is for researchers regarded as world leaders in their fields. Prof Houliston received his rating in 2022 – three years after retiring from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Consistent research output

Prof Houliston, who is an authority on early modern British and Irish Catholic studies (religion and politics) and has also published on John Donne (especially his prose works and sermons) and Renaissance rhetoric, says there is no formula for receiving an A1 rating.

“The definition of an A-rated scholar is someone who has achieved a certain reputation in their field internationally. That comes from a consistent research output, building up a portfolio of work in a particular field and moving the debate along, so that you become the go-to person on that subject.

“There is that sense of focus and some shifting of the picture or debate or understanding in your field. In science, the evaluation of a person's standing is more straightforward; in the humanities, research has a more subjective element so one's work is more vulnerable to criticism. In my case, as my research has evolved from English literature into historical studies, it has entailed archival and linguistic groundwork which makes it a little more objective,” says Prof Houliston.

The importance of Robert Persons

It is hard to say whether he chose his specialism, or his specialism chose him: an unexpected request for help from Guy Butler in 1988 led to his investigating the life and career of Robert Persons, an English Jesuit from the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Over the intervening 30 years, this Catholic activist has become widely recognised as one of the most important figures in early modern European history.

Prof Houliston started with a re-interpretation of Persons' published works, culminating in a 2007 monograph, Catholic Resistance in Elizabethan England. He is now editing Persons' extensive multilingual correspondence, as the leader of an international team of experts. The second volume was published earlier this year, with a third in preparation. He is also working with a team of South African classicists to translate Persons' Latin publications.

"As with most research, we work from the known to the unknown, pushing back further into the primary material – the archive."

Prof Houliston says that as a researcher, one must jealously guard one's time, which is difficult because the demands of teaching and administration have become more burdensome. Most academics show great commitment and idealism when it comes to teaching, so they are reluctant to leave students to their own devices. Ironically, this often leads those who are on the A-rating trajectory to take refuge in specialised institutes or centres of excellence and stop teaching, which can be a loss to students.

Given space to do research

“Lecturers at a university such as the UFS, with its goal of increasing its research productivity, need space to do research. Bureaucracy may have to retract a bit. Lecturers themselves have to learn where to draw the line,” he says.

"This may appear selfish, but it enhances the learning environment. If you were to ask students if they preferred to be in a university where high-quality research is taking place, they would likely say, 'Yes. That gives my degree greater credibility. I would want to feel that those who are teaching me are contributing to the increase of knowledge’.”

His advice to emerging researchers is to follow the advice of Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: conduct a weekly review of how they are managing to integrate research into their daily life as academics. Most lecturers are in a position where they only do research during vacations, but they can challenge themselves to carve out more regular times for research.

No slowing down

“That idea of constant review is important so that you are always moving forward. Many people just give up, because research is more challenging than, say, answering your emails, and you need energy and time. So, if you can reduce that start-up cost by doing a little every day, and preferably at the beginning of every day, it will make all the difference.

“The UFS, and especially heads of departments, can help to create a culture where scholars and researchers feel part of an interactive community. We need to move beyond the system to a sense of vocation. We have a vocation as university lecturers, professors and scholars, and everything else is secondary to the pursuit of knowledge. The system is merely a tool,” says Prof Houliston.

With multiple large-scale research projects on the go, as well as workshops and writing retreats, he is now busier than ever, with no plans for slowing down. He says: “I recently hosted a workshop for colleagues planning to apply for rating, to optimise their applications. One of my briefs is to enhance the research communities within the English department and the Faculty of Humanities in general, and especially amongst younger researchers.”

You could say he is speeding up. He recently completed a master’s degree in creative writing. "It's never too late to discover how many bad writing habits I have developed over the years!"

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus opens: Prof. PA Mbati's speech

2005-01-22

Official welcome speech by Prof. PA Mbati for 2005 first year students held on Saturday 22nd January 2005. Program Director, The Chief Director Operations Rev. Kiepi Jaftha, Dean of Students Dr. Natie Luyt, Program Head of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Elias Malete, Program Head of Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Riaan Luyt, Acting Program Head of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences Prof. Andries Venter, Deputy Director Student Affairs Mr. Teboho Manchu, Coordinator Finance: Mrs. Elizabeth Nchapi, Senior Librarian Mr. Stoffel Kok, Senior Magistrate Mr Saul Mohosho, SRC President Mr. Tello Motloung, members of staff, invited guests, parents, guardians, my dear students, ladies and gentlemen.

It is indeed my pleasure to welcome you to the official welcoming ceremony of the UFS-Qwaqwa Campus 2005 first year students. Our Rector and Vice Chancellor Professor Frederick has requested me to pass to you his warmest wishes and regards on this special occasion. I am confident that the orientation exercise in which you have participated has achieved the desired effect of introducing you to your new way of life here on campus, and that you are now sufficiently prepared to get on with the rigors of being a student at this University.

Following the restructuring of the higher education landscape, the Qwaqwa campus was incorporated into the University of the Free State with effect from January 1 2003 . As a consequence, Management was faced with a whole complex series of challenges including, primarily making the campus financially viable, but also ensuring that it remains relevant in it’s core business as a satellite campus of the University of the Free State in terms of its teaching, learning, research and community service responsibilities.

A whole series of strategic planning workshops were conducted last year with both internal and external stakeholders. Various important strategic objectives were flagged out, and the next level of consultation will take place soon. I know that there is a lot of eagerness, sometimes to the level of impatience to see this process completed as quickly as possible. But again on the other hand, due to the far reaching consequences of any hasty decisions, plus the need for a carefully planned process, we need to be a little more patient before the implementation of the strategic objectives is implemented. You will be kept informed as this important and critical aspect in the evolution of our campus takes place.

As a response to the need for a more effective governance model on the Qwaqwa campus, a review of the governance structure was completed towards the end of 2004 and will soon serve before the Executive of the Executive Management for approval.

Due to the importance that top management attaches to the development of an effective governance on the Qwaqwa campus, the process was facilitated by an internationally acclaimed consultant. Again the contents of the revised governance model will be made known to the campus and the broader community once it is approved.

I am glad to report that in recognition of the need to improve the infrastructure on campus to provide a conducive learning atmosphere to our students, a total of 8.2 million rands was made available towards the end of 2004 for recapitalization of specifically our student residences and lecture venues. The first phase of the residence renovation is completed and residences C, D and E have now been officially handed over to the University by the Contractor. Among the features of the renovated residences is that they will now computer rooms, kitchenettes for cooking, and a redesigned TV room. The rooms have even been fitted with heaters. Our challenge will now be to maintain our newly acquired facilities and to ensure that they do not again deteriorate to an un-acceptable level. The second phase of renovation will start soon.

As indicated in my address during the orientation week, our obligation to you as a campus is to offer you quality training to the best of our ability, and to disseminate this knowledge to you within a conducive atmosphere worthy of good learning. On the other hand, our students have to take advantage of this opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and training in the various academic programs that we offer on campus.

We have a very simple agenda on this campus – our vision is to continuously strive to build and develop the Qwaqwa campus of University of the Free State into a truly quality institution of higher learning in our country. To develop a tradition and culture in which we are proud of who we are, and constantly and tirelessly working towards excellence in our academic programs, and other non-academic but core and important aspects in your growth and development such as sport and community service. To nurture young conscientious citizens who are aware of their duties and responsibilities. Ultimately to produce hard working young people who fully exploit their potentials, and who will serve this country with diligence when unleashed into the real world in effectively managing their roles and responsibilities in society, whether in private or government civil service.

I would like to encourage that the various stake holders of this campus, the students, academic, administrative and support staff, and our broader community, to work together in harmony for the well being of our campus. For this campus to continue to be relevant in the environment that we find ourselves, there is a need for continuous engagement of its various stake holders, and genuinely listening to each other. We must continuously and regularly keep our feelers on alert in order that we can remain relevant.

I am particularly inviting our parents and guardians, the alumni of this campus, and leaders from our community to join hands with us in seeking solutions to the various challenges that we continue to face on campus. I am open for frank and honest discourse on the best way forward for our campus.

The University of the Free State is committed in making tertiary education accessible to as many students as possible. In this regard, students who do not have the required ‘M’ score to gain entry into main stream classes are given an opportunity to study in the highly successful ‘bridging program’ in which learners are integrated with main stream students but with fewer courses to tackle in order to ensure success. This is done on the premise that such students have the potential to pursue a degree course, and that therefore within a well structured program, they can make a success of their lives.

The University is conscious of the fact that in many instances several academically deserving students fail to be admitted into university due to financial reasons. For students who are academically deserving but who because of reasons of poverty cannot pay the requisite fees, the university is able to assist such students through the National Financial Aid Scheme – commonly known as NSFAS, and University Merit Awards. Other incentives such as Sports bursaries are also available.

Please remember that it is important to balance your life on campus and the phrase ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’ aptly describes this statement. Ensure that you participate in sport and cultural activities of this campus so that you can develop and strengthen the various God-given talents that you have been blessed with.

A second major ingredient for your success on campus is discipline and respect for rules, policies and procedures that govern the University of the Free State , and respect for your fellow students. Good discipline is a major contributory factor to success in life, and more so in your formative academic life at University. This means for example that you must attend all your lectures, complete your assignments on-time and visit the library frequently. Please manage your time wisely and responsibly. Remember that as a university student, you are basically the master and architect of your own destiny.

Think very carefully when you are confronted with difficult situations, be they negative peer pressure, or temptations to indulge in intoxicating drugs, and make the right choice.

The University has well trained personnel including a social worker, a psychologist and counselor, and members of the student affairs division under the leadership of Mr. Teboho Manchu, Deputy Director Student Affairs, who are available to assist whenever you require their help.

Today is also a special day because we have officially inaugurated the SRC President and the rest of the SRC leadership. I am sure that you all join me in congratulating the SRC for being elected to their leadership roles for 2005. Mr. SRC president and your team, please remember that you now have a huge responsibility in carrying out the aspirations of the student body on campus. I want to wish you luck and success as you champion the rights of your constituents, which I believe and trust will be compatible with management’s expectations with regard to quality teaching and learning on campus. As you are aware, Management values the input that the student leadership makes in the operational management of the affairs of this campus, and we look forward to a cordial, non-confrontational working relationship with a view of rendering un-paralleled service on campus.

Mr. Program Director, allow me to wish everyone here a successful and prosperous year. May the good Lord give us the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle that may be placed in our way in the course of our work in 2005.

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