Subarea Leader: Dr Rochelle Marais-Botha
Email Address: Rochelle.MaraisBotha@nwu.ac.za
Website Contact Person: Nthabiseng Mohobe
About the Subarea
Collaboration, Opportunities, Mentorship, Professional Development, Academic Identity, Support and Scholarship for Emerging Researchers
COMPASS is a newly established research strand within COMBER dedicated to advancing understanding of the lived experiences of emerging researchers in higher education. Recognising that early career academics navigate complex and interconnected responsibilities across research, teaching and learning, and community engagement, the strand investigates the personal, professional, institutional and contextual factors that influence their development, wellbeing, academic identity and long-term career sustainability.
Grounded in collaborative, evidence-informed research, COMPASS explores the opportunities, challenges and transitions that characterise the early stages of academic careers. The strand generates knowledge that informs mentoring practices, professional development initiatives, institutional policies and capacity-building strategies that enable emerging researchers to thrive. Central to COMPASS is the belief that emerging researchers are not merely recipients of support but active contributors to scholarly knowledge, innovation and the transformation of higher education.
The strand contributes to COMBER's community-based research by positioning emerging researchers as a scholarly community whose collective experiences, perspectives and expertise drive meaningful research and impact. Through collaborative inquiry, mentorship networks and communities of practice, COMPASS strengthens research capacity while fostering inclusive, sustainable and socially responsive academic environments.
The significance of COMPASS lies in its commitment to bridging research and practice. By generating robust evidence on the lived experiences of emerging researchers and translating these findings into practical interventions, the strand contributes to individual academic success, institutional excellence and the broader advancement of education scholarship. Ultimately, COMPASS aims to cultivate confident, resilient and engaged scholars who are equipped to make meaningful contributions to research, teaching and learning, community engagement, and the future of higher education.
Research Focus Areas
Mentorship and Scholarly Communities of Practice
Exploring mentorship, peer learning, and collaborative networks that foster the professional and scholarly development of emerging researchers.
Lived Experiences, Wellbeing, and Resilience of early career researchers
Investigating the lived experiences, wellbeing, resilience, and challenges that shape the early academic careers of emerging researchers.
Academic Identity development
Examining the development of academic identity, professional learning, scholarly agency, and researcher competencies across the early career trajectory.
Career Pathways, Academic Transitions, and Leadership Succession
Exploring career transitions, academic progression, succession planning, and leadership development within higher education.
Institutional Cultures, Systems, and Academic Ecosystems
Investigating how institutional cultures, policies, leadership, and support systems influence the success and development of emerging researchers. This theme also investigates equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.