The faculties at the NWU are doing exciting work on the research front. In this edition, we introduce the work of three researchers.
Prof Elma Marais is an associate professor and subject group leader in Afrikaans for Education in the COMBER research entity at the School for Language Education.
She is conducting research through the LEGO® Six Bricks (Care for Education) project in the undergraduate BEd degree.
This is an innovative programme designed to train first-year education students to use LEGO® Six Bricks as an engaging teaching resource, shaping their professional identities and challenging traditional pedagogical norms.
"Through this initiative and research, we are exploring the potential of this creative method to transform teaching approaches and enhance learning environments across South Africa while developing the future teacher's professional identity," she explains.
Prof Abiodun Salawu is the director of the
Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA) research niche area.
He says his research is at the intersection of media and communication, and indigenous and minority languages. "Specifically, I conduct research on African language media and communication. I study the history, content and practice of journalism in African languages."
Prof Salawu also researches issues that may emerge as interplay with the media in the languages, such as their management, political economy and the use of digital technologies, among other things. "I also research the application of these media and communication in African languages, as well as the folk media, for development and democracy."
Prof Lebo Gafane-Matemane is an associate professor of physiology
in the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART).
Her research explores the subject of kidney function, as measured by specific biomarkers. She also investigates the risk for developing hypertension.
Because of the high and disproportionate burden of hypertension in the region, Prof Gafane-Matemane's specific focus is on the populations of African ancestry.
"Hypertension is a silent killer and the major cause of preventable death globally," she says.
