PsySSA Congratulates Prof Brett Bowman on his appointment as the New Senior Director for Research

The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, of the University of Witwatersrand, announced today the appointment of Professor Brett Bowman as the new Senior Director for Research, effective 1 July 2025. Professor Bowman, a Professor of Psychology and chairperson of the PsySSA Science of Psychology Standing Committee, is an NRF B-rated researcher and a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). He is a distinguished academic and teacher, well suited to this leadership role.

Since 2022, Professor Bowman has served as Head of Postgraduate Strategy in the Research and Innovation Office. Prior to this, he was Assistant Dean for Research in the Faculty of Humanities. His deep understanding of the research landscape at Wits positions him strongly to lead our efforts to advance knowledge, produce impactful research, and support the development of graduates who are ethical and globally engaged leaders.

The PsySSA Awards Standing Committee is thrilled to announce the opening of nominations for this year’s Annual PsySSA Awards! These awards are an opportunity to celebrate and recognize our colleagues who have made significant contributions to the field of psychology.

This year’s awards include:

1. The Awarding of a Fellowship: The award is a lifetime achievement award in recognition of a person that has dedicated his/her life to Psychology in South Africa.
2. Award for the World of Work: This prize is awarded to an individual who has developed, refined, and implemented practices, procedures, policies and methods that have impacted on both people in work settings and the profession of psychology.
3. Award for Mentoring and Development: This prize is awarded in recognition of mentoring and developing the careers/studies of students, psychologists or colleagues.
4. Award for Science: This prize is awarded in recognition of a significant contribution to psychological science by a current or past scholar or team of scholars.
5. Award for Community Service: This prize is awarded to psychologists working in any area of clinical specialisation, health services provision, or consulting, and services provided to any patient population or professional clientele in a community setting.
6. Award for Public Service: This prize is awarded to an individual who has developed, refined, and implemented practices, procedures and methods that had or have an impact on both people in public service settings and the profession of psychology.
7. Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence and/or Graduate Teaching Excellence: This prize is awarded to individuals who have sustained experience in a university requiring substantial teaching responsibilities in Psychology.
8. Award for Practice: This prize is awarded to a practitioner who has made a significant impact in his/her practice, and or community through facilitating the healthy functioning of persons/communities.

Please submit the completed form with the other documentation required to the PsySSA Executive Director, Dr Fatima Seedat: fatima@psyssa.com to arrive no later than 08 August 2025.

The completed form and associated documentation may be sent as follows:
• An email with attachments (Word or PDF documents).

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