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UFS scholar recognised as emerging leader in climate adaptation research

19 August 2025 | Story Martinette Brits

Dr Tlou Raphela-Masuku, Senior Lecturer in the University of the Free State (UFS) Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC), has been selected as one of only 15 early-career researchers from Southern and Eastern Africa to participate in the prestigious British Academy-funded International Writing Workshop on Climate Change Adaptation.

Her selection follows a highly competitive process involving applicants from across the region, underscoring her growing influence in climate research. “Being selected as one of only 15 early-career researchers from the SADC and East Africa region was truly humbling. It affirmed the value of my research and passion for climate adaptation and further motivated me to keep making a meaningful contribution in this field,” she said.

Strengthening research visibility and collaboration

The workshop is jointly organised by York St John University (UK), the University of the West of England (UK), the University of Nairobi (Kenya), and the University of Cape Town (South Africa). It brings together emerging scholars from a range of disciplinary backgrounds to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen academic writing and publishing skills, and develop grant proposal expertise.

For Dr Raphela-Masuku, the programme is a natural fit with her work at DiMTEC. “At DiMTEC, my work spans ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. I am the core teacher for this module for master’s students. My recent and upcoming research, including work on flood risks and climate vulnerability among subsistence farmers, directly aligns with the themes of the workshop,” she explained.

Her focus within the programme will be on climate-induced vulnerabilities and resilience, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities, with a strong emphasis on extreme weather events and nature-based solutions. She looks forward to both the online and in-person engagements in Nairobi and Cape Town, which will run between 2025 and 2027. “These offer a fantastic opportunity for peer learning, mentorship, and deeper engagement with fellow climate researchers. Exchanging ideas face to face is always energising and often leads to lasting collaborations,” she said.

Advancing DiMTEC’s mission

Participation in the workshop will not only advance Dr Raphela-Masuku’s own academic profile but also strengthen DiMTEC’s regional and continental footprint. “My participation directly supports DiMTEC’s mission to build climate resilience and disaster preparedness across Africa. It strengthens our footprint in the region and facilitates collaboration with other institutions working on similar challenges, especially in rural vulnerability and adaptation,” she noted.

She sees the experience as a vital platform to amplify her work on flood resilience and the health impacts of climate change to audiences that include academics, policymakers, and practitioners. “The workshop will enhance the visibility of my work and provide the tools and strategies to navigate high-impact publishing, which is crucial for emerging African scholars,” she added.

Reflecting on her journey, Dr Raphela-Masuku said it has been “rooted in both academic enquiry and real-world impact”, driven by the urgent need to support vulnerable communities. Her advice to aspiring researchers is clear: “Stay curious. Stay rooted in the needs of your communities. And don’t be afraid to ask hard questions or chase ambitious goals. Climate adaptation research is not just about publishing papers – it’s about finding real solutions for real people.”

News Archive

“Breakthroughs depend on people believing in their own ideas”

2015-07-23

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.

Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”

The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.

Details of the event:

Date: Saturday 1 August 2015

Time: 08:00- 18:00

Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).

The reason behind the #AskWhy theme

"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”

The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.

Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.

Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.

TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.

On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.

This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.

Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)

LINKS:

Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022

Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499

TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276

Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612

Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/

Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/

Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959

Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen

Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/

Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789

Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892

Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people

Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302

PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d

Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz

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