by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 15, 2025
Prof Lynn Hendricks is an Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University (SU) with a joint PhD in Social Science and Public Health. She specialises in methods innovation, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation. Lynn leads SU’s Social and Environmental Determinants of Health group, the Inclusive Strategies for Promoting Innovation in Research for Equity research group, directs Research Ambition, and co-directs Hearts in Action. A Gilead Public Health and Microsoft Society & AI fellow, she is a board member of SU’s Centre for HIV/AIDS Management. Her creative, community-focused research includes public art exhibitions and documentaries. Lynn has received awards from Springer Nature, Cochrane, and PsySSA for her contributions to inclusive health research.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 15, 2025
Petro Erasmus completed a BA Ed degree in School Guidance and Counselling at the University of Pretoria (1985)(Pretoria), which was followed by a Diploma in Special Education (UNISA) in 1994 and the BEd Honors degree in Educational Management in 1990 at UNISA She then completed her Masters Degree in Guidance and Counselling (2003) at the University of Pretoria (cum laude) as well as a Masters Degree in School Guidance and Counselling (2006)(Unisa). In 2013 she completed her PhD (Educational Psychology) in 2013. She is registered as an Educational Psychologist with the HPCSA (PS0099821)
She has had a private practice in Mafikeng (Child, Family Guidance and Development Centre) since 2007 and a Remedial Centre since 1992. She works extensively in the Mafikeng community.
Her research neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Developmental Dyscalculia) with a specific focus on BRAIN AWARENESS. She is also a member of SEPSA (Society for Educational Psychologists—Division of PSYSSA). She is also on the editorial board of the Journal for Career Construction.
She is the creator of WHARTELSTM, an educational series of products that includes a board game, Puppets, maths apparatus, storybook, and PENPlay app.
by PsySSA-Web Support | Oct 13, 2025
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
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 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.
