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ENVIRONMENTAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE
POSTGRADUATE
STUDENT WELCOME PACK
2018
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WELCOME! Welcome to the EGS department! This handy booklet has been compiled especially for you, as postgraduate students, to smooth your transition into UCT life, help you find everything (and everyone) you need, and help you navigate your way around some of the institutional obstacle courses. We have tried to include all the information you may need to make life as easy as possible during your stay at UCT, and with the EGS department.
CONTENTS
About the University of Cape Town ........................................................................................................................ 4
Who’s Who in the EGS Department ....................................................................................................................... 8
Sharon Adams and Tanya Basadien/Vathiswa Mzamo ...................................................................................... 8 Merle Sowman .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Pippin Anderson ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Gina Ziervogel ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Philile Mbatha ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Shari Daya ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 Marieke Norton .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Sayed Hess .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Academic Staff .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Your Rep ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 The Postgrad Community ................................................................................................................................... 9 Research Units .................................................................................................................................................... 9 African Centre for Cities (ACC) ............................................................................................................................ 9 Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG) ............................................................................................................. 9 The African Climate Development Initiative (ACDI) ............................................................................................ 9
2018 Postgraduate Calendar ................................................................................................................................ 10
EGS Staff Research and Supervisory Profiles ........................................................................................................ 11 Babatunde Joseph Abiodun .............................................................................................................................. 11 Pippin Anderson ............................................................................................................................................... 11 Shari Daya ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Frank Eckardt .................................................................................................................................................... 14 Gareth Haysom ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Bruce Hewitson ................................................................................................................................................. 15 Philile Mbatha ................................................................................................................................................... 16 Mike Meadows ................................................................................................................................................. 16 Marieke Norton ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Henrietta Nyamnjoh ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Zarina Patel ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 Maano Ramutsindela ....................................................................................................................................... 19 Suraya Scheba ................................................................................................................................................... 20 Anna Selmeczi ................................................................................................................................................... 20 Nicholas Simpson ............................................................................................................................................. 21 Rike Sitas ........................................................................................................................................................... 21 Merle Sowman .................................................................................................................................................. 22 Jaci Van Niekerk ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Kevin Winter ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 Rachel Wynberg ................................................................................................................................................ 23 Gina Ziervogel ................................................................................................................................................... 24
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EGS Postgrad Modules and Courses on Offer ....................................................................................................... 26
Full List of EGS Postgrad Modules and Course Codes ....................................................................................... 26
EGS Postgrad Timetables Semester 1 and 2 ......................................................................................................... 27
Detailed Module Information ............................................................................................................................... 29
EGS4023F/EGS5023F: Research Methods for Natural Scientists ...................................................................... 29 EGS4046F/EGS5046F: Water Resource Management ...................................................................................... 29 EGS4045F/EGS5045F: Geomorphology of southern Africa .............................................................................. 29 EGS4038F/EGS5038F: Climate Change and Predictability ................................................................................ 29 EGS4027F/EGS5027F: Quaternary Environmental Change .............................................................................. 30 EGS 4011F/EGS5011F: Theory And Practice Of Environmental Assessment And Management ...................... 30 EGS5031F: Introduction to Climate Change and Sustainable Development .................................................... 30 EGS5032F: Adaptation and Mitigation ............................................................................................................. 30 EGS4041F/EGS5041F: Migration and Transnationalism .................................................................... 31 EGS4057F/EGS5057S Urban Political Ecology .................................................................................................. 31 EGS4039F/EGS5039F: Urban Food Security ..................................................................................................... 31 EGS4024S/EGS5030S: Climate Modelling ......................................................................................................... 32 EGS5024S: Managing Complex Human-Ecological Systems ............................................................................. 32 EGS4056S/EGS5056S: Imagining Southern Cities ............................................................................................. 32 EGS4033S/EGS5033S: Space and Politics.......................................................................................................... 33 EGS4044S/EGS5044S: Urban Ecology ............................................................................................................... 33 EGS4041S/EGS5041S: Critical Perspectives On The Bio-Economy ................................................................... 33 Modules on offer outside the EGS Department ............................................................................................... 34 ECO4052S: Environmental Economics .............................................................................................................. 34 HST4016F: African Environmental History........................................................................................................ 34 PBL5045S: Environmental Law For Non-Lawyers ............................................................................................. 35 SAN4000F: Ethnographic Research Methods and Methodology ..................................................................... 35 SAN5024S: Tradition, Science and Environment .............................................................................................. 35
Getting Connected ................................................................................................................................................ 36
Student Cards ................................................................................................................................................... 36 Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) .......................................................................... 36 Vula ................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Email Account ................................................................................................................................................... 36 Eduroam ........................................................................................................................................................... 36 Internet Log-In .................................................................................................................................................. 37 Student Lab Facilities ........................................................................................................................................ 37 Policies and Rules ............................................................................................................................................. 37
UCT Libraries and Research Tools ......................................................................................................................... 37
Access and Membership ................................................................................................................................... 38 Off-Campus Access ........................................................................................................................................... 38 The UCT Libraries’ Research Portal ................................................................................................................... 38 RefWorks .......................................................................................................................................................... 38 Research Commons .......................................................................................................................................... 38 Referencing and Plagiarism .............................................................................................................................. 38
Research Tools and Events in the EGS Department ............................................................................................. 39
J.W. Talbot Library (EGS Department) .............................................................................................................. 39 Seminars ........................................................................................................................................................... 39 Postgraduate Research Colloquium .................................................................................................................. 39
Supervision ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Finding a Supervisor.......................................................................................................................................... 39
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Selecting a Topic for your Research .................................................................................................................. 39 Completing the Memorandum of Understanding ............................................................................................ 40 Submission of Theses ........................................................................................................................................ 40 Troubleshooting Supervision or Academic Problems ....................................................................................... 40
Writing Assistance at UCT ..................................................................................................................................... 40
EGS Writing Initiative ........................................................................................................................................ 40 UCT Writing Centre - The Postgraduate Writing Project .................................................................................. 40
Fees, Funding and Finances .................................................................................................................................. 41
The Postgraduate Centre and Funding Office................................................................................................... 41 Employment ..................................................................................................................................................... 42
Transformation at UCT .............................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Transformation in the EGS Department ............................................................................................................... 42
Green Campus Initiative ....................................................................................................................................... 43
Transport and Parking .......................................................................................................................................... 44
Jammie Shuttle (Transport) .............................................................................................................................. 44 Parking on Campus ........................................................................................................................................... 44 Ridelink and Jammiebike .................................................................................................................................. 44 Public Transport ................................................................................................................................................ 44 Walking ............................................................................................................................................................. 45
Safety .................................................................................................................................................................... 45
Social Life .............................................................................................................................................................. 46
In the EGS Department ..................................................................................................................................... 46 Clubs and Societies ........................................................................................................................................... 46 Sports ................................................................................................................................................................ 46 UCT Gym and Swimming Pool .......................................................................................................................... 46 In and Around Cape Town ................................................................................................................................ 46
Support Structures, Services and Facilities at UCT ............................................................................................... 46
Campus Protection Services (CPS) .................................................................................................................... 46 UCT Bookshop ................................................................................................................................................... 47 Post Office (Rhodes Gift) .................................................................................................................................. 47 ATMs (Cash Machines) ..................................................................................................................................... 47 Restaurants, Cafés, and Food Outlets on Campus ............................................................................................ 47
EMERGENCY Contact Numbers ............................................................................................................................ 47
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ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
The University of Cape Town is the oldest University in South Africa. It was founded in 1829 as the South African College, a high school for boys. The College had a small tertiary-education facility that grew substantially after 1880, when the discovery of gold and diamonds in the north – and the resulting demand for skills in mining – gave it the financial boost it needed to grow. The College developed into a fully fledged university during the period 1880 to 1900, thanks to increased funding from private sources and the government. In 1886 the Professor of Chemistry, Paul Daniel Hahn, convinced the Council to admit four women into his chemistry class on a trial basis. Owing to the exceptional standard of work by the women students, the College decided to admit women students permanently in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1887. UCT was formally established as a university in 1918. Ten years later, in 1928, the university was able to move the bulk of its facilities to the spectacular Groote Schuur campus on the slopes of Devil’s Peak. UCT has a proud tradition of academic excellence and effecting social change and development through its pioneering scholarship, faculty and students. It is also renowned for its striking beauty and panoramic views of much of Cape Town. UCT’s staff and students come from over 100 countries in Africa and the rest of the world. The university has also built links, partnerships and exchange agreements with leading African and international institutions that further enrich the academic, social and cultural diversity of the campus. UCT’s success can be measured by the scope of study it offers and the calibre of its graduates. The university has six faculties – Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Law, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Science – which are supported by UCT’s Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED), which addresses students’ teaching and learning needs. UCT has more than 60 specialist research units that provide supervision for postgraduate work and is home to more than a quarter of South Africa’s A-rated researchers – academics who are considered world leaders in their fields. UCT continues to work towards its goal to be Africa’s leading research university. Geography has been taught at the University of Cape Town since 1936 when Professor Bill Talbot established a department of that name. The Department of Environmental & Geographical Science
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was established in 1985 with the formal merger of that department (then under the leadership of Professor Ron Davies) and the School of Environmental Studies chaired by Professor Richard Fuggle. Originally housed in the Beattie Building, the department moved to its own premises in 1990 and has its own library, computer, sediment and water laboratories as well as numerous well-equipped seminar and lecture rooms. Diversification of its research and academic programme has been a characteristic of the last two decades and there are several associated research groupings including the formally established research units associated with Climate Systems Analysis, African Climate and Development and the African Centre for Cities. The number of people calling the building home has grown substantially; the department now has 18 academic staff, up to 20 postdoctoral researchers, more than 15 technical support and secretarial staff and a community of around 100 postgraduate students. Environmental & Geographical Science enjoys an excellent reputation as the top department in this discipline in the country for research, including applied research. Research publication output has increased consistently and the department is ranked in the top 50 globally according to the 2016 QS University rankings (placing seventh among southern hemisphere University). Members of the Department have, over many years, played important leadership roles, both within South Africa and beyond. Besides Davies, Meadows (2002-2005) and Oldfield (2011-2014) have been President of the Society of South African Geographers and Fuggle, Winter and Abiodun sat on its Council Meadows (1999), Ramutsindela (2012) and Parnell (2014) have all been awarded Fellowships of the Society, while Meadows (1994-2004) and Ramutsindela (2001-2011) have served as editors of The South African Geographical Journal. Fuggle served on the Executive Committee of the South African Society of Geographers (1973-79; 1983-89) and as its chair (1987-88). The department played co-host to the biennial conference of the Society on two occasions (1987 and 2013), as well as the annual Student Geographical Conference in 1976, 1986 and 2012. Fuggle and others in the Department co-hosted the 1995 International Association of Impact Assessment (IAIA) Congress (held in Durban). Meadows was Chair of the Scientific Programme Committee for the Regional Conference of the International Geographical Union (IGU) in 2002 and was in 2015 elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa, only the second South African geographer to be so. Several academics have held high office in major international organisations: Fuggle was President of the IAIA and Meadows was Vice-President and now Secretary-General and Treasurer on the IGU. Hewitson, an NRF ‘A-rated’ scientists, has been lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 and both Abiodun and Ziervogel have been members of IPCC working groups. Dr Jane Battersby-Lennard of the Department of Environmental & Geographical Science's African Centre for Cities won the 2017 international Premio Daniel Carasso prize, which rewards and encourages outstanding scientific research into sustainable food systems and diets for long-term health. Dr Serge Raemaekers received the Netexplo-Unesco Award in Paris for his work on ABALOBI, UCT’s fisher empowerment project, which was also rated in among the top 10 of 2000 global social change innovations in 2017. Clearly, the intellectual influence of the Department extends well beyond the University campus. For more info on the early history of the University, visit http://www.uct.ac.za/main/about/history For a downloadable campus map, visit: http://www.uct.ac.za/main/contacts/campus-maps
EGS Staff Contact Details
NAME POSITION ROOM NO TEL EXT. EMAIL ENVIRONMENTAL & GEOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE Abiodun, Babatunde Associate Professor 4.10 5737 [email protected] Adams, Sharon HOD Secretary 4.07 2873 [email protected]
Anderson, Pippin Postgraduate Coordinator 4.04 5749 [email protected]
Basadien, Tanya Senior Secretary 4.07 2874 [email protected] Vathiswa Mzamo Senior Secretary 4.07 2874 [email protected] Daya, Shari Senior Lecturer 4.13 2880 [email protected]
Eckardt, Frank Associate Professor 4.05 4117 [email protected]
Geomorphology Lab 5.01 3798 Hess, Sayed Lab. Assistant 3.03.1 2682 [email protected]
Mbatha, Philile Lecturer 4.15 [email protected] Meadows, Mike Professor 4.12 2863 [email protected]
Mukwenha, Phillip IT Support Staff 6.03 2684 [email protected] Nyamnjoh, Henrietta Postdoc fellow [email protected] Patel, Zarina Senior Lecturer 4.09 4306 [email protected] Raemaekers, Serge Lecturer 2.21 2879 [email protected] Ramutsindela, Maano Professor 4.14 2783 [email protected]
Selmeczi, Anna Postdoc fellow [email protected] Scheba, Suraya Lecturer 4.11 [email protected] Simpson, Nick Lecturer 2.23 [email protected] Sowman, Merle Head of Department (HOD) 4.06.1 4740 [email protected]
Van Niekerk, Jaci Researcher 2.24 2872 [email protected] Winter, Kevin Senior Lecturer 4.08 2875 [email protected]
Wynberg, Rachel Associate Professor 2.25 2865 [email protected] Ziervogel, Gina Associate Professor 4.03.1 4796 [email protected] AFRICAN CENTRE FOR CITIES (ACC) Battersby Jane Researcher 5.06.2 5749 [email protected]
Brown-Luthango, Mercy Researcher 2.08.1 2785 [email protected]
Haysom, Gareth Lecturer 5.06.4 5903 [email protected] Joubert, Marlene Administrator 2.07.1 2784 [email protected] Marrengane, Ntombini Researcher 5.06.3 2881 [email protected]
Najaar, Ithra Sen. Research Finance Officer 2.07.1 2864 [email protected]
Oldfield, Sophie Professor 2.17 2876 [email protected] Pieterse, Edgar Director 2.1 2367 [email protected]
Tomas, Antonio Mphil Urban Studies Convenor 2.18 [email protected] Sitas, Rike Researcher 5.06.5 2042 [email protected] Smit, Warren Researcher Manager 2.15 5384 [email protected]
Waglay, Maryam Research Admin. Assistant 2.11 5903 [email protected]
Watson, Vanessa Head of Planning School 2.26 2360 [email protected]
CSAG Barnard, Sharon Administrator 4.03 2784 [email protected]
Climatology students 2.01 5774 Coop, Lisa Researcher 6.01 2748 [email protected] Crespo, Olivier Researcher 4.03 2748 [email protected] Hewitson, Bruce CSAG Director 4.02.1 2878 [email protected]
Jack, Chris Technical Officer 6.03 2684 [email protected]
Johnston, Peter Researcher 6.03 2884 [email protected] Postdoctoral students (CSAG) 2.01 3164 Steynor, Anna Researcher 4.03 2867 [email protected] Tadross, Mark Researcher 6.03 2884 [email protected] ACDI New, Mark ACDI Director 2.22 4054/ 2920 [email protected]
Norton, Marieke ACDI MPhil convenor [email protected] See details on other ACDI affiliated staff on the ACDI website http://acdi.uct.ac.za/core-team
WHO’S WHO IN THE EGS DEPARTMENT SHARON ADAMS AND TANYA BASADIEN/VATHISWA MZAMO Departmental / Administrative Officer and Senior Secretary respectively: Throughout the world the real power in institutions is held by the support staff. This department is no different. If there is anything you need to know, Sharon and Tanya are the people to see. They are not only very helpful, but also very approachable. If they can’t help you, they will be sure to point you in the right direction. Please see Tanya for any postgrad matters. Vathiswa will be assisting Tanya, while she is on maternity leave until March 2018. MERLE SOWMAN Head of Department: Merle Sowman heads up the various committees in the department and has the final say on all matters academic and financial. Merle is a busy woman, so if you need to see her it’s probably best to make an appointment through Sharon or Tanya/Vathiswa. PIPPIN ANDERSON Director of Graduate Studies and MPhil Convenor: Pippin has the task of coordinating postgrad life in the department. Pippin is therefore your port of call for any queries after contacting your co-ordinator. She is very friendly, but also very busy. She has consultation times posted on her door, so please respect those. GINA ZIERVOGEL Honours Co-ordinator: Gina handles the administrative side of the Honours programme and therefore should be able to answer questions about the course and any more general Honours queries. She is the first person you should contact with any queries related to Honours. PHILILE MBATHA Environment, Society and Sustainability (ESS) Masters Co-ordinator & Convenor Chair of the Departmental Transformation Working Group: Philile convenes the ESS Masters programme. She is therefore your first port of call for any queries. She is very friendly and always willing to assist. She has consultation times posted on her door, so please respect those. She is also the Chair of the EGS Transformation Working Group (TWG) which is a dynamic assemblage of diverse EGS staff and students. Throughout the year, the TWG hosts various conversations, events and other forms of engagement at departmental level in order to facilitate transformative processes within the EGS department. Should anyone be interested in participating in TWG activities, please contact Philile. SHARI DAYA Masters by dissertation and PhD Convenor: Shari convenes the Masters by dissertation and PhD programmes. She’s the person to contact with any Masters or PhD admin-related queries. Shari Daya will be on sabbatical for the first half of 2017 and Pippin Anderson will be taking over her role convening our dissertation students for this period. MARIEKE NORTON ACDI MPhil Convenor: Marieke is the course convenor for the Masters in Climate Change and Development. Any questions related to this course, or the ACDI, can be directed to her. SAYED HESS Laboratory Administrator: Sayed is responsible for the labs and therefore responsible for your use of the labs. He is the person to contact with any technical questions. ACADEMIC STAFF The EGS department houses a diverse group of people. Profiles of all the staff can be found on the EGS website (http://www.egs.uct.ac.za/egs/staff/academic/meadows), as well as the respective research unit websites.
YOUR REP You need to elect a rep who will fight your corner in staff meetings and keep you informed of departmental issues. Any grievances should be addressed to them. Staff meetings are held monthly and reps must liaise with Sharon Adams so that they are alerted to these meetings. THE POSTGRAD COMMUNITY Your fellow students will be one of the most useful sources of knowledge and support. When you have a crisis, someone will have had a similar experience and be able to help you out. And when you want to celebrate it all going right, they’ll want to celebrate with you! RESEARCH UNITS Within the department there are different research groupings: the African Centre for Cities (ACC) and the Climate Systems Analysis Group (CSAG). Although the ACDI isn’t housed in the EGS department itself, we also have very close ties with them and their MPhil students are registered in our department. EGS enjoys a close working relationship with these research units, through joint research, supervision and teaching. AFRICAN CENTRE FOR CITIES (ACC)
The ACC was established in 2007 to serve as a platform for interdisciplinary research on urban issues. The primary focus is on applied research to address complex and intractable urban problems and challenges, but this is undertaken in a manner that also advances novel ways of thinking about and understanding urbanism across the global South, but rooted in the realities of African urban spaces. The ACC’s central mission is to
facilitate critical urban research and policy discourses for the promotion of vibrant, democratic and sustainable urban development in the global South from an African perspective. For more info on ACC, access to their publications, papers, and events calendar, visit www.africancentreforcities.net CLIMATE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS GROUP (CSAG)
CSAG is a dynamic group of multi-disciplinary scientists with research projects linked to all aspects of the climate system. CSAG focuses mainly on Global Climate Model (GCM) applications, global climate change, and South African climate processes. The materials they make available are primarily developed to support the climatology teaching at
UCT, but also include current weather forecast and satellite information, and past climatological data for a broader public audience. The CSAG territory is mainly on Level 4 and level 6 in the geological sciences building. For more info on CSAG, access to their forecasts and very active blog, as well as advice about studying climatology, visit: http://www.csag.uct.ac.za/ THE AFRICAN CLIMATE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (ACDI)
The African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) has been established at UCT to facilitate, stimulate and coordinate partnerships and knowledge across disciplines on climate and development issues. With a strong African and Global South perspective, the ACDI’s work is focused on research, teaching at post-graduate level, public awareness and close interaction with policy makers, business
and civil society. Its interdisciplinary focus provides a multi-layered perspective on climate change and development, bringing both interdisciplinary breadth and specialist depth to problems and solutions. http://www.acdi.uct.ac.za/
2018 POSTGRADUATE CALENDAR
EGS STAFF RESEARCH AND SUPERVISORY PROFILES BABATUNDE JOSEPH ABIODUN My research interest is in development, evaluation, and application of dynamic atmospheric models. I work with various types of atmospheric models (i.e. boundary layer models, meso-scale models, regional climate models, global climate models, and air pollution models) but focus on a model that has capability for horizontal grid adaptation (called CAM-EULAG). I evaluate atmospheric models and use them to study atmospheric systems (or conditions) that induce extreme events (like droughts, extreme rainfall, heat waves, and air-pollution episodes) in Africa. I also apply these models for predicting seasonal climates, projecting future climates under different emission scenarios, and understanding potential impacts of land-cover changes on regional climates. I will be on sabbatical in the first half of 2018. I would welcome the following types of projects at Honours, Masters or PhD Level: • How well do regional climate models simulate the characteristics heatwaves in Southern Africa? • Simulating the characteristic of Urban Heat Island in Africa cities and the roles of urban trees. • Potential Impacts of climate change on widespread extreme events in Western Cape • Understanding the characteristics of sea breeze and how it influences weather and air-quality in
Cape Town. • I am also willing to discuss with the students on their choice of research. To effectively work with me at any level, you would need to take the following modules: Research Methods in Natural Science (EGS4023F) and Climate Modelling (EGS4024S). PIPPIN ANDERSON My training is in the areas of ecology and conservation biology. My interest is in both pure ecology and the ecology of peopled landscapes. My current geographic focus is on the urban ecology of the City of Cape Town, and in the realm of restoration ecology. Within this context I am interested the following conceptual areas: plant ecology, land degradation, plant functional types, phenology, ecosystem services, environmental history, restoration, and multifunctional landscapes. I would welcome suggestions from students of their own project ideas, but some suggestions (and for a sense of what I would be happy to supervise) are presented below. Some of these might be appropriate to specific degrees. This is something that could be discussed. Some project ideas for 2018: • What is the current status of St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in the Groote Schuur Estate.
Unpacking its history on this site, and current ecological status. Invader or happy visitor? • A possible project around suburban lawns and their associated ecologies. Perhaps some basic
exclosures in some gardens to explore ecologies around mowing and not-mowing. There is a big literature on this to draw on.
• How permeable is the City of Cape Town? A map, and ground-truthed, understanding of the City of Cape Town with respect to understanding infiltration and other ecosystem services associated with variable cover (for someone looking to hone their GIS skills).
• What would make the perfect urban tree in Cape Town given management, ecosystem services, and biodiversity considerations? An overview of trees in the City – histories, management, preferences etc.
• Rural to urban biodiversity gradients are a common measure in urban ecology, but have not been carried out for Cape Town. What would a biodiversity gradient look like for the City of Cape Town?
• Restoration in renosterveld: seed biology experiments.
Students interested in approaching me with a research topic of their own would need to provide me with a page outlining the topic (Master’s and PhD), making clear the proposed research question, and indicating appropriate areas of literature (Master’s and PhD). Examples of projects I have supervised: Honours Level: • Mapping ecosystem services through time: the case of the Knysna lagoon • Urban heat islands: a model for the City of Cape Town • An examination of the role of a small urban river in informing city bird diversity. • Land-use change and its drivers: examining the expansion of Rooibos tea cultivation in the
Clanwilliam district, Western Cape, from the 1940s to 2008. • An Access Analysis Approach to the Wildflower Industry: Determining the Social, Economic and
Environmental Benefits and Losses Realised on the Agulhas Plain. • Passive restoration following alien plant clearing on Devil’s Peak. • Determining the ecological drivers of Putterlickia pyracantha expansion at Witsands Aquifer. • A description of the small mammal community of Devil’s Peak. • Ecological implications of predicted increased rainfall intensity and drought. • A plant functional type response to drought. JANE BATTERSBY Jane Battersby is an urban geographer with an interest in all things food related. Her current areas of particular interest are urban food systems, urban food policies and the construction of food security theory in Northern and Southern research contexts. This work has both theoretical and applied components. Underpinning her food work is an ongoing interest in the linkages between spatial transformation and identity transformation in post-apartheid urban areas – a topic she has addressed through the lenses of youth identities, education, music and land restitution. She has been the Cape Town Partner of the African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN) since 2008. She is currently the Research Coordinator of the ACC’s Consuming Urban Poverty Project, is associated with the Hungry Cities Programme, and is the PI of the Nourishing Spaces project. Jane is the Premio Daniel Carasso 2017 laureate. She is actively engaged in international, national, provincial and local government policy process, having acted in an advisory or consultative position at these levels, and currently a member of the South African Vulnerability Assessment Committee (SAVAC). Jane serves on the advisory boards of several international research projects.
Jane will be available to supervise. Two projects are available on the “Mallification” of Cape Town, one potentially linked to a food garden in Masi, one on food sensitive planning and potential for a master’s student in participatory mapping in Kimberley.
OLIVIER CRESPO With increasing population on one side and climate changing on the other, the already complex food production systems are under unprecedented pressure. I want to take part in facing this challenge, and this means using my expertise in operations research in combination with my experience in agricultural systems and climate science to explore and identify realistic alternatives for African farming communities. I am particularly working towards a better understanding of short and long term climate change issues in connection with agricultural, and especially small holder community, farming systems in Africa. Involved in consultancy and research projects, I participate to the improvement of global agricultural modelling (e.g. with AgMIP), a better understanding of climate impacts on the agricultural sector (e.g. with IFAD), and enhance adaptation capacity in developing and developed countries (e.g. with FAO). Recently I developed stronger focus and engagement with shorter time scales (month to annual) which is proving to be of high interests and of critical concern to vulnerable farming communities in Africa. I would welcome Honours, Masters or PhD Level (pending appropriate funding) dealing with a mix of climate and agriculture. For instance: SHARI DAYA My research interests lie at the intersection of the humanities and social sciences. Broadly, I am interested in urban identities – race, class and gender - and experiences of modernity in Africa and South Asia. Currently, my research explores how identity intersects with food ethics in the everyday lives of middle-class consumers in three South African cities. My other, ongoing project is on the representation of African and South Asian cities in imaginative texts, particularly novels. I would welcome conversations with students interested in everyday urbanism in the global South; food, culture and consumption; race and gender; and/or cultural representations of urban life in any context. Examples of projects I have supervised: I have supervised qualitative research projects on: life and work in informal settlements; alternative or ethical economies such as cooperatives; experiences of working in the textile industry; homelessness and alcoholism; and more-than-human geographies. Current and recent supervisions include: • Two Thousand and Ten Reasons to Live in a Small Town – Dr Rike Sitas • The Periphery as the Centre: Trajectories of Responsibility and Community Support in
Contemporary Maputo, Mozambique – Dr Beth Oppenheim-Chan • Natural Encounters in Everyday Living: an Ethnographic Study of Pro-Environmental Behaviour in
Nyanga – Ms Megan Lukas • Social Enterprises for Social Inclusion: Are Ethical Markets the Answer? – Ms Vrinda Chopra
FRANK ECKARDT I am first and foremost interested in the physical geography and geomorphology of Southern Africa. This entails the study of contemporary processes related to slopes, dryland environments and land cover change as well as longer term dimensions that may include tectonic processes as well as aspect related to landscape evolution. Interpreting the land surface in the context of both climate, past and present as well as geology, soils, lithology and hydrology helps us understand the form-process relationship, appreciate the modern day environment and may point us to future changes. I would welcome the pursuit of a wide range of topics relevant to physical geography and the human impact on the landscape in South Africa and beyond. Examples of projects I have supervised: Honours, Masters or PhD Level:
• Mass movement and climate triggers on the Cape Peninsula • Off road driving, damage and rehabilitation in the Namib Desert • The history of gully erosion in Western Cape • Impact of mining on river chemistry in Kwazulu Natal • Synoptic controls of water chemistry in Marion Island • Bush encroachment from aerial photography in the Kruger Park • Remote sensing of oil spills in the Niger Delta • Ethnobotany and land cover change from remote sensing in Limpopo • Dust sources and emission processes in Namibia and Botswana • River long profiles and their response to tectonic processes in Zambia and The Congo
I would welcome any student interested in physical geography and a background including geology, geography or climatology. Willingness to read widely and synthesise independently is essential. I am keen among other things, to support any research interest requiring remotely sensed data, including historic aerial photography, mapping and GIS, water and soil chemistry, grain size analyses as well as climate data past and present. GARETH HAYSOM Research focus and interests: My research interest is in urban food geographies, specifically considering urban food security, urban food system governance and how cities in Africa and the Global South are engaging with (or not) rapid changes in the food system. My research spans a number of food system activities and outcomes including urban food insecurity, the nutrition transition, supermarketisation, the informal food economy and different forms of agency within the urban food system. These interests feed directly into the projects in which I work. These projects include: the Hungry Cities Partnership, a collaboration between researchers in seven Southern cities including Mexico City, Kingston (Jamaica), Maputo, Nairobi, Bangalore, Nanjing and Cape Town. The second, the Governing Food Systems to Alleviate Poverty in Secondary Cities in Africa, uses food as a lens to investigate urban poverty in Kisumu, Kitwe and Epworth. The third is the Nourishing Spaces programme, a more qualitative research proejct considering nutrition in urban spaces, with research partners based in Cape Town and Kimberly, Windhoek and Oshakati, and Nairobi and Kisumu, partnering in this research. My work considers the accessability and utilisation dimensions of urban food security. Issues of food safety, urban agriculture and production are generally outside my area of expertise.
I would welcome the following types of projects: Honours and Masters Level:
• Research considering a variety of urban food security issues and responses in African cities. • Urban food system governance. • The informal food economy and its impact on food security and/or poverty.
I would expect students to take: EGS4039F - Urban Food Security, convened with Dr. Jane Battersby. Examples of projects I have supervised (all MPhil): Food systems and urban food systems:
• 'Ilima', 'Izithebe' and the 'Green Revolution'. A complex agro-ecological approach to understanding agriculture in Pondoland and what this means for sustainability through the creation of 'Living Landscapes.
• Reconceptualising urban food security: an analysis of the everyday negotiations of food access in Lusaka, Zambia.
• An exploration of the competing policy imperatives in the Philippi Horticultural Area. BRUCE HEWITSON My interests are wide, ranging around many topics that are centred on the climate system. Core elements of my work relate strongly to climate change, variability, extremes, uncertainty, analysis methods, and climate information for society. Working with me inevitably will draw you into the broader activities of CSAG (see www.csag.uct.ac.za for a sense of what we cover, and the post-doc and post-grad community to engage with), and most probably alongside one of the post-docs or MSc/PhD students as co-supervisors. Projects with me will inevitably involve working with climate data, and so students with good numerical and/or computing skills are particularly welcome as this significantly opens the scope of projects. Top students may have the opportunity to participate in the fieldwork programs in the Eastern Cape and in Free State, and centre projects on these activities (boundary layer and land-atmosphere interactions, remote sensing development with drone aircraft). The option exists for good students to join a 1+2 bursary plan. We will provide an Honours bursary and a commitment for continuation of the bursary for an MSc (subject to satisfactory Honours results). I would welcome the following types of projects: Honours, Masters or PhD Level: • Multi-decadal oscillations in (southern) African climate, history and future prospects • Using satellite-measured rainfall data in downscaling of climate change simulations • Influence of weather forecast uncertainty and hydrological model error on skill and reliability of
seasonal hydrological forecast • Role of change in daily rainfall on hydrological impact indicators derived from monthly rainfall-
runoff models. • Assessing the CMIP5 multi-model projections of climate change for southern Africa • Projected changes in extreme events; relating GCM and observed data • Evaluating the different data perspectives of historical climate from models, satellites, and
station observations • A comparison of wind data gathered by SODAR and tower at the Elim Wind Atlas site • Thirsty work! The relationship between local climate and catchment - a map of minimums • Climate change as indicated by circulation changes • Changes in climate teleconnections using climate indices
PHILILE MBATHA My research interests are mostly within marine and coastal governance research in the Western Indian Ocean of southern Africa, particularly focusing on rural contexts along the coast. I have vast experience in the research field working with rural, as well as economically poor and marginalized communities focusing on coastal resource and biodiversity management and governance issues. Specifically, I have experience in and passionate about conducting research focusing on fisheries, mining, tourism, coastal biodiversity as well as broader conservation of coastal resources along the coast focusing on issues around access, use, benefit sharing as well as governance of resources across the different sectors in various areas. I am also interested in human rights issues connected to marine and coastal governance processes impacting rural areas in South Africa. In addition, my research also largely focuses on issues pertaining rural livelihoods, sustainable livelihoods, sustainable and socially responsible natural resource management, rural development, the role of politics and power in decision-making processes from local to international levels. I would be happy to supervise or assist students with the following types of projects: Interdisciplinary research in these and similar topics
• Environment and rural development • Interactions between coastal management/governance and rural livelihood strategies • Coastal governance and land reform • Plural/multi-level governance and management of the coast • Agriculture as a livelihood in coastal communities • Rural livelihoods and natural resource conservation • The role of tourism in rural development along the coast • Customary/traditional and statutory governance systems in rural contexts • Understanding issues surrounding trans-boundary or trans-frontier coastal
resource/biodiversity use, access and governance between South Africa and Mozambique MIKE MEADOWS My research focus lies within the broader discipline of Physical Geography. More specific interests deal with the evolution of late Quaternary environments and the relative roles of natural and anthropogenic climate change. The main methodology for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction has been fossil pollen analysis but I have interests in a wide range of other proxies, including sediment characteristics, geomorphology, geochemistry and other palaeoecological tools. I am also interested in using remote sensing and GIS to explore the dynamics of the physical landscape in response to climate change, human impact etc. I have a major project funded jointly by South Africa and China which is aimed at exploring contrasts in hydrodynamics and sediment characteristics of the Knysna and Yangtze estuaries. I would welcome the following types of projects: Honours, Masters and PhD Levels: • Quaternary palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental studies, in particular involving pollen or
diatoms as proxies in sedimentary archives but also including the physical and geochemical characteristics of the sediments themselves (we have a new laser particle size analyser in the lab).
• Sediment studies dealing with physical or geochemical characteristics of wetland and other sediments (existing cores or new sites)
• Coastal sediment dynamics (Pringle Bay) • Land use and cover change using remote sensing and GIS Students interested in approaching me with a research topic of their own would need to provide me with a page outlining the topic (Honours, Masters and PhD), making clear the proposed research question (Masters and PhD), and indicating appropriate areas of literature (Masters and PhD). Examples of recent projects I have supervised recently: • Land use changes in the Princess Vlei catchment and its implications for water quality. • Land use change in the Swartland, 1837-2010. • Soil-vegetation relationships on the Tygerberg • Small mammal-vegetation relationships on the Tygerberg • Debris flows on Table Mountain • Modern diatom distribution and environments of Verlorenvlei • Late Quaternary palaeoenvironments of the Wilderness Lakes • Radiocarbon reservoir correction for the southern and eastern coasts of South Africa MARIEKE NORTON I currently coordinate the ACDI MSc/MPhil Specialising in Climate Change and Sustainable Development. I am an environmental anthropologist, having completed my PhD in UCT’s Department of Social Anthropology. My doctoral research was a transdisciplinary project between Social Anthropology and the Ma-Re Institute, looking at the state of marine resource law enforcement in the Western Cape. My personal and research interests are on the interactions between humanity and the environment, and the relations between these spheres that sustain, shape and change each other. My research and publications have been specifically geared towards re-thinking the relations between the natural and social sciences, in order to establish modes of collaboration that reframe the issues of climate change and sustainable development as interdisciplinary projects that support and innovate human and non-human well-being. I also hold a Masters in Social Anthropology on the topic of marine resource policy implementation and a degree in Media and Film Studies. I would welcome the following types of projects (Honours or Masters level):
• Environmental law enforcement (terrestrial and marine) • Ethnographic case-studies • Multi-species ethnographies in the context of environmental change and adaptation • Social adaptations to resource scarcity • Impact of climate change information on publics
Examples of previous environmental projects I have supervised or am currently supervising:
• Fracking and race in the Karoo • Urban water scarcity in Harare, Zimbabwe • Social activism and inshore ocean pollution
HENRIETTA NYAMNJOH Research focus and interests: Mobility/migration, migrants and urban space transformation and appropriation, transnationalism, Hometown Associations and the emergence of new migrant communities; in short studies on migrants’ everyday lives I would welcome any projects along these topics but also opened to discuss a topic chosen by the student. If you have your own research topic, it would be helpful if you can provide an outline, clear research questions, and/or literature review. Students are expected to be conversant with related literature and be able to engage critically with the theoretical debates. Honours Level: • Any research that seeks to understand migrants’ participation
towards urban space transformation and appropriation. • Home town Associations and the development nexus. • Research that focuses on migration and mobility. • I am also willing to discuss with the students his/her choice of research. Masters Level:
• I would like to co-supervise any student working on related topics above ZARINA PATEL My research is concerned with the multiple dimensions of the meaning and practice of sustainable development at the city scale. Using an engaged and applied approach to research, my concern with the justice implications of the gap between policy and practice in sustainability transitions has focussed on three themes: urban knowledge, urban governance and tools for decision making. Whilst South African cities and their respective policy processes are the geographical focus of my work, the theoretical application pivots around these three themes and the interrelationships between them. I would welcome the following types of projects: • Interpretations of sustainable development in theory
and practice: How is sustainable development understood differently amongst different local government departments and between stakeholders, and how does this in turn affect outcomes.
• What does ‘think globally act locally’ mean in practice? This can be examined through a focus on the USDG, or other global urban policy agendas.
• The role of knowledge and tools in environmental decision making: what sorts of knowledges are prioritised in decision making, through what processes, and to what effect?
• The relationship between urban climate governance and sustainable development: does a shift in focus to climate change compromise or enhance the achievement of the goal of sustainable development?
• Understanding the relationship between environmental policy and governance arrangements: Which departments and stakeholders need to be engaged in the implementation of policy, and what would their respective roles be?
Examples of projects I have supervised: • Exploring the link between global policies and acting locally to address climate adaptation:
responding to the climate change SDG in Cape Town – Honours 2017
• Low carbon energy transitions for informal settlements: A case study of iShack South Africa – Masters 2017.
• Interpretation and practice of sustainable development: A case study of road development in Zambia – Honours 2016
• An exploration of the competing policy imperatives in the Philippi horticultural Area (UCT) – Honours 2016
• Partnerships and framing in sustainable development: Implications for achieving social justice in urban agriculture – Honours 2015
• An Investigation onto the relationship between information and environmental behaviour: a case study of Cape Town’s Smart Living Campaign – Masters 2014
• Sustainable development, environmental justice and the City of Cape Town’s Environment Agenda 2009-2014 – Honours 2012
In order to be supervised by me, I would expect you to take the Environmental Policy and Practice Module (EGS 4047) – not on offer in 2018. Modules on the South African City will be an advantage. As I am on sabbatical for the first half of 2018, students interested in being supervised by me will be required to provide me with a strong written motivation outlining the topic, research questions, and possible case study area you are interested in investigating as a basis for discussion. Only topics that align closely with the suggested projects listed above will be considered. MAANO RAMUTSINDELA (ON SABBATICAL IN SECOND SEMESTER, 2018) My main research foci and interests are in political ecology, regionalism and land reform. I use political ecology approaches to investigate green violence, transfrontier conservation in Africa, land reform in protected areas, and private sector investment in conservation areas. I would welcome the following research projects: Types of projects/topics welcomed: Honours Level:
• Land reform projects in any province in South Africa or any country in Africa
• Environmental NGOs • Disputes over municipal boundaries • Community-based conservation
Masters and PhD Levels:
• Peace Parks projects • National Parks (social science perspectives) • Environmental Conflict and Violence
SERGE RAEMAEKERS My research work engages with systems thinking and fisheries governance practice with the aim to recommend governance models and management approaches that are more applicable to small-scale fishers ‘realities. Most of my work is centered on social learning processes with local small-scale fishers, with the aim to ensure that the communities’ knowledge; needs and vision are adequately captured and incorporated in any planning and decision-making processes.
Some possible project themes for 2018 are listed below but I am very open to other ideas too. Honours Level:
• Use of technology to enhance safety at sea for small-scale fishers • Use of mobile applications in recreational fisheries sector: opportunities for stewardship
Masters Level:
• Socio-economic profile of the traditional line-fishery • Marine Spatial Planning and the small-scale fisheries policy • Conflict and overlap between the small-scale and recreational fisheries
SURAYA SCHEBA In my work, I aim to understand the socio-ecological dynamics that shape urban environments, with a focus on cities of the south. As my theoretical entry point I use urban political ecology, which argues for the necessity to examine relations of power and politics in making sense of urban forms, infrastructure development and socio-economic inequalities in contemporary (capitalist) society. Drawing on this lens allows me to surface the contested political processes underlying urban challenges, with a focus on questions of access, as well as the possibilities that support more just, sustainable and equitable futures. In examining these themes, I have thus far conducted research on the politics of water provision in the City of Cape Town; decision-making processes around desalination technology adoption in the Western Cape; and modes of everyday life in Delft, a low – income community in Cape Town, and how these shape urbanisation processes. I would welcome research projects that speak to these specific interests, and those with a wider concern to explore unequal access to the city and struggles for more equitable societies. ANNA SELMECZI My background is in political theory and my broad research interest lies in popular politics in the city: how do people theorise and contest social, political, and spatial marginalization and exclusion? Rooted in my earlier research with a shack-dwellers’ movement in Durban and a more recent project alongside a cultural activist collective in Khayelitsha, I am especially interested in knowledge dynamics at work in popular politics (e.g. social movements’ pedagogical practices), as well as the relationship between art and politics (e.g. how might creative activism challenge exclusionary spatial ordering?). With professor Sophie Oldfield at the African Centre for Cities (ACC) and Clive Barnett at the University of Exeter (UK), currently I am participating in a research project that traces the changes in South African urban theory over the last four decades, looking at how urbanists’ thoughts about the city and the role, nature, and theoretical resources of urban studies have shifted from apartheid to democracy. I will not be supervising any new students this year.
NICHOLAS SIMPSON Nick’s research has focused on environmental assessment, human development and capabilities, and public participation in environmental decision-making tools. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow with the Institute for Safety Governance and Criminology (SafGo) in the Department of Public Law, where he is focusing on ‘resilience', particularly as the concept is framed, understood and used in the various emergent ‘worlds’ we live in today, and as a concept for the governance of environmental harms. Nick is located in the Law Faculty but has an office in the EGS department, please email him first to arrange an appointment.
Some examples of Nick’s recent research and consulting projects:
• Review and synthesis of multiscalar poverty indicators in South African national census data for coastal fishing communities living in the newly designated Marine Protected Areas.
• External Specialist Review of the Operational Safeguards for five selected EIAs for the African Development Bank. South African Institute for Environmental Impact Assessment (SAIEA).
• Evaluation and review of 15 years of research on the livelihoods, capabilities, governance and resource conditions of small scale fishing communities in South Africa. (Small-scale Fisheries Research & Governance Unit in the Environmental and Geographic Science Department of the University of Cape Town).
• Literature Review for, Sowman M. and Raemaekers, S. 2017. Socio-ecological Vulnerability Assessment in Coastal Communities in the BCLME region.
• Literature Review for, FAO. 2015. Community-level socio-ecological vulnerability assessments in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, by Serge Raemaekers and Merle Sowman. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Circular No. 1110. Rome, Italy.
• Literature Review for, Harte et al., 2015. Barriers to risk reduction: Dontse Yakhe, South Africa, Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 24 Iss 5 pp. 651 – 669.
RIKE SITAS Straddling the academic world of urban studies and creative practice, I am fascinated by the intersection of culture cities, and more specifically on the role of art in urban life. My doctoral research stemmed out of several years of experience as a public arts practitioner, particularly in the NPO, dala. The PhD focused on exploring the idea of an affective urbanism by looking at the role public-facing art can play in producing knowledge about the city. Linked to this is exploring the impact of the creative economy and cultural policy. A large part of this focus means unpacking the notions of public space and public life in Southern cityness. It was this interest that underpinned my involvement in the Density Syndicate and Serious Fun, two components of ACC’s City Desired exhibition. I came to Urban Studies via Historical Studies, Political Science, Sociology and Fine Art. It was this grounding in the Humanities and Social Sciences that underpins my involvement in ACC’s Urban Humanities group. Currently, I am coordinating Cape Town’s involvement in Mistra Urban Futures, UrbanAfrica.Net, Public Art and the Power of Place, and coordinating the ACC’s Academic Seminar Series. I would welcome the following types of projects:
Honours and Masters Level: • Art, culture and heritage and cities • Creative economies • Culture-based urban development • Public spaces • Urban humanities MERLE SOWMAN Merle has a PhD in the field of integrated coastal management and has been involved in research, consulting and teaching in the field of integrated environmental and coastal management since 1985. Her key research interests are governance of coastal and fishery systems (where systems are understood to be human-ecological systems), marine protected areas, and integrating sustainability thinking and social justice concerns into planning and decision-making processes. Current research projects include 1) investigating small-scale fisheries governance issues in countries falling within the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME); 2) coastal vulnerability assessments; 3) understanding the human dimensions of marine protected areas; and 4) analysing the small-scale fisheries policy development and implementation process in South Africa. I would welcome the following types of projects: Honours Level: • Integrated Coastal Management: some examples include 1) managing risks associated with
projected sea-level rise; and 2) vulnerability to climate variability and change in coastal contexts • Small-scale fisheries management and governance • Community involvement in conservation efforts - what motivates people to conserve (or not) Examples of projects I have supervised: • Investigating coastal access trends and issues in various regions of South Africa • Co-management as an alternative approach to small-scale fisheries management • Framework for addressing non-compliance in fisheries • Environmental issues and Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) • Environmental Impact Assessment as a tool for sustainable development? • Human dimensions of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Access to protected areas by local
communities
JACI VAN NIEKERK My research interests include the interface between social justice, biological diversity, rural livelihoods and traditional knowledge; research ethics; and developing Participatory Action Research methods. I have been working as a researcher in the EGS Department since 2009, initially with the Environmental Evaluation Unit, and since 2014 for the SARChI Research Chair on the Environmental and Geographical Dimensions of the Bio-Economy. I enrolled for a PhD in 2017, aiming to conceptually locate foodways (the intersection of food, culture, history and identity) in the context of food systems of remote, rural communities in the biodiverse global South.
My work focuses on three themes: • The livelihoods of marginalised residents of the Cederberg mountains, and potential
livelihood opportunities presented by the shift away from farming to tourism. • The commercial use of indigenous biological resources and associated traditional
knowledge, with a focus on understanding the role of providers in such trade chains. • Strengthening the rights of small-scale farmers who practice agroecology, particularly their
rights to save and exchange the seed of their choice. I would welcome the following types of projects: Honours Level: I would welcome Honours projects related to the three themes listed above, particularly where the research question dovetails with projects I am currently involved in such as the Seed and Knowledge Initiative, Voices for BioJustice and Co-creating Wild Foods Livelihoods in the Cederberg mountains. For more information on these projects, click on the “Projects” tab on www.bio-economy.org.za. Although I will be the main point of contact, Honours projects will be co-supervised with A/Prof Rachel Wynberg. KEVIN WINTER One of my research interests lies in urban water management and currently focuses on Water Sensitive City Design (WSUD). I am a lead researcher in the Urban Water Management research group at UCT which has completed research over the past five years in the use of greywater, the design of temporary urban water drainage, sewerage and sanitation systems in informal settlements. The challenge now is to incorporate new WSUD thinking and practice into rapidly urbanizing cities in South Africa. • See the work of the WSUD team at www.wsud.co.za • The vision for WSUD is illustrated in cities like Australia. See:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/lCOHRCZOM6Y?rel=0&autoplay=1
The second area of research interest lies in Knowledge Management within the water sector. The most recent project deals with the prioritization of water research questions (See www.aquaduct.org.za). In 2013, one of my projects involved a ‘gap’ analysis of human capacity, techniques and technologies in the water and wastewater sector in South Africa. A few 2013 Honours students were involved in this project and were able to develop their dissertations within this field of knowledge and the project itself. I would welcome the following types of projects: Honours Level: • Rehabilitation of urban water systems including measures to mitigate and manage pollution, e.g.
the use of wetlands and riparian zones to treat surface waters and runoff • Theory and practice of social learning in the governance of urban surface water systems RACHEL WYNBERG My broad area of work is linked to the SARChI Research Chair titled Environmental and Social Dimensions of the Bio-economy. This includes a focus on biopolitics, rights, benefit sharing, the commercialization and trade of biodiversity, and the integration of social justice into biodiversity concerns and environmental governance. Long-term projects explore seed, knowledge and alternative, agroecological visions for agriculture in southern Africa; community rights to biodiversity;
engaged scholarship and the bio-economy; the co-creation of wild food livelihoods; and policy analysis relating to access and benefit sharing and the commercial use and regulation of biodiversity and traditional knowledge. Much of the research is strongly inter-disciplinary and students would be expected to have an interest in interdisciplinary approaches and methods. Several projects require students to be actively involved in socially conscious research at community level. Students interested in topics related to this research area are welcome to come and talk to me about possibilities. Best is to e-mail me to set up an appropriate time: [email protected] I am out of the country until 21 February 2018. Please visit the website for more information about past projects that I have supervised and ongoing research projects: www.bio-economy.org.za Possible project topics: Some possible projects are listed below as a starting point but I am very open to other ideas too. NRF Bursaries may be available for South African students with good academic records. An allowance is available for fieldwork expenses, regardless of nationality. A prerequisite for interested Masters students is the successful completion of the “Critical Perspectives on the Bioeconomy” course, to be run in the second semester. Possible projects at Masters and PhD Level:
• Landscapes of transgene contamination: exploring impacts on small-scale farmers • How do small-scale farmers select their traditional seed? • Policy conundrums in protecting and recognising traditional knowledge in South Africa • Exploring the uptake of agroecology in South Africa • Locating biodiversity and ecosystems in agroecological practice • How have genetically modified crops in South Africa changed chemical use among
commercial farmers? • Glyphosate use in South Africa • Seed systems in an urban context • The role of local markets in seed provision • Medicinal use of coastal resources in South Africa • Land reform and the bio-economy • Access and benefit sharing in fisheries and agriculture • Contemporary analyses of bioprospecting in southern Africa • Understanding the value of genetic resources in industrial biotechnology in South Africa • Access and benefit sharing in the Aloe industry • From muti to medicine: The development of Sceletium tortuosum as an anti-depressant
drug GINA ZIERVOGEL My interest is in understanding how people, systems and institutions are impacted by and responding to climate variability and change within the local governance context. My current focus is at the municipal scale and how this links to local communities and national activities. I am particularly interested in the barriers to and opportunities for adapting to environmental change and building resilience. Some of the themes I am interested in are understanding the institutional and governance challenges of responding to complex problems in a development context and the implications of adaptation and resilience for social justice. Methodologically I am interested in transdisciplinary research that contributes to engaged scholarship.
I would welcome the following types of projects: Honours and Masters Level: • Climate change adaptation governance • Synergies and tensions between resilience, climate change adaptation and transformation • Integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation • Understanding diverse perspectives of resilience in relation to water • Water sector responses to climate change in Cape Town Examples of projects I have supervised: Honours Level: • Response to flood risk in Cape Town: preparing or responding to flooding? • Water management devices in Cape Town: just adaptation or weapons of mass destruction?
EGS POSTGRAD MODULES AND COURSES ON OFFER In order to be awarded your honours or masters degree, you are required to take a number of modules. There are specific requirements for the types and number of modules you take; so be sure to refer to your degree-specific information packs, and to coordinate with and seek permission from your respective postgraduate coordinators (Philile for Masters and Gina for Honours). Honours and masters students choose from the same list of courses, and will be in the same classes, but with differences in assessment. Unless specified, all listed courses are on offer to both honours and masters students. Please note that masters level courses are the same, but are coded differently. FULL LIST OF EGS POSTGRAD MODULES AND COURSE CODES FIRST SEMESTER Course Code (Honours)
Course Code (Masters)
Course Title Convenor
EGS4023F EGS5023F Research methods for natural scientists Sabina Abba-Omar EGS4046F EGS5046F Water Resource Management Kevin Winter EGS4045F EGS5045F Geomorphology of southern Africa Frank Eckardt EGS4038F EGS5038F Climate Change and Predictability Bruce Hewitson EGS4027F EGS5027F Quaternary Paleoenvironments Mike Meadows EGS4011F EGS5011F Theory & Practice of Environmental
Assessment and Management Nicolas Simpson
EGS5031F EGS5031F Introduction to Climate Change and Sustainable Development*
Marieke Norton
EGS5032F EGS5032F Mitigation and Adaptation* Debbie Sparks and Marieke Norton EGS4041F EGS5041F Migration and transnationalism Henrietta Nyamnjoh EGS4057F EGS5057F Urban Political Ecology Suraya Scheba EGS4039F EGS5039F Urban Food Security Jane Battersby EGS5062F Urban Everyday* Sophie Oldfield EGS5063F Urban Theory* Edgar Pieterse Course Code
Course Title Convenor
EGS4024S EGS5030S Climate Modelling Babatunde Abiodun EGS5024S EGS5024S Managing complex human ecological
systems Merle Sowman
EGS4056S EGS5056S Imagining Southern Cities Shari Daya & Rika Sitas EGS4033S EGS5033S Spaces and Politics Anna Selmeczi EGS4044S EGS5044S Urban Ecology Pippin Anderson EGS4041S EGS5041S Critical Perspectives on the Bio-economy Rachel Wynberg ECO4025S ECO4025S Environmental Economics Tony Leiman APG5089S Arts of Space* António Tomás PBL5045S Environmental Law Alexander Paterson
*Limited places available as these are part of dedicated Masters programmes
EGS POSTGRAD TIMETABLES SEMESTER 1 AND 2 FIRST SEMESTER 2018
Course Code Course Title Convenor Time Slot Honours Masters EGS4023F EGS5023F Research methods for natural scientists SA Monday 2pm EGS4046F EGS5046F Water Resource Management KW Tuesday 2 pm EGS4045F EGS5045F Geomorphology of southern Africa FE Thursday 2 pm EGS4038F EGS5038F Climate Change and Predictability BH Thursday 9 am EGS4027F EGS5027F Quaternary Paleoenvironments MM Wednesday 2 pm
EGS4011F EGS5011F Theory & Practice of Environmental Assessment and Management NS Friday 10am
EGS5031F EGS5031F Introduction to Climate Change and Sustainable Development MB Tuesday & Thursday 11 am
EGS5032F EGS5032F Mitigation and Adaptation MB Tuesday & Thursday 11 am EGS4039F EGS5039F Urban Food Security JB Wednesday 10am EGS4041F EGS5041F Migration and transnationalism (Official title
for this code is Approaches and Issues in Physical and Environmental Science)
HN Monday 2pm
EGS4057F EGS5057F Political ecology SS Monday 10am & Friday 1pm
EGS5062F Urban Everyday SO Tuesday 9am-12pm EGS5063F Urban Theory EP Fridays 9am-12pm
Monday
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
09:00 AM EGS5062F EGS 4038/ EGS5038F EGS5063F
10:00 AM EGS4057F/EGS5057F EGS5062F EGS4039/EGS5039F EGS 4038/ EGS5038F
EGS4011F EGS5011F / EGS5063F
11:00 AM EGS4057F/EGS5057F EGS5031F/32F/ EGS5062F EGS4039/EGS5039F EGS5031F/32F
EGS4011F EGS5011F/ EGS5063F
12:00 PM
EGS5031F/32F EGS5031F/32F
01:00 PM EGS4057F/EGS5057F
02:00 PM EGS4023/EGS5023F EGS4040F/EGS5040F EGS4046F/EGS5046F
EGS4027/EGS5027F EGS4045/EGS5045F EGS4057F/EGS5057F
03:00 PM EGS4023/EGS5023F EGS4041F/EGS5041F EGS4046F/EGS5046F
EGS4027/EGS5027F EGS4045/EGS5045F
04:00 PM
05:00 PM
SECOND SEMESTER 2018 Course Code Course Title Convenor Time Slot Honours Masters EGS4024S EGS5030S Climate Modeling BA Monday 2 pm EGS4056S EGS5056S Imagining Southern Cities SD & RS Thursday 10 am EGS4041S EGS5041S Critical Perspectives on the Bio-economy
(Official title for this code is Approaches and issues in Physical and Environmental Science)
RW
Tuesday 10 am EGS5024S EGS5024S Managing complex human ecological systems MS Friday 10 am EGS4044S EGS5044S Urban Ecology PA Wednesday 10 am EGS4033S EGS5033S Space and Politics AS Monday 10 am APG5089S Arts of Space AT Mondays 2-5pm
Monday
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
09:00 AM EGS 4038/ EGS5038F
10:00 AM EGS4033S/ EGS5033S EGS4041S/EGS5041S EGS4044F/EGS5044S EGS4056S/ EGS5056S EGS5024S
11:00 AM EGS4033S/ EGS5033S EGS4041S/EGS5041S EGS4044F/ EGS5044S EGS4056S/ EGS5056S EGS5024S
12:00 PM
01:00 PM
02:00 PM EGS4024S/EGS5030S/ APG5089S
03:00 PM EGS4024S/EGS5030S/ APG5089S
04:00 PM APG5089S 05:00 PM
DETAILED MODULE INFORMATION ALL OUR POSTGRADUATE COURSES ARE CODED FOR HONOURS (STARTING WITH A 4, SO EGS4011S) OR FOR MASTERS (STARTING WITH A 5, SO EGS5011). SOMETIMES THE CODES ARE NOT AN EXACT TRANSLATION (YOU CANNOT SIMPLY SWITCH THE 4 OR THE 5). PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING THE CORRECT CODE. EGS4023F/EGS5023F: RESEARCH METHODS FOR NATURAL SCIENTISTS First Semester; Course Convenor: Sabina Abba-Omar The course has a dual purpose. Firstly, a series of weekly lectures and hands-on practical seminars on the nuts and bolts of quantitative analysis. The analysis techniques investigated are (mostly) the fundamental methods found commonly in the literature; viz: Classification, time series analysis, EOF/PCA, non-linear analysis. EGS4046F/EGS5046F: WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT First Semester; Course Convenor: Kevin Winter The aim of the module is to develop a comprehensive understanding of issues and challenges in water resources management at both an urban and catchment scale, and with a primary focus on the South African context. The various themes in this module will present a fascinating interplay of tensions and challenges that play out in geographical space and over time, and will involve the consideration of factors such as the increasing demand that society places on scarce water resources; on efforts to meet the basic social need for clean, potable water; on the consequences of interventions and institutional arrangements involved in water governance; and on the role of the private sector in managing water risk in a particular catchment. The module also emphasises the value of an integrated understanding of theories and practices in water resources management and it does so by exploring the perspectives and approaches of sustainability science. Key themes in the module include water quality, monitoring and compliance; new directions in water research in South Africa; a consideration of biological treatment of water; participation in water governance; and how corporate enterprises are becoming leaders in water stewardship, shared water risk and value creation. These and other themes will be discussed in interactive seminar sessions. The course includes a three week directed reading period, as well as a 4-day field camp which will explore a catchment from watershed to estuary. EGS4045F/EGS5045F: GEOMORPHOLOGY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA First Semester; Course Convenor: Frank Eckardt The aim of this course is to introduce students to the theory of geomorphological systems and apply this to an area or topic of their choice. The course is particularly targeted at Honours students who have selected physical geography topics for their dissertation. It gives them the opportunity to deepen some of their geomorphological literature relevant to their chosen project. Students are expected to interpret landscapes, identify formative processes and events, examine environmental changes at different spatial and temporal scales, place their area of study into the geological, Quaternary, climatic and applied context in order to appreciate geomorphologic concepts such as systems approach, complexity, relationships, feedbacks, thresholds, equilibrium and cycles. EGS4038F/EGS5038F: CLIMATE CHANGE AND PREDICTABILITY First Semester; Course Convenor: Bruce Hewitson The course explores the theory of climate change, and then goes into the question of predictability, cross scale relationships and feedbacks in the climate system, the tools and techniques of prediction, and translation of predictions into the user community including impacts and vulnerability analyses and touching on the social dimension.
EGS4027F/EGS5027F: QUATERNARY ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE First Semester; Course Convenor: Mike Meadows The Quaternary represents the most recent geological period and includes the recent past during which human have become dominant environmental drivers. The aim of this course is to foster an understanding of how climate and other elements of the environment have changed and how evidence preserved in sediments enables us to reconstruct these changes with increasing degrees of precision. This aim is achieved by developing an understanding of past environmental changes, particularly those of the late Pleistocene, Holocene and Anthropocene, as exemplified by palaeoenvironmental and other forms of evidence. Attention is focused on the principal forms of palaeoenvironmental evidence that have been useful in southern Africa, in particular pollen analysis, and other proxies for environmental conditions but also includes evidence drawn from the recent past including remote sensing imagery. The major features of environmental change and its impact are illustrated with examples drawn mainly from southern Africa. The aim is amplified with reference to the contemporary environmental changes that characterise southern Africa, coupled with their ecological and biogeographical implications for the future. There is a focus on practical methods and skills and the course includes a field trip to the Wildneress Lakes and Knysna lagoon in mid-April. EGS 4011F/EGS5011F: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT First Semester; Course Convenor: Nicholas Simpson EGS 4011/5011 introduces students to recent developments in the theory and practice of Environmental Assessment and Management. It provides students with the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of environmental management, and exposure to tools and methods commonly used in the field including Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (E&SIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Management Systems and corporate sustainability reporting. The course critically evaluates the effectiveness of these tools, explores how they are applied in other African and international practice regimes, and then reflects on the merits of the 'One Environmental System' employed in South Africa for the governance of environmental harm and promotion of sustainable development. In addition, the course includes a number of sessions on key themes in the field focusing on the mining & energy sectors, E&SIA and ‘strong sustainability’, public participation (with a focus on affected communities), and emerging international best practices. EGS5031F: INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT First Semester; Course Convenor: Marieke Norton (Limited availability for non-ACDI MSc/MPhil's, at convenor's discretion) This course provides broad, integrated knowledge on key issues in climate change and sustainable development, making students conversant across the spectrum of climate change issues and history. Topics covered include: sustainable development; the climate system, anthropogenic forcing and climate system response; African climate variability and change; international climate change legal frameworks, negotiations, and politics; the economics of climate change and climate change financing; and the concept of climate compatible development. EGS5032F: ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION First Semester; Course Convenor: Debbie Sparks and Marieke Norton (Limited availability for non-ACDI MSc/MPhil's, at convenor's discretion) This course provides a depth coverage of (i) adaptation and (ii) mitigation from both a theoretical and practical/applied point of view. Adaptation and mitigation are the two key domains of academic and applied learning required for students to be qualified to undertake research and be employable in the climate change arena in the South African development country context. The issues are explored from a developing country, climate compatibility perspective.
EGS4041F/EGS5041F: MIGRATION AND TRANSNATIONALISM (APPROACHES AND ISSUES IN PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE) First semester; Course Convenor: Henrietta Nyamnjoh Mobilities/migration is not new, but has evolved to include transnationalism thus significantly changing the landscape of migration. The course is aimed at introducing students to mobilities/migration in urban geographies ‘new mobilities Paradigm’ and ‘mobility turn’. The course will introduce students to the multifaceted forms of mobility such as cultural, social and historical readings of bodily mobility as well as explore other dimensions that are informed by mobilities/migration and transnationalism such as consumption and identities. The aim of this course is to introduce students to both the theory and practice of mobilities/migration and transnationalism. Students will be expected to engage critically with current theories and debates and be able to situate these within an historical framework by engaging in earlier literatures as well. In addition to this, there will be a significant focus on practical methods and skills through designing and carrying out research project on migrant communities that speaks to any of the themes that have been studied. As such, students will be expected to interrogate historical and contemporary forms of mobilities/migration, what informs transnationalism, identify and pose relevant questions on migration trajectories. EGS4057F/EGS5057S URBAN POLITICAL ECOLOGY First Semester; Course Convenor: Suraya Scheba This course explores urbanisation dynamics with a particular interest in examining the role of political economic shifts, history, discourse, and new forms of techno-management in shaping the contemporary urban environment. It does this through drawing on urban political ecology as an interdisciplinary field of study, that provides insights into the power relations underlying unequal access to urban space, resources and infrastructure. Situated in this rapidly evolving field of Urban Studies, the course aims to open up conversations about the dynamics underlying unequal access to cities as well as the possibilities that could support more just and equitable cities. At the same time, it is recognised that urbanisation processes are distinct across space and time. For this reason, more recent developments within the field will be explored; concerned with understanding the grounded and variegated dynamics of urban processes, with a focus on ‘cities of the south’. Students will be expected to read set texts, both empirical and theoretical, in preparation for classes, which take the form of weekly, student-led seminars. Assessment will take the form of coursework (70% of final mark) comprising a reaction paper, seminar presentation and essay; along with a final exam (30% of final mark). DP requirements: at least 80% attendance and submission of all assignments. EGS4039F/EGS5039F: URBAN FOOD SECURITY First Semester; Course Convenor: Jane Battersby The course starts by locating the field of food security within it broad historical and developmental contexts. It them problematizes the notion of “food”, considering the various ways in which food and food security are understood with a focus on how these understandings have shaped food policy. It then focuses on the dominant current global and local food security agendas and concludes by focusing on the emerging urban food security agenda. Within the course we examine food as basic necessity, as political control, as a commodity, as nutrition, as a human right and as culture. EGS 5062F URBAN EVERYDAY (ACC) First semester; Course convenor: Sophie Oldfield In this course, students will explore literature and debates on the Urban Everyday that course introduces ‘the urban everyday’ as a perspective and entry into on city building (part 1) seminars are designed as safe spaces to experiment with debating literature and building our own techniques and confidence in critical reading, debating and writing skills. In part 2, forms of agency that locate citizens and ordinary city dwellers will be tracked as well as the state in space and time, in questions of subjectivity, belonging and identity that meet in varied ways rights, policy, state techniques and process driven and shaped by the city and state. Built around narratives of agency such as engaging and participating, resisting and protesting, as well as waiting
and the varied encounters with the city and state these practices shape. This mix will allow to engage with the forms of everyday urban agency and the practices, sites and modes of urbanisation produced through it. We will track the ways in which these ideas resonate in public and popular debates (in newspapers, blogs, film, novels and magazines etc.).
Through reading and research, students will explore ways in which this mix disrupts binaries of the formal and informal, the material and the socio-political, as well as the planned and the unplanned. In part 3, the course draws this work together to reflect on the productive tensions in and between structural forces (the state, capital and so on) with ordinary forms of agency (citizenship, collective movements, and ordinary acts of encroachment) and to think through the ways the everyday locates and disrupts theorising southern cities.
EGS 5063F URBAN THEORY (ACC) First semester; Course convenor: Edgar Pieterse The course starts with the contention that urban theory is in crisis because it is not able to account for the diversity and innate complexity of diverse urban worlds, especially as manifest in the global South. The empirical basis of this contention is briefly explored before students are engaged to learn the craft of theoretical analysis and construction. This craft involves learning how to differentiate between: ontology, epistemology, social theory, endogenous theory, framing theory and the mediation of time and space. Key urban theory works from the traditional canon and the Southern counterpoint will be explored to equip students to read and produce “theory maps.” By the end of the module, students will be able to locate contemporary urban theory debates in a geo-historical context. EGS4024S/EGS5030S: CLIMATE MODELLING Second Semester; Course Convenors: Babatunde Abiodun (EGS), Bill Gutowski (Iowa State University) An introduction into the development and application of climate models for exploring climate dynamics, forecasting, and climate change. The course explores the inner working of climate models, the use in operational seasonal forecasting in Africa (with hands on work with the current forecasts), and actual running model experiments. Students are expected to have done EGS3012S or its equivalent. EGS5024S: MANAGING COMPLEX HUMAN-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS Second Semester; Course Convenor: Merle Sowman Increasingly scholars have recognised that many of our environmental problems are complex systems problems that require an understanding of natural, socio-economic and governance systems as well as the interactions that occur between them. Furthermore, research suggests that conventional approaches to managing environmental problems are not moving us in sustainable directions and hence the call for innovative and alternative approaches to managing these complex systems. EGS 5024 introduces graduate students to important theoretical, methodological and ethical foundations of environmental and coastal management. The module introduces systems thinking and complexity theory and explores tools and governance frameworks for managing complex human-ecological systems. These concepts and theoretical ideas are then applied to cases in the coastal and small-scale fisheries arena. EGS4056S/EGS5056S: IMAGINING SOUTHERN CITIES Second Semester; Course Convenor: Shari Daya & Rike Sitas The global South is urbanising at roughly twice the rate of the global North, yet dominant narratives of 'the city' continue to privilege London, Los Angeles and Paris over Lagos, Johannesburg and Mumbai. This course explores how cities of the global South are generating new bodies of theory, new forms of social life, and new imaginaries. It does this through novels, films and other textual and visual representations of everyday urbanism, drawing on contemporary theory from the global South to help make sense of these discourses. Situated in the rapidly evolving field of Urban Studies, the course aims to open up conversations across disciplines about the cities we are in and the cities we desire. Students will be expected to read set texts, both fictional and theoretical, and watch set films, in preparation for classes will which take the form of weekly, student-led seminars.
Assessment will comprise coursework (50% of final mark) including a creatively presented review and two essays, along with a final exam (50% of final mark). DP requirements: at least 80% attendance and submission of all assignments. EGS4033S/EGS5033S: SPACE AND POLITICS Second semester; Course Convenor: Anna Selmeczi This course starts from the assumption that our spatial environment has a fundamental impact on how one experiences and practices membership in local and global communities. Drawing on the characteristically spatial connotation of ‘the public’, in the first part of the course we are reading key texts in political theory and political geography so as to ground our understanding of the ways political life takes place. The second and larger part then engages with particular modes of challenging the spatial-political limits that cities in South Africa and around the globe set to sharing spaces of common life, including our shared natural environment. Central questions guiding our inquiry are: Who gets to be part of the cityscape and who is relegated into zones of invisibility? Whose life is nurtured through infrastructural networks and who has to struggle with inhuman living conditions? How do effects of environmental damage relate to other forms of exclusion and marginalization? And how are these dynamics challenged, rejected and transformed by popular mobilization and more subtle practices of resistance? EGS4044S/EGS5044S: URBAN ECOLOGY Second Semester; Course Convenor: Pippin Anderson The aim of this course is to introduce students to both the theory and practice of urban ecology (the interactions between living things and their surroundings in the urban). Students will be expected To engage critically with current theories and debates as presented in the urban ecology literature. In addition to this, there will be a significant focus on practical methods and skills. Students will be expected to interrogate the urban landscape, identify and pose relevant ecological questions and design and implement appropriate methods to answer these ecological questions. Broad theoretical areas to be engaged in, all the context of the city, include: landscape ecology, biodiversity, policy, conservation, alien invasion, restoration, ecosystem services, and social ecology. There are no formal prerequisites, but some understanding of general ecological principles will be helpful. EGS4041S/EGS5041S: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE BIO-ECONOMY (APPROACHES AND ISSUES IN PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE) Course convenor: A/Prof Rachel Wynberg Second semester course The past few decades have witnessed a surge of interest in the use of biodiversity, biological products, and biological processes in the mainstream economy, on a scale unprecedented in history, linking markets in virtually every corner of the globe. Located at the interface of leading genetic and information technologies, and the juncture of a wide range of developing social, political and ethical concerns, the so-called bio-economy has changed fundamentally the way in which biodiversity is used and commercialised.
Although often touted as a panacea for energy crises, livelihoods and environmental remediation, the environmental and social dimensions of the bio-economy raise critical questions. Who stands to benefit from the exploitation of indigenous resources? How should traditional knowledge holders be compensated for use of their knowledge? Are biotech products such as genetically modified crops part of the solution or the problem? Where do small-scale farmers and agroecology fit into the picture? Does Monsanto really control the world’s seed and chemical supplies? And what happens when biodiversity becomes increasingly “virtual” through genetic sequencing and digitisation? This course introduces graduate students to some of the conceptual underpinnings of the topic, providing an overview of the theme, issue-specific lectures, and case study material, mostly drawn from southern Africa.
APG5089S ARTS OF SPACE (ACC) Second semester; Course convenor: António Tomás This course examines the urban from the standpoint of social theory. The course will pay careful attention to genealogies of knowledge, and ways to trace theoretical associations. It therefore engages with how given problematics have been formulated for the first time, and how they still shape debates in contemporary urban studies. Some of the problematics this course will then address are: affect, methodology and the housing question. Firstly, in terms of affect, this course tackle the question of the “uncanny”, theorized by Sigmund Freud, in 1919. The “uncanny”, implicitly or explicitly, is at the heart of the proliferation of bodies of literatures that have taken seriously the distinction between the pre-modern and the modern. These notions are not only fundamental to understand the emergence of social sciences, such as Anthropology, but they have also played a central role in planning, particularly in the planning of colonial spaces. Ultimately, the question boils down to the ways in which affect, such as abjection and fear, has shaped the urban. Secondly, methodology is taken as a thread through which reading materials cohere. The reading of these materials will provide an opportunity less to engage with the empirical materials the authors discuss, and more to examine the processes of their making. In other words, the point here is to read texts in such a way that the context in which they have been produced become apparent. Of importance in this regard is an engagement with the ethical and political position of the text producers. Thirdly, this course will engage with the housing question. However, more than trying to make explicit processes of house production, this course will examine the question of the relationship between the house and the city. Fundamental here is to understand, in relation to the city, how dichotomies such as interior and exterior, public and private, have been theorized. MODULES ON OFFER OUTSIDE THE EGS DEPARTMENT Students may sign up for an elective outside the EGS Department to meet their specific research interests. Below is a list of options. Other possibilities beyond those listed here exist, many of which may have specific entrance requirements. You are welcome to do your own research on available courses and to discuss these options with Pippin (Masters students) and Zarina (Honours students). Remember, to sign up for a course you need the agreement of the course convenor, as well as Pippin or Gina. ECO4052S: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS Second Semester; Course Convenor: Tony Leiman This course will expose students to a variety of real world problems like control of pollution, management of mines, forests and fisheries, funding biodiversity and putting the environment into project and policy decision-making. The emphasis is on practical application of economic tools. The course will consist of a mixture of lectures, readings, seminars and practical/problem solving sessions. There will be group projects for 3-4 people which will be very practically based, but should be written as a short paper, with a basic literature review that draws on the topics covered in the class. Places are limited and subject to a discussion with the course convener. HST4016F: AFRICAN ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY First Semester; Course Convenor: Lance van Sittert Africa within international disciplines of environmental history. Review of a series of linked themes covering the period from pre-colonial to contemporary African history. Themes covered include environmental and pre-colonial state formation, the colonial environmental impact, hunting, conservation, the colonial history of environmental science, colonialism and environmental catastrophism, development and environment and history in environmental impact assessment.
PBL5045S: ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FOR NON-LAWYERS Second Semester; Course Convenor: Professor Alexander (Sandy) Paterson The inclusion of an environmental right in South Africa's Constitution has led to the emergence of many environmental laws and court decisions in the past 20 years. These developments are of key relevance to those working in the environmental sector including developers, consultants, biologists, zoologists, planners, sociologists and anthropologists. This course provides students undertaking postgraduate studies relevant to the environment with an insight into relevant principles of international and domestic environmental law. Key content covered in the course includes: an introduction to basic legal principles and resources; constitutional aspects (environmental rights, access to information, administrative justice and access to courts); framework environmental laws; land-use planning laws (planning law, environmental impact assessment and protected areas); natural resource laws (biodiversity, water and marine living resources); and pollution laws (fresh water, land and air pollution). SAN4000F: ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH METHODS AND METHODOLOGY First Semester; Course Convenor: Helen MacDonald Theory and practice in ethnographic research methods, including participant observation, interviewing skills and visual anthropological thought, particularly as it pertains to processes of social-cultural change, including development, transformation and conflict. Contextual qualitative data collection methods and analysis. Research proposal writing skills; preparing a proposal and research design. SAN5024S: TRADITION, SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT Second Semester; Course Convenor: Leslie Green Traditional ecological knowledge is increasingly recognised as essential to the success of conservation and development work, and the data-gathering skills of scientists are increasingly called upon by rural and indigenous groups seeking to demarcate and plan sustainable use of their lands. The dialogue across knowledge bases is, however, often fraught. Focussing on knowledge about the environment, this course offers the opportunity to explore the anthropology of knowledge. Topics include the anthropology of science; anthropological approaches to the study of the environment; methodologies to facilitate data-gathering about knowledge; working with cosmologies, and the challenge of epistemological diversity. Other options exist in Botany, Zoology and Oceanography, which are not listed as separate entities, and would need to be discussed with the respective convenors. Similarly options exist in Engineering and the Built Environment, and in this instance we would need to look closely at the credit load in each instance as many of these are short courses and would need to be doubled up.
GETTING CONNECTED
STUDENT CARDS Tel: 021 650 3030 / 3996 / 4357 After registering, you will be able to get your student ID card, allowing you access to all UCT facilities. These cards are issued by Access Control Services, Room 1.10.1, Basement, Robert Leslie Social Science Building, Upper Campus. This ID card gives you access to the EGS department after hours, as well as access to the Libraries and various Computer Labs. This card can also be loaded with credit at the Document Centre (next to the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library), which is necessary in order to use the photocopiers and printers around campus and in the EGS department. Your student ID card should also be carried around at all times for security reasons. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (ICTS) Tel: 021 650 4500 Email: [email protected] UCT places a high priority on the application of technology in learning and is committed to providing key technical services to students. After registering at UCT you will receive a username and password which will allow you to access these technical services on the UCT network. To set up your laptop so you can access the UCT network, you can go to the ICTS Helpdesk (via the door at the back of the Computer Science Building, opposite the Food Court), to have your laptop registered and receive an IP address. The staff will then explain how to access the network. Alternatively, you can set it up yourself through www.icts.uct.ac.za (under Networking - Wireless). This website also has lots of information on all aspects of computer use and IT support at UCT, under the ‘Student Computing’ dropdown menu. VULA The name Vula, which means ‘open’ in several South African languages, is an innovative open-source learning, collaboration, and research content management system at UCT, built on technology developed by a consortium of universities. As soon as you are registered as a student and receive a password for ICTS, Vula will log you immediately. Some courses you register for will automatically show up as a tab on your Vula account. This is a great forum for lecturers to share course materials, readings, and notifications with students. Some courses also use Vula as an assignment dropbox, so make sure you check with each course convenor. To access Vula, go to: www.vula.uct.ac.za and if you have any queries or need help, email [email protected] EMAIL ACCOUNT Honours students make use of the myUCT email service. Your email address is [email protected]. Go to www.myUCT.ac.za to access your account and read more about this service. You are given 10GB mailbox space, and a 7GB password protected online storage using SkyDrive. Masters and PhD students receive a 50MB mailbox and a UCT email address, e.g. [email protected]. You also receive 250MB on the F:drive. Masters and PhD students are not subject to an internet quota, but do remember that you internet usage is monitored and reported on. To access the myUCT email service, go to www.myuct.ac.za. Your UCT email account is the official means of communication from the university to students. Please delete old mail so that your mailbox does not become full, or you will not be able to receive new mail. You can easily set up an auto-forward from your UCT email account to your preferred emailing account, so remember to do that if you think that you will forget to check both accounts! EDUROAM UCT subscribes to eduroam, an international roaming service that allows staff and students from one institution to log on to the Internet from any other institution. All you need to do is ensure that your
laptop or notebooks has been set up to use wireless networking, and you can log in using your university username and password. See the ICTS website for more information. INTERNET LOG-IN When trying to use the Internet, if the “authentication required” pop-up box appears, log in as follows:
• Username: student number (or preferredname.surname) • Password: your UCT network password • Domain: wf.uct.ac.za
If you are only asked for a Username and Password, then log in as follows: • Username: [email protected] or [email protected] • Password: your UCT network password
STUDENT LAB FACILITIES Registered students are automatically assigned to their relevant Student Computing Lab(s). Some labs provide binding, laminating, scanning and backup services (self-service) and also sell storage media (CDs, DVDs, USB sticks, etc.). In the EGS department, you will have access to the Geospatial Lab. If for some reason you do not have access, see Sayed Hess and he will make sure you have appropriate access to labs in the department. POLICIES AND RULES You are required to use computing and information resources responsibly and to guard against abuses. Please read the UCT policies at http://www.uct.ac.za/main/about/policies (see ‘Appropriate use of computer facilities’ and ‘UCT Policy and Rules on Internet and Email Usage’). In accordance with UCT policy and rules on Internet and email usage, software piracy or other infringements of intellectual property rights in respect of digital content is prohibited.
UCT LIBRARIES AND RESEARCH TOOLS
UCT Libraries boast state-of-the-art technology, endless reading and research material, and friendly, efficient and helpful staff. Housed in a number of locations convenient to the faculties, UCT Libraries cater to researchers’ needs through a vast array of electronic and print materials, and a number of specialised services. In keeping with its central role in the academic life of the University, the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library (main library on Upper Campus) offers spacious reading areas, numerous computer workstations, AV viewing areas, wireless internet access, study carrels, group project rooms and ample photocopying, printing and scanning facilities. In addition to the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, which houses several subject areas and departments, there are nine branch libraries (including the EGS department’s J.W. Talbot Library and the Built Environment Library in the Centlivres Architecture and Planning Building). Complete info about the libraries may be found on their website (www.lib.uct.ac.za). In addition to basic info about locations, opening hours and contact details, the website provides immediate online access to their catalogue of books and journals, and to their rich electronic resources. Also be sure to explore the website of the particular UCT library in your subject area – you will find handpicked links, and guides that will give you expert help on how to tackle research in your library (click on Subject Librarians on the Library website).
ACCESS AND MEMBERSHIP Once registered at UCT, you are automatically registered as a member of the libraries. Your student card is a multipurpose card, which you can use to access the libraries, take out books and journals, and make photocopies or computer printouts. OFF-CAMPUS ACCESS UCT Libraries also provide off-campus access to electronic resources (databases, e-journals, RefWorks) through their EZProxy link on the Libraries’ home page. Simply log in using your UCT username and network password. THE UCT LIBRARIES’ RESEARCH PORTAL The libraries’ new research portal is a search and discovery tool that enables you to explore the libraries’ resources and find print or electronic books and journals, theses, reports, audio-visual materials, and more. In addition, many of the libraries’ full-text databases are searchable simultaneously via the portal’s ‘Articles’ tab. Designed to support the research process, the portal provides many helpful and exciting features, including simple Google-style searching, filters for refining search results, relevance ranking and personalisation features. Access the research portal via the libraries’ website. REFWORKS UCT libraries provide access to RefWorks, an online research management and writing tool designed to help researchers gather, store and share references easily, as well as to generate citations and bibliographies. A RefWorks utility called Write-N-Cite lets you automatically insert citations into documents and create bibliographies in the citation style of your choice. In RefWorks, you can organise your references into folders, back them up on your computer, add your own notes, and view references in the referencing style of your choice. You can access RefWorks on the UCT Libraries’ website, under Electronic Resources. RESEARCH COMMONS The Research Commons is a well-appointed facility specifically designed to cater for the information and workspace needs of senior postgraduates, postdoctoral research fellows, and academic staff. Accessed via the Humanities section of the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, the Research Commons offers spacious workstations with high-end PCs and an excellent selection of software applications; laptops for use within the Commons; high-speed internet connections; printing, scanning and copying facilities; a seminar room for collaborative work; and a comfortable lounge where users can relax with a cup of tea or coffee. REFERENCING AND PLAGIARISM Forms of referencing must be standard for the discipline and must adhere to a recognised international convention. The EGS department, for example, generally adhere to the author-date referencing style (Harvard Style). Plagiarism (passing off someone else’s work as your own) is also a very serious offence at UCT, and it is important that you are familiar with what plagiarism is, and how to cite properly to avoid plagiarism. For more information on citing and plagiarism (as well as some very informative documents), visit: http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/lib/referencing-help
RESEARCH TOOLS AND EVENTS IN THE EGS DEPARTMENT DAVIES READING ROOM (EGS DEPARTMENT) This library, located in the EGS department, is accessible to you, with your student card, 24 hours a day. There is an excellent, yet under-utilised workspace, as well as computing facilities for your use. The department’s scanner is also located in the library. There are photocopiers located on Level 2 of the EGS department, opposite Room 2.2.7. This room is accessible with your student card and the photocopier runs on the pre-paid credit system as all other copiers and printers on campus. Credit can be purchased from the Document Centre next to the library. SEMINARS Within the department there is an organised academic seminar series. There are also plenty of relevant seminars convened by the research units in our building, as well as outside the department. These are advertised on the mailing list. Please check your UCT email address; otherwise we cannot communicate with you. If you prefer to use another account, please make sure you auto-forward UCT mail to that address. Keep an eye on the notice board on the staff portal of the UCT website, on posters around campus, and check with particular departments (or research units) of interest to stay informed. There are three great universities in Cape Town and it is worth also looking to see what is on offer at UWC and Stellenbosch. POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM In October, the EGS department runs its annual postgraduate research day. All our postgraduate students are expected to present their research work at least once during the course of their degree. Those not in a position to present are still expected to participate by attending. This is a fun day set aside to celebrate postgraduate research, and get a sense of what exciting work is done by others in the EGS department.
SUPERVISION FINDING A SUPERVISOR It is important, once you have decided on the research area in which you wish to work, to find a supervisor. Your supervisor must be approved by the head of the academic department, and certain conditions and rules apply to such an appointment. There is no set way to finding a supervisor. You could make personal contact with someone under whom you would like to do your research. We suggest that you look at the research profiles of the various staff in the EGS department. These profiles outline the research interests of potential supervisors, as well as give you an indication of what type of research project you could do under a particular supervisor. Think about what your interests might be, how these could align with particular staff interests, and then go and chat with the staff concerned to see what their thoughts are. The approved supervisor is responsible for providing the necessary guidance needed for you to conduct and complete your research successfully. As such, the supervisor is required to have the necessary expertise, knowledge and skills to supervise the proposed research. As the student being supervised, it is important that you avail yourself of the agreed-upon supervision. You might feel like hiding from your supervisor at some point, but remember that they are there to also help you and make sure that you have the right tools to carry out your research. SELECTING A TOPIC FOR YOUR RESEARCH You and your supervisor must agree on a research topic. Remember that your research depends not only on its academic merit, but also on your passion for the topic, available resources, time, and funding. It is important to ensure that these are in place before commencement.
COMPLETING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is an important undertaking between supervisor and student. It ensures that expectations and commitments on both sides are clear and that the study to be undertaken has a clear work-plan and timeframe for completion. When considering the timeframe for completion, you must bear in mind that the prescribed minimum and maximum periods of registration will impact on the scope of your research. The MoU also tracks progress and documents problems encountered along the way. Course work master students must also complete this MOU in their first year as they have to produce their research proposal. SUBMISSION OF THESES Format, length, and standard title pages are specific to each faculty and you should seek advice from your supervisor as to what is required. For Masters and PhD students, once you have concluded your research and written up your findings, you are required to inform the Faculty administration of your intention to submit. Your supervisor and head of department will then nominate suitable examiners for approval by the dean. Submission dates are the third week in August (for a December graduation), or the third week in February (for a June graduation). These dates do shift with any shifts in the academic calendar. It is up to the students to ensure they know the correct deadlines. These should all be discussed with your supervisor, when planning your project and the scope of your research. TROUBLESHOOTING SUPERVISION OR ACADEMIC PROBLEMS If you experience any problem or concern that hampers your academic progress, you should speak with your supervisor, head of department, programme coordinator, or director of graduate studies. If you experience problems because of personal issues, you can approach your supervisor for advice on how to manage your workload under these circumstances. You can also go to the Student Wellness Service and see a qualified counsellor. The Student Wellness Centre is located on Rhodes Avenue, (near Forest Hill residence), or on Upper Campus, at the top of the Steve Biko building.
WRITING ASSISTANCE AT UCT EGS WRITING INITIATIVE The EGS writing initiative is composed of a few postgraduate students in the EGS department. These students will assist you where you have writing difficulties in any of the EGS courses. Please email your concern to [email protected] where you can make an appointment to meet with one of the postgraduate students. Assistance will only be given to you verbally (i.e. we will not edit your essay/assignment for you) in a 15- 20 minute consultation. These students will be able to assist you with structure, grammar, writing style and in some cases maybe content. If you would like to join the group of postgraduate students that are part of the EGS writing initiative, please contact Khadra Ghedi Alasow at [email protected]. This is a great opportunity to get involved and help students with a difficulty that you may have experienced when you were an undergraduate student. UCT WRITING CENTRE - THE POSTGRADUATE WRITING PROJECT The UCT Postgraduate Writing Project (PGWP) was initiated in 2004 and supports postgraduate students from all faculties of the university in writing up their research. Located in the UCT Writing Centre, the PGWP focuses primarily on the structures and processes of academic writing. Its four strategic interventions include: One-On-One Consultations: A walk-in, one-on-one consultancy service for honours, Masters and Doctoral students from all faculties to discuss their academic writing. The consultations are designed to be learning experiences, not an editing service. In these consultations, the aim is to:
- Enable a ‘thinking-through-writing’ approach; - Alert students to academic writing conventions, including referencing; - Improve students’ sense of coherence, cohesion, voice, and logical structure in writing; and - Equip students to self-edit their work.
The Writing Centre has a developmental focus in that it keeps track of student writing from one consultation session to the next. Postgraduate students are encouraged to set up a structured relationship with the Writing Centre with specific time-frames, preferably from the beginning of their research process. It is also useful to establish a triangular relationship between the student, the Writing Centre consultant, and your supervisor. Writer’s Circle: This is an exciting part of the project, in which postgraduate students come together to share ideas, writing problems, receive peer review, and develop self-confidence in presenting their work and voicing their views before taking their issues into more challenging environments. These voluntary, informal gatherings, during which participants also engage with academic writing structures and conventions, are facilitated by Writing Centre consultants. The nature of the meetings and the choice of topics to be covered are negotiated with the circle members. Seminars and Workshops: In conjunction with faculty-based structures of the Postgraduate Student Association (PGSA), the project also runs seminars and workshops targeted at postgraduate students within the various faculties of the University. These workshops explore various issues and challenges related to postgraduate writing processes, as well as offer practical training in academic writing. Finally, the UCT Writing Centre runs a series of grammar workshops for those students who would like to participate. The Writing Centre is located in the Hlanganani Building (Level 6), Upper Campus. Visit http://www.writingcentre.uct.ac.za/ for more information.
FEES, FUNDING AND FINANCES Let’s face it; while you are a student you are not going to be rich. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer (too much). Your supervisor can sometimes also assist you in applying for bursaries and may be able to offer information on where to find research funding, particularly if you wish to apply for further study after Masters. UCT has many awards, but you do need to make sure you apply at the right time to stand a chance of seeing the money. It is best to have a look at the postgrad funding office website to see what is there and if you qualify. THE POSTGRADUATE CENTRE AND FUNDING OFFICE Upper Level, Otto Beit Building, University Avenue North, Upper Campus. Tel: 021 650 3622; Email: [email protected] The Postgraduate Centre was established to provide Masters and PhD students and Postdoctoral Research Fellows with a dedicated space where they can work, relax, read, and conduct research. It is situated adjacent to, and is managed by, the Postgraduate Funding Office. The Centre’s Facilities include computers, abundant reading material and the provision of space and equipment for seminars, conferences, and meetings. There are 12 computers to assist students with their work and research, as well as two dedicated computers and scanners for NRF online applications. The Postgraduate Funding Office administers bursaries and is the place to go to find out about funding opportunities. You can contact them with any queries regarding:
- Funding your postgraduate studies; - Applying for conference and overseas travel grants; - Information on the NRF and the NRF online application process; - Delays in payment of your funding; - Information on the Postgraduate Centre and Seminar Room bookings, and for general help
and information.
For information on what funding is available to you and if you are still in time to apply (note that all categories of funding have deadlines for submission of applications), visit their website to check deadlines and application criteria: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/funding/postgraduate/applications/ EMPLOYMENT There are times when bursary money doesn’t quite cover the bills. There are plenty of ways to earn cash in Cape Town. The first place to look for work is within the EGS department. The rates of pay are pretty good and this work is the least likely to seriously disrupt your research. If you are interested in demonstrating, contact Vathiswa for a hard copy of the form. The Deadline for the first semester is mid-February. Selection is based on: good academic results, applicants who have already done the course, and those who are already experienced in the field of the course. If you are in the right place at the right time you may be able to get some consultancy work. This pays well and is great for career development, but is more generally open to Masters and PhD candidates. Finally, there are usually part time jobs available in the service sector. The pay is bad, the conditions are no better, but at least you get money and get to engage with people who are not necessarily in academia. A warning: From prior experience we know that even if you are working while you are studying it is possible to commit too much time to earning money. You are here to get the academic work done, don’t get trapped into side-lining your number one priority. In the UK students may not be employed for more than 10 hours per week, it is worthwhile using this as a guideline.
TRANSFORMATION AT THE EGS DEPARTMENT
The EGS Department established a Transformation Committee in 2015, initially tasked with addressing transformation in EGS related to:
• Engaging with undergraduate and postgraduate students to understand their satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the EGS climate in terms of the curriculum, classroom and EGS space
• Engaging with staff to understand their satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the EGS climate • Identify opportunities to improve the EGS climate to be more inclusive and cognizant of
issues of difference.
This Committee has since evolved into the Transformation Working Group (TWG), open to staff and students. Over the course of 2017 this group of staff and students, chaired by Suraya Scheba, have been working together to create a combination of dialogue and action within the Department.
In late 2017 the group saw it as essential to surface more nuanced perspectives during times of conflict between the University and student activists. This involved the sharing of communication that recognised that the dominant narrative surrounding the student protests had been the focus on disruption, through which the nuances of student experiences and struggles were lost. That is for those (Black) students in our University who are struggling in the institution, the issues include:
• Fees – including the challenge of the missing middle which comes with the threat of financial exclusion on an annual basis;
• Social Factors, which means that students are faced with family pressure, black tax, stress regarding fee and accommodation payments;
• This situation also prevents many from furthering their studies and choosing to pursue postgraduate studies;
• These challenges also impact on mental health – students are dealing with anxiety.
These are issues that we would like to engage more directly in 2018, having already undertaken a number of tangible actions within the Department in 2017. These include the following initiatives, processes and events:
World Cafés: A space for staff and students to discuss issues of transformation & decolonisation The first World Café, led and facilitated by students, was held in October Power & Conflicts Workshop for staff External facilitators led a workshop with staff members, focused on discussing power dynamics and conflict in a classroom. Facilitated space between staff and students to discuss decolonisation of curriculum This is an ongoing process, overlapping with the TWG, but also independently led by Assoc. Prof. Sowman to explore questions of curriculum review and transformation. Conversation Box A Conversation box has been placed in the entrance lobby of the Department (red mailbox, straight ahead slightly to the right as you enter the building through the main entrance). The box is intended to provide a channel for communication, one where staff and students don’t have to speak up in a group and where we can be anonymous if we choose to. The EGS Writing Initiative The idea behind the EGS Writing Initiative emerged in the TWG discussions at the beginning of 2017, where it was agreed that the department should explore the development of a structure that can provide student writing support. This lead to the development of a EGS Writing Initiative proposal, which was then piloted on a small-scale in the last semester of 2017. The pilot included reaching out to undegraduate students in lectures and through demonstrators, inviting them to make contact with the writing initiative if they felt the need for essay and exam preparation. Further roll-out and expansion of the Writing Initiative is taking place in 2018. For further details contact: [email protected] Artwork A survey of the artwork was completed in 2017, surfacing the different perspectives on the current art work. The process of removing and contextualizing current pieces, and adding new ones will proceed in 2018. The TWG will continue to drive the above initiatives and processes in 2018, and further hopes to see the emergence of new initiatives and processes as transformation and decolonisation becomes an integral part of EGS thinking and culture. The group will this year be chaired by Philile Mbatha, and students and staff alike are welcome to join the group. Please contact us for further information: [email protected]
GREEN CAMPUS INITIATIVE The Green Campus Initiative (GCI) was started in 2007 by a handful of students and staff to address issues of sustainability at UCT. Since then the membership has swelled and this volunteer organization has established itself as a force to be reckoned with on campus. The GCI is fresh, dynamic and action-based. We aim to bring about lasting change and to make UCT a more
environmentally-friendly institution. In recognition of the great work it does, the GCI was awarded Team of the Year at the 2009 UCT Student Leadership Awards. Joining the GCI could mean a number of things, from simply being a member of our mailing list to spearheading a brand-new project. It really depends on how involved you want to be! The GCI is a volunteer-based organization and welcomes members from every sphere of the UCT community. If you are a UCT student or staff member and would like to join our Vula site, please click here. We welcome questions, comments and contributions from the public too. Please send these to us at [email protected]. You can also find us on our social media platforms. The EGS department would encourage its students to get involved in this great initiative both on campus and in-house in the department.
TRANSPORT AND PARKING JAMMIE SHUTTLE (TRANSPORT) Tel: 021 685 7135 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/services/transport-parking/jammie-shuttle The Jammie Shuttle is a private, scheduled bus service available seven days a week, including the late night service. It operates between all UCT residences (main terminus at Leo Marquard Hall on Lower campus, off Main Rd, in Rosebank), campuses and local public transport terminals. The service is free to all UCT students and staff. Timetables are available from the Traffic Office or on the UCT website. PARKING ON CAMPUS Tel: 021 650 3312/3 Website: http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/services/transport-parking/parking A parking disc is required if you plan to drive and park your car on campus. It is your responsibility to contact the UCT Traffic Office, located below the Geological Sciences Extension Building, on Ring Road South, to secure a parking disc and avoid parking fines. Discs are usually sold from November and are valid for one year. A limited number of yellow parking discs are sold, issued on a ‘first come first served’ basis, for an extremely limited number of parking bays. Parking can be a nightmare, so be warned! For more information on the disc you’re eligible for, visit their website. RIDELINK AND JAMMIEBIKE UCT traffic and the Green Campus Initiative, in an attempt to decrease single-person car usage at UCT, created the Ridelink Carpooling System. Run through Vula, the system is designed to make it easier for students to find lifts with people travelling in at similar times/areas to them. Students and staff can enter their details and search the database to find people with matching schedules at the click of a button. There is a parking lot on campus reserved exclusively for vehicles with 2 or more passengers. UCT Properties and Services department are also working towards making UCT more cycle-friendly. The Jammie Bike link: http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/services/transport-parking/jammie-bike contains all the information needed by anyone who wants to cycle to campus. This includes routes to take, what to wear and where to lock up a bicycle. PUBLIC TRANSPORT Cape Town’s public transport system has received a lot of bad press, but it is generally safe and efficient. Taxis can be caught from anywhere on Main Road and are the easiest way to get around. Buses run similar routes to the taxis, but not as frequently. The nearest train station is Rosebank, just below Main Road. The rail network has sometimes experienced problems with safety on trains, so travel safely. If you are travelling at night, I personally would recommend taking a metered taxi cab, or getting a sober friend to give you a lift.
WALKING Walking to campus has become a safer option since the introduction of the two ‘Blue Safe Routes’. These well-lit routes have SOS beacons with emergency call buttons and intercoms. The first safe walk route follows a course that starts at the rugby fields subway and proceeds across lawns on middle campus, continues along the footbridge across Woolsack Drive, through the Kopano car park past the Baxter residence and ends at Tugwell. The second safe walk route starts at the Sports Centre, follows the Rhodes Drive path as it cuts under Rhodes Drive and joins up with the other safe walk route along the footbridge across Woolsack Drive. It’s a shame that we need such things as ‘safe routes’, but they are necessary and should be used if possible.
SAFETY Safety at UCT is not something to be paranoid about, but at the same time we can’t afford to be complacent. The University has a good Campus Security System that operates 24 hours day, 7 days a week. On Upper Campus they are located in the basement of the Leslie Social Sciences Building and can be reached by phone on 021 650 2222/3 (24 hours a day). We hope that you don’t experience crime while you are here and we have been assured that crime rates on campus are decreasing. So, here are a few suggestions to stop you becoming a statistic. WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT We have occasional opportunistic thefts. Don’t leave valuables unattended. Don’t leave your door unlocked when no one is in the room. Close windows when you leave. Make sure the out-of-hours door is always properly closed. AROUND CAMPUS Campus Security makes the following suggestions: “The best way to prevent crime is to be aware of your surroundings and particularly the people in your environment - criminals rely on the community being indifferent and “minding their own business”. Be alert for suspicious persons in and around campus buildings and in parking areas. Ask yourself: Are they hanging around for no apparent reason? Are they looking into cars as they walk through the parking areas? Are they going from room to room trying doorknobs? Are they carrying valuable property from buildings after normal working hours? If you think they may be up to no good, don't pursue them – CALL the Campus Security hotline at 021 650 2222/3.” Remember you are safer when walking in a group, especially at night. Get into the habit of being escorted by a Security Official when walking late at night within UCT premises. Practise using the “Blue Safe Walk” when walking in University property – you have the advantage of being close to the emergency phones and the area is monitored by surveillance cameras. Avoid walking in dark and deserted areas and stay away from “short cuts”. If you do experience crime of any sort, please report it. If it isn’t reported it won’t be prevented from happening again. Don’t be paranoid, but be smart.
SOCIAL LIFE IN THE EGS DEPARTMENT There are plenty of opportunities to have a great social life on campus. A great place to start is in the department. We are attempting to integrate Honours and Taught Masters students, which means that there should be enough interesting people around for you to develop a busy social life. The tea room is open 24 hours a day. This is a great socialising space and most days you will find people using the room for lunch. Developing a postgraduate community is largely up to you. In previous years we’ve had sundowners, walks, Friday afternoons at the UCT club, a quiz night etc. If you want to arrange anything, you’re more than welcome to advertise. If you want be involved socially make sure that people know who you are. CLUBS AND SOCIETIES There are over 80 active clubs and societies on campus, catering for religious, political and cultural groups as well as diverse special interests, from ballroom dancing, investing and whisky appreciation, to the UCT choir and SHAWCO. You are sure to find something to interest you and this is a great way to meet people. You can sign up on Level 3 of the Student Development and Services in the Steve Biko Building at any stage during the year. During O-Week, all the societies have a stall on Jammie Plaza; be sure to wonder around there and see what takes your fancy. Remember that most of the clubs charge a membership fee, so make sure you don’t overindulge. More information can be found on their website: http://www.uct.ac.za/students/recreation/societies/ SPORTS UCT provides unique opportunities to participate in around 50 different sports on a competitive or recreational level. More traditional sports are all well catered for, but you also have the options of trying something slightly different, such as climbing, paragliding, skydiving, scuba diving, or ultimate frisbee! Visit http://www.dsa.uct.ac.za/student-development/sport-clubs/overview for more info on what’s available. You can investigate the options during Oweek, or sign up at the Sports’ Centre on Upper Campus, during the year. UCT GYM AND SWIMMING POOL UCT students may also make use of UCT’s state-of-the-art gym and swimming pool situated between Graça Machel and Kopano Residences on the Middle Campus. To join the gym is R650 per year, with off-peak membership at R300 per year but all you need to access the swimming pool is your student card. Find out more at http://www.dsa.uct.ac.za/student-development/fitness-centres/uct-gym IN AND AROUND CAPE TOWN Obviously there’s a lot more to Cape Town than UCT, although sometimes your supervisor may not like you to think so. The city has some of the finest locations for outdoor activities. It also has more bars, restaurants, coffee shops, clubs, museums, music venues, and theatre venues than you could possibly imagine. Many of the attractions are not priced for the student wallet, but watching sunset on Camps Bay beach, climbing the mountain and wandering around town are all free and fantastic. There are also always cheap ways of doing things; ask some of your Capetonian colleagues for tips and ideas! It is perfectly possible to spend all your time here working, but quite frankly, why would you want to? If there aren’t enough social events happening in the department, arrange something and then invite us.
SUPPORT STRUCTURES, SERVICES AND FACILITIES AT UCT
CAMPUS PROTECTION SERVICES (CPS) Campus Protection Service 24-hour hotline: 021 650 2222/3 (use only the last four digits if calling from a UCT extension)
CPS operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are committed to protecting the safety of the University community and its property, as well as maintaining order in accordance with University policy. They are here to help you at all times. UCT BOOKSHOP Level , Steve Biko Students Union, Tel: 021 650 286/7 This bookshop stocks academic books for all faculties, including second hand books. It also sells a range of stationery, cards, posters, newspapers and magazines, and customised book bags and UCT-branded clothing. POST OFFICE (RHODES GIFT) University Avenue North, Upper Campus (between Otto Beit and Computer Science Building). Tel: 021 685 5460 ATMS (CASH MACHINES) These are located in the Chancellor Oppenheimer Building (ABSA, Standard Bank), and Leslie Social Sciences Building (FNB and Nedbank), and Kramer Law Building. RESTAURANTS, CAFÉS, AND FOOD OUTLETS ON CAMPUS The tea room, in the EGS department is also equipped with a fridge, microwave, hot water, and seating area, which is available to all staff and students in the EGS department. Tea and coffee are served from 10.30am until 11am, and you are more than welcome to join us in the tea room. Although there are a large variety of food outlets on campus, there are a few places which are really popular and always busy: - The UCT Club (restaurant and bar) in the Sports Centre offers good meals and very reasonably
priced drinks. Open throughout the day and in the evening. Tel: 021 650 3161 - Café Quencha in the Robert Leslie Social Sciences Building offers a selection of great coffees and
a variety of hot and cold food at reasonable prices. - The Kaplan Centre Cafeteria has a chilled atmosphere and services a variety of kosher meals. - The Food Court, at the bottom of the Steve Biko Building has a variety of options, including
sandwiches, muffins, burgers and chips, wraps, fruit, hot curries, snacks and drinks. - Higher Cuisine, in the basement of the Robert Leslie Social Science Building, services a variety of
tasty vegetarian meals. - MacHarries, situated outside the New Sciences Lecture Theatre (NSLT), is a campus institution
famous for its toasted pitas, and ‘bring your own cup’ brand of coffee. - The School of Architecture building (Centlivres Building) contains a small café which has a
wonderful ‘make your own’ range of wraps and salads and is vegan friendly. Situated on the first floor.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS Campus Protection Services (CPS): Burnage (Lower Campus): 021 650 2222/3; Robert Leslie (Upper Campus): 021 650 2121; Kramer (Middle Campus): 021 650 3022 Student Wellness Centre (Clinic Services): 021 650 4589/3000 Sexual Harassment Prevention: 021 650 3530 Fire Prevention : 021 650 3552 Traffic Services: 021 650 3312/3/ South African Police Services (SAPS) Rondebosch: 021 689 9321; SAPS Mowbray: 021 685 7111; SAPS Woodstock: 021 447 3883 UCT Private Academic Hospital Anzio Road, Observatory. 021 442 1800 (Hospital Switchboard). Email: [email protected] Groote Schuur Hospital (public hospital). Main Road, Observatory. 021 404 9111. www.gsh.co.za Ambulance: 999/10177 Rape Crisis (Roman Rd, Observatory): 021 447 1467; 021 447 9762 (Counselling Line)
Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (Observatory): 021 447 8026. Email: [email protected]