Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist studies

Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist studies

The research area of sexualities, gender, and feminist studies encompasses interdisciplinary inquiries that critically examine the intersections of gender, sexuality, power, and social justice. These studies focus on the critical examination of social constructions of gender and sexuality, as well as the historical and contemporary experiences of marginalized groups. Researchers across various departments focus on how social norms and expectations shape gender identities and expressions. Also, how human sexuality is constructed, experienced, and regulated within different social, cultural, and historical contexts. Those focusing on feminist studies address gender inequality and issues related to power, such as misogyny, sexism, and gender-based violence. Numerous scholars focus on the experiences of marginalized groups, including black women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

 

 

 

Department

Researcher

Areas of focus

Afrikaans & Dutch

 

Prof Andries Visagie

The intersections of queer,

masculinities and transgenderism in Afrikaans and Dutch literature.

 

 

 

Dr Amanda Marais

The construction of femininity across different genres; a gerontological-feminist perspective on Afrikaans literature

Ancient Studies

 

Dr Renate Marian van Dijk-Coombes

Ancient Western Asian and North African Cultures with a focus on gender issues in Ancient Western Asia.

AVREQ; SARChi Violent histories & Transgenerational Trauma

 

Dr Samantha van Schalkwyk

 

Gender violence in post-Apartheid South Africa and transforming harmful patriarchal narratives.

 

CEBITA

 

Prof Jeremy Punt

 

Post-colonial and gender studies, including Roman Empire studies and religions in the Graeco-Roman world.

 

CREST; SciSTIP

Prof Heidi Prozesky

Gender differences in the productivity, and recognition of South African and African scientists.

CREST

Prof Nelius Boshoff

Bibliometric studies of inequality in science, with a

 

specific focus on developing a monitoring and evaluation framework to benchmark the performance of women in the South African innovation system.

English

 

Dr Nadia Sanger

 

Global South feminism and the politics of gender, race, class, and sexuality.

Dr Tilla Slabbert

 

Life writing and creative non-fiction; literary-cultural productions of the environment; gender/Queer studies; and (Southern) African literature.

Prof Gabeba Baderoon

 

Sexuality and feminism, particularly  African feminism, race, and sexuality.

 

Prof Evan Mwangi

 

Gender and sexuality in canonical and popular artistic expression.

 

Dr Riaan Oppelt

Violence studies; Film and Media studies; theatre; South African literature; modernity/modernism; life writing

Prof Tina Steiner

Focus on life writing and fiction by African women writers.

Prof Sandra Swart

 

Focus on animals and gender, queer ecology, feminism, and the more-than-human world.

 

Dr Chet Fransch

Focus on gender and identity, inter- and intra-relationship related violence; and sexual violence.

Dr Gibson Ncube

African literary studies focus on queer studies, masculinities and femininities.

Modern Foreign Languages

 

Prof Éric Levéel

 

 

Gay Maghrebi Literature and the Representation of Homosexuality in North African cultural imaginations, as well as gender and queer studies.

 

Dr Isabel dos Santos

 

Focus on women and their portrayal in German literature.

Music

 

Ms Leonore Bredekamp

Historiography, specifically retelling the past through music and theatre, and gender emancipation.

 

Philosophy; Centre for Applied Ethics

Prof Louise du Toit

 

Feminist philosophy, including African and European feminist traditions, focusing on sexual violence and the philosophy of religion.

 

Political Science

 

Dr Ubanesia Adams-Jack

 

Public policy implementation specifically the implementation of gender policy at the provincial government level in South Africa.

 

Psychology

Prof Ronelle Carolissen

 

Decolonial feminist approaches and what this offers to research and teaching.

Prof Lou-Marie Kruger

Researching and assessing women’s mental health.

 

 

 

 

Prof Rizwana Roomaney

 

Sexual and reproductive health among female students.

RADAR

Dr Robyn Pharaoh

The gendered impact of vulnerability to hazards and coping strategies or adaptations.

 

 

SARChi Gender Politics

 

Prof Amanda Gouws

 

Focus on women and citizenship; women’s representation in Government; and national gender machinery

Sociology and Social Anthropology

 

Prof Lindy Heinecken

 

Gender equality and integration in the military, including deployment in military operations.

Dr Khayaat Fakier

 

Northern and Southern Feminisms, feminism specifically in the world of work

 

 

Dr Ziyanda Majombozi

Reproductive, maternal and child health; childbearing; family, care, motherhood and politics of reproduction.

Ton & Anet Vosloo Chair in Afrikaans Language Practice

 

Prof Ilse Feinauer

 

Feminism and Translation especially concerning queer studies and the interpretation of gender and nationalism in Afrikaans translation.

 

Visual Arts

 

Prof Stella Viljoen

 

The intersections of gender, race, and class in representational cultures with a focus on feminist critique in art and media.

 

Prof Ernst van der Wal

 

The intersection of photography, memory, and identity, especially concerning trans subjects; LGBTQ refugees; transgender archives and visualisation of sex work

 

Mariambibi Khan

 

The diaspora of culture, identity, and feminism through jewellery design.