The School of Social Sciences cordially invites you to a Virtual Seminar by Nikki Green, lecturer at the University of Western Cape.
Abstract
In this session, Nikki will share insights from her experiences in coordinating Service Learning (SL) at Rhodes University, as well as an academic implementing SL programmes at the University of the Western Cape. She will highlight practical approaches to integrating Service Learning into the curriculum across diverse disciplines, drawing on examples from Education, Health Sciences, Commerce, and more. The presentation will explore strategies for building ethical, reciprocal, and sustainable partnerships with communities. Additionally, the seminar will also introduce the shift from traditional to critical models of Service Learning, encouraging participants to reflect on the role of power, justice, and co-creation in their teaching and learning practices.
Bio Note
Nikki’s career has been deeply rooted in community development, social justice, and higher education, with a strong focus on integrating community engagement into academic practice. By qualification, she is an Occupational Therapist with a master’s degree in occupational therapy/Community Development from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). She has also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability Learning at Rhodes University in 2024, a journey that aligns with her passion for advancing sustainable and socially responsive practices in higher education. Nikki’s professional journey spans roles as a Lecturer in Community Development at the Occupational Therapy Department of the UWC and as the Coordinator for Community-Centred Programmes at the Centre for Social Development (CSD) at Rhodes University. In these roles, she championed initiatives in Early Childhood Development (ECD), literacy development, food security, and community-based education—always advocating for socially responsive and culturally sensitive practices that empower marginalized communities. As a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity in South Africa (https://www.atlanticfellows.org/), she continues to advocate for health equity and social justice with a focus on educational transformation. Their teaching philosophy integrates experiential learning, critical reflection, and active collaboration with community partners, fostering meaningful engagement between the university and broader society.
Nikki is passionate about contributing to the transformation of higher education through community engagement and look forward to expanding this impact in her role as a Service-Learning Coordinator at RUCE”.
Meeting ID: 360 906 018 998
Passcode: 4JW96XQ9
For more information, kindly contact Lebo Serobane.