Dear Humanities Colleagues

Academic Promotions 

Academic promotions are not simply the allocation of titles but the University’s recognition of excellence in the professional development of our staff and in the life of an academic. I am delighted to announce the promotion of the following staff members with effect 1 January 2021.

Promotion to Senior Lecturer:
Dr A Goedhals             English
Dr E Kruger                 Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
Dr C Lotter                  School of the Arts (Music)
Dr A dos Santos          School of the Arts (Music)

Promotion to Full Professor:
Prof NB Zondi             African Languages

I would also like to congratulate Faheema Mahomed Asmail who has been appointed as the Research and Education chairperson for the South African Speech-Language Hearing Association. 

Appearances on Media Platforms

• Alf Gunval Nilsen’s (Sociology) was interviewed on SAfm about India’s new laws against interfaith marriages. He also wrote a piece on extreme Hindu nationalists in India that was published on New Frame. 
• Antony Goedhals (English) gave a lecture on Buddhism and Science at Ryukoku University, Kyoto at the invitation of Prof. Kosuke Shimizu, who came to UP last year.
• Willie Burger (Afrikaans) spoke about Adam Small on RSG.
• Bibi Burger (Afrikaans) reviewed Willem Anker's novel Skepsel  for Litnet.
• Hein Willemse (Afrikaans) wrote about “Slave Emancipation Day" on Netwerk24. He also delivered a speech at the Afrikaans Language Museum on Afrikaans and reconciliation.
• The Department of Historical and Heritage Studies’ released their first MA coursework short film, The Biography of Kalkfontein. Click here to read more about this film on the Department’s Website. 
• Avi Sooful’s (School of the Arts) solo exhibition hosted by Borderline Art Spaces from Romania had a virtual opening this week. The exhibition includes sculptures in wood as well as paintings and highlights a number of pertinent topics from an African feminist perspective. You can view the exhibition here. 

Publications on academic platforms:

• Elmien Opperman, Talita le Roux, Andries Masenge & Robert H. Eikelboom wrote the article, “The effect of tinnitus on hearing-related quality of life outcomes in adult cochlear implant recipients” that was published in the International Journal of Audiology. 
• Robert H. Eikelboom (et al) co-wrote the article, “Audiological approaches to address the psychosocial needs of adults with hearing loss: perceived benefit and likelihood of use” which was published in the International Journal of Audiology.
• Faheema Mahomed-Asmail and De Wet Swanepoel (et al) published the article, “Validation of the Brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set for hearing loss: an international multicentre study” in the International Journal of Audiology.

Scheduled Events

• Antony Goedhals (English) will appear on Tibet TV on 7 December 2020 at 15:00 (Indian time) speaking at the celebrations of the Year of Gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. This is part of a talk-series that will take place from 4 -11 December 2020.

• Atlas Africa Webinar – University of Pretoria Campus Tours – The Impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry in Africa will discuss UPCT’s new interactive approach on 9 December 2020 at 10:00 (CET). Click here for more information. They held a successful webinar last week with over 150 viewers from 14 countries tuning in, with the president of ATLAS, Prof Tara Duncan from Dalarna University, Sweden opening the event. You can view last week’s webinar here. 

• The HSRC DSI Science Forum 2020 will be held between 9-11 December 2020 and will feature the launch of the book Fabric of Dissent on 9 December 2020 at 16h30. For register for this virtual event click here.