UKZN Academic Appointed to National Social Science Board

The National Institute for Social Sciences (NIHSS) has appointed University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Professor Nirmala Gopal to its board.

The board, according to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), is poised to leverage an extensive array of expertise and a strong commitment to advancing scholarship and transformation in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS).

Its leadership will be instrumental in furthering the Institute’s mission to bolster the HSS through targeted research, innovative practices, and impactful social discourse.

The NIHSS has a primary mandate to create and establish the institutional and logistical infrastructure necessary for the anticipated Higher Education Institution dedicated to HSS. The Institute’s overarching role is to enhance the capacity of the HSS both within South Africa and on an international scale, while also providing counsel to government and civil society regarding HSS-related issues. This is put into practice through various initiatives, including catalytic projects, doctoral schools, and the African Pathways Programme, in addition to supporting the DHET in executing proposed corrective interventions.

Gopal, a prominent criminologist based at UKZN, specialises in youth and gender-based violence, cybercrime, and issues surrounding peace and security in the Global South. Recognised as a National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researcher, she integrates rigorous academic inquiry with community engagement, mentoring students, and spearheading initiatives aimed at enhancing safety in South African schools and communities.

Her extensive experience on the councils of UKZN and Fort Hare, as well as her involvement with the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA), has adequately equipped her to assume the responsibilities of a board member at the NIHSS. In this capacity, her primary function will be to provide strategic oversight and governance, drawing on her diverse background in Higher Education and sectoral leadership.

Her contributions will be pivotal in ensuring that the Humanities and Social Sciences are aligned with the principles of excellence, creativity, and social progress.

Deputy Director-General at the DHET, Dr Marcia Socikwa, has provided valuable insights on governance and accountability, laying a strategic foundation for the incoming board as they work to fulfil the national mandate of strengthening HSS in South Africa.

Said Gopal: “I aim to promote the exploration of emerging research domains that resonate with the objectives outlined in South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. My focus will be on ensuring that research findings contribute to tangible societal impact and foster sustainable development within the Global South majority.”

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied