The course Melanie teaches at UP, Life Orientation, focuses on emotional intelligence, self-esteem, identity and basic counseling skills. This conference will therefore provide her with an opportunity to gain current international research relating to self-esteem, the media and identity. She will also get an opportunity to meet professionals in psychology and in her field of interest.

Melanie plans to enroll for her PhD studies in August this year. For this study, she will focus on the characteristics of young people who committed serious crimes.

“I want to contribute to a field in which little research has been done. Therefore I am going to talk to experts in England on the subject, before I come home and start my research in South African prisons.”

She is in the process of of identifying experts at the University of Bristol and the University of Essex. Upon her return to South Africa, she plans to present a lecture on the latest research discussed at the conference.

“I hope to use some of my new knowledge in designing a practical assignment on self-esteem and identity for her students, as well as refine her PhD research focus.