Research and publications

Research Projects

2024 - 2026

UCDG Project

Strengthening the Centre for Higher Education Professional Development (CHEPD)

2025 - Ongoing

Research Project

Effects of generative artificial intelligence information platforms on teacher education: Promoting socially responsive curricula in times of change

2025 - 2027

Network Grant funded by the Swedish Research Council.

Reframing Educational and Academic Leadership to Respond to Challenges in neoliberal Higher Education - Intersectional and Gender perspectives

2026 - Ongoing

Research Project

Reimagining continuous professional development of tertiary education teachers within South Africa’s transforming higher education context

Publications

 

Prof Shan Simmonds

Director: CHEPD
Recent Publications
  1. 2024. Challenging dominant education paradigms: posthuman feminist inspirations towards alternate pathways for decolonizing the curriculum. Curriculum Perspectives. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41297-024-00264-9.
  2. 2023. Continuing professional development in a neoliberal higher education context. In: Chitanand, N. & Rathilal, S. (eds). Academic staff development: Disruptions, complexities, and change (Envisioning new futures). Cape Town: SUNMedia. p. 67-87 (co-authors: S Simmonds, S Blignaut, P Du Preez, L Le Grange, M Maistry, L Ramrathan and C Reddy). ISBN 978-1-991260-34-5 https://doi.org/10.52779/9781991260352.
  3. 2022. Sustainability and higher education: Towards an affirmative ethics. Perspectives in Education. L Le Grange, S Simmonds, M Maistry, and Du Preez. 40(3): 118-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/2519593X/pie.v40.i3.8.

Dr Mthobisi Ndaba

Lecturer
Recent Publications
  1. Ndaba, M (2024). Interrogating the Academy: Higher Education Transformation for the Public Good beyond Diversity in Race and Gender. Africa Education Review, 20 (3), 40-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/18146627.2024.2386950.
  2. Namakula, H., & Ndaba, M. (2024). “Leaving No One Behind: Leveraging Support to Promote Access with Success in Post-Graduate Studies”. South African Journal of Higher
    Education 38 (1), 28-41. https://doi.org/10.20853/38-1-6248.
  3. Ndaba, M. 2023. “When Fees Fall: Conceptualizing Higher Education As a Public Good”.
    South African Journal of Higher Education 37 (6), 8-23. https://doi.org/10.20853/37-6-5969. 

Dr Rhea Koch

Lecturer
Recent Publications

  1. Koch, R., & Abebe, A. (2026). From Timbuktu to SKA: Who owns the astronomy knowledge Africa produces? [Preprint and manuscript submitted for publication]. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.21119.

  2. Koch, R., & Heymans, Y. (2026). Peer evaluation in interprofessional groupwork to foster experiential learning: Perceptions of undergraduate health sciences students. In J. Pool, A. Lubbe, & Y. Heymans (Eds.), Reimagining health professions education: Innovations and insights for the 21st century and beyond (Vol. 1, Health Professions Education Book Series). Axiom Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.62869/001c.162832.
  3. Koch, R., Pool, J., & Heymans, Y. (2024). Guidelines for decolonising higher education curricula: A case study in health sciences. In X. D. Khohliso & E. M. Mgqwashu (Eds.), Perspectives on curriculum as praxis: Implications for higher education pedagogy (pp. 353–396). Axiom Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.62869/001c.123967.