Talks and Presentations

Podcasts

The changing nature of the South African university: Decolonisation, neoliberalism and resistance. Africa in Conversation podcast. Isha Dilraj in conversation with Savo Heleta. PEER Network Africa Hub. 8 December 2023. Spotify.

Towards More Sustainable, Equitable And Just Internationalisation Practices. Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) Climate Dialogues podcast. Antonio Gutiérrez Pérez in conversation with Samia Chasi and Savo Heleta. 5 May 2023. Apple Podcasts / Spotify.

Keynotes

The role of private higher education institutions in contributing to South Africa’s knowledge project. Keynote at the Eduvos Research Indaba 2023. 17 November 2023. [online]

Struggle for decolonisation beyond the ivory tower: Burna Boy’s contribution with ‘Monsters you made’. Keynote at the PEER Network Africa Hub Fellowship Conference: Africa in conversation with political economy. School of Education, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. 18 October 2023.

Neglect of higher education in conflict-affected settings: Realities, challenges and possibilities of transnational solidarity and support. Keynote at the Political Economy of Education (PEER) Network symposium: Supporting and learning from universities in times of conflict – towards resilience and resistance in higher education. University of Sussex, United Kingdom. 6 July 2023.

We all need a bit of support. Keynote address at the 12th annual SACEMA Research Days. SACEMA – Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis. Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa. 12 September 2018.

Academic conference presentations

Reflections on epistemic decolonisation within the neoliberal university. Critical dialogue with Mlamuli Hlatshwayo (University of Johannesburg), Zayd Waghid (Cape Peninsula University of Technology), Bwalya Lungu, Divinia Jithoo, Joe Gcabhashe and Nalini Chitanand (all from Durban University of Techology). Learning and Teaching Imbizo 2023: Beyond Limits: Reshaping the Future of Higher Education. Centre for Learning and Teaching, Durban University of Technology, Durban. 10 October 2023.

International research collaboration in times of coloniality and decolonisation: Challenges and possibilities. Conference workshop facilitated with Divinia Jithoo (Durban University of Technology). Learning and Teaching Imbizo 2023: Beyond Limits: Reshaping the Future of Higher Education. Centre for Learning and Teaching, Durban University of Technology, Durban. 10 October 2023.

Critical analysis of South African universities institutional understanding of comprehensive internationalisation: policy and practice. Roundtable discussion with John Mashayamombe (Nelson Mandela University), Helin Bäckman Kartal (Uppsala University and SASUF), and Erlend Eidsvik (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences). Southern African Nordic Centre (SANORD) network conference 2023, Hamar, Norway, 22 September 2023.

Who collaborates with whom within SANORD? A bibliometric analysis of research collaboration trends, 2013-2022. Presented with Divinia Jithoo (Durban University of Technology). Southern African Nordic Centre (SANORD) network conference 2023, Hamar, Norway, 21 September 2023.

Research collaboration between Germany and South Africa: An analysis of collaboration trends between 2012-2021. Presented with Martin Butler (University of Oldenburg, Germany). International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) 25th annual conference, Durban, South Africa. 24 August 2023.

Macro-level factors impacting international research collaboration in South Africa. Presented with Divinia Jithoo (Durban University of Technology). International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) 25th annual conference, Durban, South Africa. 24 August 2023.

What can we do to make internationalisation conferences more sustainable, equitable and just? Presented with Samia Chasi (IEASA). International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) 25th annual conference, Durban, South Africa. 24 August 2023.

Policy directions on issues of higher education, conflict and post-conflict recovery. Roundtable discussion with Maddalaine Ansell (British Council), Denise Roche (Scholars at Risk), Kate Robertson (Council for At-Risk Academics), Mark Crossey (Universities UK International) and Annabel Boud (Association of Commonwealth Universities). Political Economy of Education (PEER) Network symposium: Supporting and learning from universities in times of conflict – towards resilience and resistance in higher education. University of Sussex, United Kingdom. 6 July 2023. 

International research collaboration between South Africa and rest of the world: A bibliometric analysis of the trends over the past decade. South African Library and Information Consortium (SANLiC) conference - Breaking the mould: Change, disruption, reflection. 23 May 2023. [online]

Reforming scholarly communication and the role of libraries. Panel discussion with Ahmed Bawa, Andrew Joseph, Malavika Legge and Daisy Selematsela. South African Library and Information Consortium conference - Breaking the mould: Change, disruption, reflection. 23 May 2023. [online]

DHET’s lists of accredited journals and bibliometric coloniality in South African higher education. South African Library and Information Consortium conference - Breaking the mould: Change, disruption, reflection. 24 May 2023. [online]

Exploring the use of virtual exchange to develop intercultural competencies using UNESCO Story Circles – a preliminary report. Presented with Penelope Orton (Durban University of Technology). IVEC 2022 - International Virtual Exchange Conference. Valencia, Spain. 26 October 2022.

Collaborative Online International Learning: From an add-on to an integral tool. Chair of a session at the European Association for International Education (EAIE) 32nd annual conference. Speakers: Divinia Jithoo (Durban University of Technology), Harshita Tripathi (Shiv Nadar University), Albina Szeles (Coventry University) and Darla Deardorff (Duke University). Barcelona, Spain. 16 September 2022.

Academic research collaboration between South Africa and the rest of the African continent in the past decade: What the Scopus data tells us? Presented with Divinia Jithoo (Durban University of Technology). International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) 24th annual conference. 25 August 2022. [online]

The ‘quest for relevance’: Reconceptualizing and redefining internationalisation of higher education in South Africa. Systemic University Change Towards Internationalisation for Academia (SUCTI Academia) Final Conference. Held at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland. 2 June 2022.

‘Dem European teaching in my African school’: Unpacking coloniality and Eurocentric hegemony in African education through Burna Boy’s ‘Monsters you made.’ Presented with Sakhile Phiri (Nelson Mandela University). Part of a panel on Re-storying African pedagogies: (Re)producing epistemic decolonization and asserting Black agency. Canadian Association of African Studies Conference 2022. 17 May 2022. [online]

‘Fair cooperation’ in international research: A decolonial take. Workshop co-facilitated with Cornelius Hagenmeier (University of the Free State), Lavern Samuels and Divinia Jithoo (Durban University of Technology). 10th German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) South Africa Conference. International research: Basic foundations for a fair cooperation. 29 October 2021. [online]

Rethinking internationalisation of higher education in South Africa. Presented with Samia Chasi (International Education Association of South Africa and University of the Free State). International Education Association of South Africa 23rd annual conference. 25 August 2021. [online]

SDGs and higher education in low-income countries: Leaving many behind. Part of a panel titled Higher education in the SDGs: solution to global crises? with Maia Chankseliani (University of Oxford), Lavinia Hirsu (University of Glasgow), Tristan McCowan (University College London) and Melis Cin (Lancaster University). UKFIET: The Education and Development Forum conference. University of Oxford, United Kingdom. 19 September 2019.

Decolonising peace and conflict studies. Part of a panel on African-Led Efforts in Preventative Diplomacy, Violent Extremism, and Conflict Resolution: Critical Analysis and Diversifying Knowledge and Practice in International Studies and Peace Studies. International Studies Association 60th annual convention. Toronto, Canada. 29 March 2019.

Dismantling coloniality and decolonising knowledge: An existential project for a more humane and equal world. Being Human(e) in the 21st Century. Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 22 August 2018. 

Rebuilding research and innovation capacity of Somali higher education to meaningfully contribute to recovery and development. 2nd annual international conference on higher education in post-conflict societies. Somali National University. Mogadishu, Somalia. 26 July 2018.

Sustainable Development Goals will fail higher education in the developing world: What can still be done by 2030? Presented with Tohiera Bagus (International Education Association of South Africa). Conference on The Contribution of Business Schools and Higher Education to Inclusive Development. Organised by Stellenbosch University and University of Bath. Stellenbosch, South Africa. 20 April 2017.

Decolonisation of knowledge: Dismantling epistemic violence and historical injustices at South African universities. Presented with Mihlali Mzileni (Nelson Mandela University). Black Management Forum conference: Democratic Violence: Legitimacy, Power and Injustice in Higher Education, Rhodes University. Grahamstown, South Africa. 21 March 2017. 

Internationalisation of higher education in the age of decolonisation. Global Conference on the Internationalisation of Higher Education. Kruger National Park, South Africa. 24 August 2016.

Developing intercultural competence in the aftermath of violent conflict: The role of higher education. Presented with Darla Deardorff (Duke University). Global Conference on the Internationalisation of Higher Education. Kruger National Park, South Africa. 23 August 2016. 

Commodification and commercialisation of higher education internationalisation: Where are we heading? Presented with Miguel Martinez-Saenz (Otterbein University) and Nico Jooste (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University). Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) conference. Montreal, Canada. 23 February 2016.

Changing the paradigm of higher education internationalisation research. Presented with Miguel Martinez-Saenz (Otterbein University) and Jody Felton (University of Cape Town). European Association for International Education conference. Glasgow, Scotland. 17 September 2015.

Peace-building and social justice: Expanding internationalisation’s focus. Presented with Vesna Hart (James Madison University). European Association for International Education conference. Glasgow, Scotland. 17 September 2015.

Tackling xenophobia and Afrophobia in South Africa through internationalisation at home. International Education Association of South Africa 19th annual conference. Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 21 August 2015.

Countering dominant discourses and developing new knowledge in higher education internationalisation: Critical social research and grounded theory approach. International Education Association of South Africa 19th annual conference. Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 20 August 2015.

Meaningful intervention and long-term capacity building in troubled regions. Presented with Martina Sedlakova (SPARK). European Association for International Education conference. Prague, Czech Republic. 18 September 2014.

Promotion of academic freedom and protection of scholars at risk. Presented with Marit Egner (University of Oslo). International Education Association of South Africa 18th annual conference. Johannesburg, South Africa. 22 August 2014.

The role of South African universities in capacity building in African post-conflict countries. International Education Association of South Africa 17th annual conference. Bloemfontein, South Africa. 23 August 2013.

Lectures and talks

Global citizenship education. Interview series with Emiliano Bosio. 25 January 2024. [online] Link to the engagement on You Tube. 

Lack of intra-Africa research collaboration and what to do about this. Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) & Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif). Rsif Guest Webinar Series. 30 August 2023. [online]

Tech industry, social justice and human rights: Working together to benefit all, not few. Panel discussion with Siyabulela Mandela, Fiamma Goretti and Serena Sardi. We Make Future Digital and Social Innovation Festival. Rimini, Italy. 17 June 2023.

Rethinking and redefining internationalisation of higher education in South Africa using a decolonial lens. Presented with Samia Chasi. Webinar organized by the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence. 10 May 2023. [online]

Structural adjustment programmes, SDGs and higher education as a luxury in low-income countries. Webinar organised by the Higher Education and Human Development Research Group, University of the Free State. 6 December 2021. [online]

Decolonizing Education in Africa - Why Pan-Africanism can break the jinx. Webinar organised by the All-Africa Students Union. Panel discussion with Abdul Karim Ibrahim, Yusef Waghid, Sakhile Phiri and Alexis Bosire. 19 November 2021. [online]

Coloniality, knowledge, academia and the decolonisation project in South Africa. Golden Key Southern Africa Virtual Summit 2021. 1 April 2021. [online]

Decolonisation of knowledge and decolonial research. Talk during the Higher Education Studies Doc Week. Higher Education Studies Doctoral Programme, Rhodes University, South Africa. 4 March 2021. [online]

White privilege in South Africa. Panel discussion with Sydelle Willow Smith, Angelo Louw, Zainab Priya Dala and Ayanda Mnyakeni. Google South Africa. 30 July 2020. [online]

Writing war without glamour: Does Emily Hobhouse’s humanitarianism have relevance today? Panel discussion with Rebecca Gill (University of Huddersfield), Borrie LaGrange (Médecins Sans Frontières Southern Africa), Helen Dampier (Leeds Beckett University) and Cornelis Muller (Sol Plaatje University). Free State Arts Festival, Bloemfontein, South Africa. 5 July 2019.

Xenophobia, hate crimes and hate speech in South Africa. Seminar on the Prevention and Combatting of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill. Hosted by the Faculty of Law at Nelson Mandela University and the UNESCO Chair for Human Rights and Public Authorities at the University of the Basque Country, Spain. Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 30 May 2019.

Neglect of higher education in the Sustainable Development Goals: Implications and possibilities for low-income countries. Presented with Tohiera Moodien. ICHEM Seminar. University of Bath: The International Centre for Higher Education Management (ICHEM). Held at Nelson Mandela University Business School, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 3 December 2018.

Colonizable and exploitable: Political geography of Africa since the colonial scramble. Presented with Sakhile Phiri. The Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy (CANRAD). Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 9 May 2018.

Universities as partners: Rebuilding higher education systems and institutions after violent conflict. University of Minnesota – College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). CEHD International Speaker Series. Minneapolis, United States. 17 November 2014.

Ethnic conflict and cooperation. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement. Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, United States. 12 November 2014.

Post-conflict recovery challenges in South Africa, Bosnia and South Sudan. Saint Cloud State University, St Cloud, Minnesota, United States. 13 November 2014.

Causes of displacement in the 21st century. International Network of Universities Student Seminar on Global Citizenship and Peace. Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. 7-9 August 2014.

South Africa’s role in peacekeeping and post-war stabilisation in Africa. South African Defence Review, Eastern Cape Public Participation Programme. Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 23 July 2012.

The implications of the 2011 referendum on the South Sudan Police Service. South Sudan Police Service Senior Leadership Retreat. Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria, South Africa. 18 July 2010.