by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 13, 2024
Prof Ronelle Carolissen is a clinical psychologist and full professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at Stellenbosch University. She is an NRF rated researcher and the current president of PsySSA (Psychological Society of South Africa)
Her predominantly qualitative research expertise and publications explore transformation in higher education. Her research focuses on decolonial feminist pedagogies and critical, decolonial community psychologies in higher education contexts, highlighting experiences of marginalised university students and academic staff. She is the co-editor of the books Community, self and identity: Educating South African university students for citizenship (Human Science Research Council (HSRC Press, 2012), Discerning critical hope in educational practices (Routledge 2014), Transforming Transformation in Teaching and Research in Higher Education (African Sun Media, 2018) and Community Psychology: South African Praxis (2022).
She serves on South African and international journal editorial boards that intersect in the fields of education and community psychology and serves on managing boards, most notably the SAMRC (South African Medical Research Council 2019-present). She holds the 2016 Psychological Association of South Africa award for excellence in teaching psychology in higher education. She was a visiting professor at Stanford University’s Bing overseas community engagement programme in Cape Town (2015-2019) and is a Fulbright research scholar (2021-2022) alumni and a member of ASSAF (Academy of Science of South Africa). She is the Chief Editor of PINS (Psychology in Society).
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 13, 2024
Prof Jace Pillay is a registered educational and counselling psychologist and the South African Research Chair in Education and Care in Childhood in the Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg. In February 2024 he was appointed a UNESCO Chair in Mental Health and Psychological Support for Teachers and Learners in SA. His previous positions at UJ were the Head of the Department of Educational Psychology and Vice Dean in the Faculty of Education. Currently, he heads a research team focusing on the mental health of learners and teachers as well as psychosocial support in schools. As an academic he has published more than 100 journal articles, book chapters and conference proceedings both nationally and internationally. Also, he has supervised numerous postgraduate students and Postdoctoral Research Fellows. Prof Pillay is a keynote and invited speaker in numerous international conferences and has several international research collaborations. In addition to his academic stature, he serves on the Professional Board for Psychology. Also, he serves on the National Steering Committee for Care and Support for Teaching and Learning and chairs the CETA Programme for the Department of Education.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 13, 2024
Mercy Tshilidzi-Mulaudzi is Professor of Psychology at the University of Venda and is Acting Executive Dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences comprising 5 departments, including Psychology. Her research interests are in Mental Health, HIV and AIDS, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Gender-Based Violence and Epidemiology. In the field of Psychology for 36 years, Prof Tshilidzi-Mulaudzi has taught, conducted research, and supervised graduates in psychology who are self-employed or who work in the public and private sectors. She has previously served as Additional Member on the PsySSA Executive and currently serves in the South African National Committee for the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS). Prof Mulaudzi is an academic leader who has not lost her connection with practitioners and the communities she interacts with. Despite her accolades and achievements, she remains humble and accessible.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 12, 2024
Ashley van Heerden is a Clinical Psychologist practising in the Western Cape. She holds a Master of Social Science (Clinical Psychology) and a Master of Social Science (Research Psychology). She also holds certifications in Programme Management (University of Geneva) and Gestalt Therapy.
Under the umbrella of the United Nations, she has developed and implemented relevant, cost-effective human rights programmes within the South African context, assisting numerous NPOs and being invited to present her work at national and international conferences. Broad areas of interest include developmental trauma and working from a social justice perspective, particularly in relation to LGBTQIA+ rights and gender-based violence.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 11, 2024
Pakeezah Rajab is a HPCSA-registered Research Psychologist and Psychometrist, employed as the Senior Researcher at JVR Psychometrics. Her PhD topic (University of Pretoria) was non-intellectual factors that influence mathematics performance in South Africa. She has experience applying psychometric results to a variety of contexts, including schools, private practice, higher education, and corporate environments. Pakeezah has worked on numerous projects that developed, validated and/or standardised assessments for use by the South African population – including aptitude, personality, values, career guidance and emotional intelligence. Her research interests include cognitive functioning, student performance and assessment development.
