Health, Welfare, and Human Security

The research theme of health, welfare, and human security focuses on the complex interplay of factors that shape health and well-being. Research in this area explores a wide range of topics, including the social determinants of health, early childhood development, the cultural and social meanings of illness, and health care. While some scholars emphasize the importance of individual behaviour and lifestyle choices in promoting health and well-being, others focus on the social and economic inequalities and structural factors that shape health outcomes and access to health care. Another important aspect of research in this area includes an exploration of the politics and power dynamics that influence health and welfare policies, and their impact on individuals, communities, and societies. Research in human security encompasses various dimensions, including conflict and violence studies, crime studies, governance, and the broader implications of social, economic, and political factors that affect human security and welfare.

Research Clusters

Poverty, Inequality, and Development

Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist studies

Race, Culture, and Identity

Language and Society

Health, Welfare, and Human Security

Politics, Governance, and Citizenship

Ethics, Social Justice, and Human Rights

Land, Environment, and Sustainable Development

Conflict, Violence, and Reconciliation

Science, Technology, and Communication

Performance and Visual Arts

Department	Researcher	Areas of focus
Drama	Ms Amelda Brand	Researching creative arts practices as a resource for wellness, community building and information sharing.
Geography & Environmental Studies	Dr Danie du Plessis	Urban crime and the built environment.
History	Prof Sandra Swart	Medical Primatology, animals in labs, baboons as medical proxies.
History	Dr Chet Fransch	Medical histories.
Music	Bridget Rennie-Salonen	Interdisciplinary research integrating optimal artistic performance with well-being and health promotion, including musicians’ health literacy.
Philosophy	Dr Andrea Palk	The conceptual foundations of psychiatry and the philosophy of mental disorder; Ethics and Philosophy of Psychiatry, Biomedical ethics including the ethics of bio enhancement.
	Mr Phila Msimang	Population descriptors in health; racism in health; race as a social determinant of health; Social determinants of health.
	Prof Louise Du Toit	The role of state institutions (medicine, police, criminal justice) in resisting rape culture.
Political Science	Prof Pieter Fourie	Global health governance; the political epidemiology of development and inequality; and the politics of HIV and AIDS.
	Dr Guy Lamb	Conflict and violence analysis; crime and violence prevention; policing; peacebuilding; international and regional security (Africa); urban safety.
	Dr Derica Lambrechts	The rise of the uncivil society, criminal governance, and illicit economies.
Psychology	Ms Megan Snow	Chronic illness; children and development; youth risk behaviour’ psychopathology; women’s mental health.
	Prof Lou-Marie Kruger	Women’s mental health; poverty and mental health.
	Dr Bronwyne Coetzee	Understanding and investigating psychosocial and behavioural factors associated with chronic illnesses and progressive diseases, and developing and implementing early interventions aimed at supporting the psychological well-being of young people and their parents/caregivers.
	Prof Ashraf Kagee	Adherence to antiretroviral therapy; common mental disorders among persons living with HIV; stress and trauma; health behaviours; structural barriers to health promotion.
	Dr Anthea Lesch	Social and structural inequalities and their impact on the health and well-being of vulnerable and marginalised groups; HIV/AIDS and biomedical HIV prevention research; community engagement approaches and strategies.
	Prof Rizwana Roomaney	Research in reproductive health (infertility and fertility preservation; endometriosis, PCOS, etc) and online health-seeking behaviour.
	Prof Leslie Swartz	Disability rights and access, including the rights of people with mental disorders. Current large project is on language and access to mental health care.
	Ms Mariam Salie	Exploring the explanatory models of mental health amongst Muslims in the Western Cape; exploring the needs of South African Muslims to reach a more culturally appropriate model of treatment; Culture and mental health, mental health and wellbeing, CBT training.
	Dr Dale Moodley	Adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
	Prof Elmien Lesch	Intimacy experiences and processes in close relationships, including parent-child and romantic relationships, as well as relationship/couple psychotherapy.
	Prof Chrisma Pretorius	Clinical neuropsychology, focusing on the psychological and social burden imposed by chronic illnesses on individuals, their families and society at large. Specific interest in researching chronic conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia and Epilepsy, with a specific focus on Functional Seizures (FS).
	Prof Ronelle Carolissen	Transformation in higher education/ Higher education for the public good.
RADAR	Dr Robyn Pharoah; Dr Patricia Zweig	The inherent links between risk and development – often involves concerns about public health and human welfare as well as social justice in this regard.
SARChi Gender Politics	Dr Ubanesia Adams-Jack	The implementation of health system transformation (District Health System) in the Western Cape.
Social Work	Dr Ilze Slabbert	Health care; mental health and substance abuse.
	Prof Lambert Engelbrecht	Social work education; social security systems in social work.
	Prof Marianne Strydom	Child and family welfare services; child abuse and neglect; child protection; family preservation services; family counselling; impact of neoliberal discourse on child and family welfare services; social work education.
Sociology & Social Anthropology	Dr Ziyanda Majombozi	Illness experiences; reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health.
Visual Arts	Dr Karolien Perold-Bull	Use of multimodal, art-based research methods in the context of healthcare.