Marthie Niemand's research explores dendroclimatology, focusing on the application of stable carbon isotopes and radiocarbon dating to reconstruct past climate conditions from tree stems in the Southern African Savanna. She is currently pursuing a PhD in this field at North-West University, under the supervision of faculty affiliated with both North- West University and iThemba LABS. Her work contributes to paleoclimate science and broadens the understanding of historical hydroclimate variability in the region. 

Marthie also established a dedicated dendrochronology laboratory in 2022 at Centre for Environmental Management (CEM), supporting advancements in tree-ring science and cross-disciplinary collaboration. In her position as Senior Professional Officer at the CEM, she serves as the student research coordinator at CEM, overseeing the research projects of approximately 100 Master's and PhD students annually. She is also the convenor for the research module in the MSc programmes at the CEM, where she lectures several topics within this module.  Twenty-two Master’s students graduated under her supervision since 2007.  She is further a co-author on 15 published papers.

Ashwill Phillips is a lecturer and postgraduate supervisor in the Department of Criminology at the University of the Free State. He has been involved with the Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre and the One-Stop Child Justice Centre presenting and facilitating the Take a Lead in Life rehabilitation programme to youths in conflict with the law. He has also assisted in the compilation of pre-sentence evaluation reports and was involved with the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO), supervising postgraduate students who presented various diversion and primary conflict reduction programmes to sentenced youths and to those who have been diverted from more formal criminal justice system processes.

Ashwill is currently working towards the completion of his doctoral thesis in Criminology which is aimed at exploring contemporary perspectives on initiation rites, gang dynamics, symbolism, hierarchy and the variables that facilitate youth-gang membership. His thesis further explores the phenomenon of the so-called devil-worshipping gangs and their suspected involvement in spiritually motivated and occult-related crimes, which incorporate elements of African witchcraft and pseudo-satanism.

Karen Venter heads the Service-Learning Division within the Directorate of Community Engagement, at the University of the Free State (UFS). Having a PhD in Higher Education Studies, with specialisation in the field of community engagement and service-learning, she is

responsible for the institutionalisation of engaged scholarship and glocal networking to advance higher education engagement. Her research focuses on an integration of service-learning, Appreciative Inquiry and Appreciative Leadership towards development of a praxis-model for advancing engaged scholarship. Karen has presented papers and workshops at various national and international conferences, published in journal articles and co-authored book chapters. Karen also serves as one of the Vise Presidents of the Global University for Lifelong Learning in South Africa (see http://www.gullonline.org/).

Balandeli serves as a Lecturer and Midwifery Specialist within the Department of Obstetrics at the University of the Free State (UFS). He holds a Master of Nursing degree in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science from Nelson Mandela University. His teaching responsibilities encompass the training of third- and fourth-year undergraduate medical (MBChB) students in midwifery and obstetrics, addressing a range of normal and abnormal conditions. His commitment to education, coupled with extensive experience in higher education and Maternal and Newborn Care, has led him to recognize the urgent need for innovative teaching and learning strategies. These innovations are crucial for addressing global challenges, including maternal mortality and morbidity, as well as issues related to litigation and malpractice within maternity settings. Balandeli is currently pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences Education at UFS.

His research interests are centered on fostering critical thinking in medical education, clinical midwifery and obstetrics, and quality assurance in maternal health services.

Dr Zaynab Mobara-Links is a Technology Education lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology Education. At the University of the Free State. She joined the UFS as a lecturer in 2020, after serving as a Teaching and Learning Coordinator within the same institution. From 2022 to April 2024, Dr Mobara-Links served as the Intermediate Phase Programme Director with specialisation in Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology Education, and Languages.

Her research interests include Technology teaching, blended learning, and enhancing digital literacy. In her MEd, she explored how technological literacy can be enhanced through assessment practices in the senior phase. Furthermore, in her doctoral research, she explored preservice teachers’ experiences in blended learning approaches employed in practical-based courses. 

My teaching philosophy advances both educational leadership and civic humanism principles. My academic interests are focused on issues about the scholarship that informs transformative education, community engagement, heritage, culture, and health (medical humanities). I see my work as interdisciplinary as the movement of my thoughts cuts across various disciplinary boundaries such as social work, psychology, sociology, and developmental studies. I imagine my future contribution to advance the position that understands scholarly practice as context-specific, entwined in the discovery of the knowledge of the discipline (epistemology) and the latest ideas on how to teach it (pedagogy). I assert that teaching at its best shapes both research and practice. I am currently writing a PhD manuscript, with a focus on the Reconfiguration of the UFS’s “Red Square” for Epistemic Inclusion.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1310-1340

I’m a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education, focusing on mathematics education. My fields of interest in research are linked to aspects of the professional development of learners, students, and teachers. The golden thread in all my research is to assist others to understand and master mathematics with a strong emphasis on empowerment and upskilling.

As an occupational therapist, I have a special interest in neurorehabilitation, with a particular focus on stroke rehabilitation. My research centres on chronic stroke rehabilitation within the primary healthcare setting, aiming to enhance community participation and integration through inter-sectoral collaboration. 

Hendri du Plessis is a Lecturer and Programme Director in the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State. A professionally registered Quantity Surveyor (PrQS) and Construction Project Manager (PrCPM), he combines over 14 years of industry experience with a strong academic profile. Du Plessis’s research centres on Construction Education, particularly the integration of Construction 4.0 and 5.0 principles into curricula to enhance graduate attributes and digital competency. He has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers, receiving recognition for his work on Construction 5.0. His research supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Sybrand Johannes Coetzee (Johan) specialises in integrating Educational Technology into teacher education through a TPACK framework. His research focuses on the application of digital technology in education, including the use of EdTech in teaching, cloud-based resources, Google-based classrooms, and Robotics and Coding. Johan has extensive experience in this field and a strong record of active participation in academic and community initiatives, as well as professional development projects, significantly contributing to the advancement of Technology Education and Engineering Graphics and Design.

He obtained his PhD in 2025, with a specific focus on the use of Educational Technology in the teaching and learning of Engineering Graphics and Design. His research has since broadened, with current studies exploring Coding and Robotics in Technology Education, as well as the impact of the Eye Brain Gym application on the academic performance of Engineering Graphics and Design students.

Johan has been a lecturer at the University of the Free State (UFS) since 1999. His areas of expertise include Technology Education, Wood Science, Engineering Graphics and Design, Metal Science, and Business Management. He is a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technological Education.

Neo Mathinya is a lecturer in the Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences Department, from which she obtained her MSc in Soil Science. She holds a PhD from the Production Ecology and Resource Conservation graduate school of Wageningen University and Research (Netherlands). Her research focuses on the complex and dynamic interactions between the biophysical and socioeconomic factors influencing sustainable land use management with analysis at the field, household, and landscape levels. She is experienced in fieldwork, varying from on-site biophysical sampling to stakeholder engagements. She uses R Studio for quantitative analysis and Atlas Ti for qualitative analysis. As a lecturer, she combines teaching and research on the sustainability of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum in different land use systems with a special interest in water availability, access, and quality. Specifically, her work employs systems analysis to understand land use and land-use changes in multi-functional landscapes. With a cup of coffee in her hand, she is transitioning her soil science to agroecology, allowing her to incorporate mixed methods approaches comprehensively in her multidisciplinary research. She joined the UFS as a junior lecturer in 2016. She is what you would call homegrown talent. Only a Kovsie knows the feeling.

Yolandi Schoeman is a pioneering ecological engineer who has dedicated her life to proving that bio-intelligent, functional ecosystems can be designed and restored to support planetary health. Her work fuses ecological engineering, extreme biodiversity, and chronoecological innovation to regenerate Earth’s most fragile systems—and now, even reach beyond them. In 2006, Stellenbosch University invited Yolandi to join the Brightest Young Minds Initiative, leading to her contribution to the book chapter "Engineering Engineering" and the early formation of the scholarly field of Ecological Engineering in Africa. Yolandi is internationally recognized for her transdisciplinary breakthroughs in sustainability, spanning innovations in post-normal science, corporate ecological strategy, and nature-based systems across Russia, Australia, Africa, and the United States. As the founder of the Ecological Engineering Institute of Africa (2014), she continues to collaborate with global academic leaders and institutions. Her recent frontier research integrates astro-ecological and archaeo-ecological engineering, exploring how analogue Earth sites—such as meteorite craters, salt pans, and ancient ecosystems—can help restore both modern ecosystems and inform future life-support systems for off-planet environments.

She holds a PhD in Environmental Management from the University of the Free State (2022) and a second PhD in Economic and Management Sciences from North-West University (2025).

I am a Classical Languages (i.e., Classical Greek and Latin) lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Classics at the University of the Free State. I completed my BA in Ancient Languages (cum laude), BA Honours in Ancient Languages (cum laude), and MA in Ancient Languages with specialisation in Latin at the North West University. I am currently registered for my PhD in Classical Languages with specialisation in Latin at the University of the Free State (The title of my thesis is Liber Primus Fastorum Danicorum Olai Wormii: a critical edition with an English translation and commentary). My area of expertise, however, is in Medieval and Renaissance Latin.

Dr Rouxan Colin Fouché is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics at the University of the Free State, specializing in digital inclusion, community engagement, and strategies to bridge the digital divide. He is the driving force behind the Information Technology Service-Learning (ITSL) project, an initiative that empowers underserved communities with essential computer literacy skills while fostering civic responsibility among university students.

Dr Fouché earned his PhD in Computer Information Systems and holds advanced degrees in Information Technology and Education Management. His research focuses on the intersection of technology, education, and societal development, with a particular emphasis on servicelearning, digital inclusion, and the use of innovative technologies to address community challenges. His scholarly contributions are well-regarded, with publications that reflect his commitment to impactful, engaged research.

A recipient of the UFS Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Service-Learning, Dr Fouché has been recognized for his leadership in embedding service-learning within higher education.

Marthinus is a registered industrial psychologist, specialising in psychometric assessment and structural equation modelling. He recently completed his PhD on the role of technology in reshaping the work-life interface and the importance of boundary management strategies. His research interests are in explanatory research designs involving various psychological resources that enhance human potential.

Ronelle Jansen is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing, University of the Free State. She holds a Master of Social Science in Nursing (MSocSc), a Master of Nursing Science (Psychiatric Nursing Science) (MCur), and a PhD in Nursing. With over 12 years of clinical experience in diverse mental health settings, Dr Jansen is deeply committed to advancing mental health nursing practice and education.

Dr Jansen's professional interests are mental health/psychiatric nursing, health literacy and qualitative research. She has contributed to various research initiatives. Notably, she was involved in the International Mega Project, a research collaboration funded by the Erasmus+ Programme and the European Union, which focused on advancing mental health nursing education and practice across borders. Dr Jansen plays a key role in the administration and leadership of the School of Nursing as she is both the Engaged Scholarship- and Internationalisation Coordinator.

Zandile Mncube is a PhD candidate specialising in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. She is currently in the final stages of her PhD. She has research niche and experience are in the spatial analysis and earth observation, focusing on urban transformation, land use/land cover change, grassland mapping, and nighttime light dynamics. Zandile is also deeply committed to student mentorship, having supervised both honours and master’s students. Her work advances geospatial science through both academic contributions and practical applications.

Marné van Niekerk is the Subject Head and Lecturer, specialising in Managerial Finance, at the School of Accountancy on the Qwaqwa Campus. Her research interests include and have published on sustainable business models and innovative pedagogical approaches, enhancing scholarly teaching and learning in Accounting Education.