THE FUTURE
is female
At UWC, women are using cutting-edge methods to investigate our universe, examining everything from the DNA in our cells to the nuclear reactions at the heart of stars – and much more. Their work can change the way we view the world – and the way we interact with it. For example... Of UWC’s 19 SARChI Chairs, who help to promote research excellence and innovation and respond to the country’s social and economic challenges, 10 of them – that’s more than half – are women renowned nationally and internationally for their work. Of the seven UWC students selected, in as many years, to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, to share their ideas on science and medicine with some of the finest scientists in the world, four have been women: solar energy nanoscientist Zebib Yunus Nuru, quantum dots researcher Sarah d’Souza, medical bioscientist Shireen Mentor and astrophysicist Nicole Thomas.
Of the over 22 000 students, approximately 60% are women.
Several UWC PhD Candidates have been awarded the prestigious L’Oreal-UNESCO Regional Fellowships For Women in Science in Sub-Saharan Africa – Aline Simo, Sekai Tambo, Candice Rassie and Usisipho Feleni – were among those young women scientists honoured for their work on nanomaterials, photovoltaic cells, TB nanosensors and medication dosages for breast cancer, respectively.
The Chair and Deputy-Chair of Council of UWC are both experienced women executives. Chair Yasmin Forbes has a sterling track record of more than 35 years in the information communications and technology industry, and Deputy-Chair, Cindy Hess, is a Choiseul Laureate – recognised as one of the top 100 young individuals who play a leading role in transforming Africa.
The University Registrar, Dr Nita Lawton-Misra, is another successful woman with a strong leadership and student support role – and also a registered psychologist and a certified life coach.
UWC’s three Deputy Vice-Chancellors are women at the very top of their field: Professor Vivienne Lawack (DVC: Academic), Professor Pamela Dube (DVC: Student Development and Support) and Professor José Frantz (DVC: Research and Innovation).
UWC women are A-rated researchers, NSTF32 Awardees, artists, nurses, entrepreneurs and more.
BALANCING ACT H e a lt H y w o r k- l i f e Habits redefined HOW many times, during a virtual meeting for work, have you had to mute your microphone or switch off your camera to ask your children to keep it down, tend to a sick parent or try to stop your dog from tearing a pillow to shreds? Perhaps you’ve seen other colleagues grappling with maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the academic space. I certainly have — so when I came across an article exploring this issue in the international journal Nature, I was not surprised. Research found that during the pandemic, women in academia in the US reported an increased workload but a decrease in productivity. Their personal well-being suffered and many, despite having partners, took on the bulk of childcare and family responsibilities. In this edition, we asked women from the University of the Western Cape to discuss their work and the challenges they face during this pandemic. They also give insight into how they are trying to maintain the elusive work-life balance in the often challenging academic space. By sharing their stories, we hope to, at the very least, offer some comfort and constructive advice on how to navigate this difficult road. We hope to learn lessons from the women featured in this digimag, to formulate an institutional response.
PROFESSOR VIVIENNE LAWACK Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic
