In honour of Women’s Month, the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) proudly presents the Women of Impact Series. This series celebrates the outstanding achievements of our female graduates, partners, and project leaders in the Humanities and Social Sciences. We showcase the groundbreaking research, extraordinary dedication, and inspiring visions of these accomplished women. Through their innovative work and unwavering commitment, they have advanced in their respective fields and shaped a more inclusive and diverse future. Join us in celebrating their remarkable contributions and stories.

1. Can you share a bit about your journey and experiences as a project leader with the NIHSS, and how this has influenced your work and personal growth?

My journey as a project leader through significant support by the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) has been profoundly transformative, both professionally and personally. Leading research projects supported by NIHSS has allowed me to intersect various domains of knowledge, from Preventive Audiology to the decolonization of knowledge, which has enriched my approach to research and practice. This leadership role has not only enhanced my ability to manage complex projects but also deepened my commitment to fostering an Afrocentric perspective in audiology and healthcare.

One of the most significant influences on my work has been the opportunity to lead the Wits Preventive Audiology research cluster as its Chair. This role has required a multifaceted approach to address preventive measures in audiology, particularly in the African context for the most prevalent burdens of ear and hearing disease in this context including drug-induced hearing loss (ototoxicity), noise-induced hearing loss, middle ear pathologies (ear infections), and childhood hearing loss (early hearing detection and intervention -EHDI) – all of which I have published extensively in, including numerous journal articles and the following books and special issues/collections:

• Khunou, G., Phaswana, E.D, Khoza-Shangase, K., & Canham, H. (Eds) (2019). Black Academic Voices: The South African Experience (Eds) HSRC Press. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/14010  - – Book - Winner of the 2020 HSS Award Non-fiction category
• Khoza-Shangase, K., & Moroe, N. (Eds.) (2020). Occupational Hearing Loss in Africa: An interdisciplinary view of the current status [Special Issue: Occupational Hearing Loss in Africa: An interdisciplinary view of the current status] South African Journal of Communications Disorders. Vol 67, No 2 | a700 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajcd.v67i2.700 - Special Issue NIHSS Funded First Special Issue of its kind in the long history of the SAJCD
• Khoza-Shangase, K., & Kanji, A. (2021). Early Detection and Intervention in Audiology: An African Perspective. (Eds) Wits University Press. https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/46214 -NIHSS Funded Book
• Khoza-Shangase, K (ed.) 2022, Preventive audiology: An African perspective, AOSIS Books, AOSIS Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, pp. i–339. – NIHSS Funded Book
• Khoza-Shangase, K (ed.) 2022, Complexities and challenges in preventive audiology: An African perspective, AOSIS Books, AOSIS Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town. -NIHSS Funded Book
• Khoza-Shangase, K & Moroe, NF (eds.) 2022, Occupational noise-induced hearing loss: An African perspective, AOSIS Books, AOSIS Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, pp. i–256. -NIHSS Funded Book
• Khoza-Shangase, K., Moroe, N., & Neille, J. (Eds) (2022). The impact of COVID-19 on Speech-Language and Hearing Professions in low-and-middle-income countries: Challenges and Opportunities Explored. [Special Issue: The impact of COVID-19 on Speech-Language and Hearing Professions in low-and-middle-income countries: Challenges and Opportunities Explored] South African Journal of Communication Disorders. Special Issue NIHSS Funded Second Special Issue of its kind in the long history of the SAJCD.

By focusing on prevention, we aim to mitigate hearing loss and related issues before they become severe, thus improving the quality of life for many individuals, and being cost-effective for our low-middle income country with limited resources. This preventive focus is particularly relevant in the context of South Africa, where access to healthcare can be limited, and early intervention is crucial.

Through outcomes of the work supported by NIHSS, I have also been able to explore the application of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in audiology, a field that holds immense potential for transforming healthcare and ear and hearing care delivery. My upcoming work, a co-edited book, on "Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies (4IR) in Audiology: An African Perspective" has allowed me to delve into innovative solutions like AI in hearing assessments and IoT-connected hearing devices. These technologies not only offer new ways to address hearing impairments but also ensure that solutions are tailored to the unique needs of African populations, taking into consideration manpower capacity versus demand challenges as well as geographic location divide realities.

Moreover, my leadership in this space has facilitated a broader understanding of the ethical and cultural considerations necessary when implementing new technologies as well as knowledges that are Euro-American centric in nature. This holistic approach ensures that innovations are not only effective but also culturally sensitive and ethically sound. Personally, this journey has been immensely rewarding, allowing me to grow as a leader and a scholar committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by hearing and communication impairments.

2. How does your research and projects address the unique challenges and opportunities in your field, and what key insights or findings do you believe can drive meaningful change and impact in society?

My research and projects are deeply embedded in addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within audiology and communication disorders, particularly in the African context. One of the critical challenges we face is the dearth of contextually relevant research and the application of globally developed technologies without considering local nuances. My work strives to bridge this gap by promoting an Afrocentric perspective in both research and practice.

A key insight from my work is the importance of integrating local cultural and linguistic contexts into audiological practices, diversifying the knowers. For instance, my study on South African parents’ perceptions of communication routes for their Deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children highlights the need for culturally relevant communication methods. The findings emphasize that parental choice of communication routes—whether oral, signing, or bilingual—must be informed by the cultural and linguistic realities of the families involved. This approach not only improves the effectiveness of communication strategies but also ensures that they are more readily accepted and implemented by the communities they are designed to serve.

Another significant aspect of my work is the exploration of patient-led services and the enhancement of patients' advocacy skills. This initiative is crucial in empowering patients to take an active role in their ear and hearing care, thereby improving outcomes and satisfaction. By collaborating with non-profit organizations and conducting surveys and workshops to gather patient input, we can ensure that ear and hearing care practices are more aligned with patient needs and expectations.

In terms of technological advancements, my research into the application of 4IR technologies in audiology has identified several promising avenues for improving hearing care. For example, the integration of AI in hearing assessments can provide more accurate and personalized diagnostics, while IoT-connected hearing devices offer remote monitoring and management capabilities. These innovations have the potential to make ear and hearing care more accessible and efficient, particularly in our resource constrained context.

3. What does the celebration of Women’s Month mean to you?

The celebration of Women’s Month holds profound significance for me, both personally and professionally. It is a time to pause and reflect on the progress made towards gender equality and to acknowledge the ongoing challenges that women face in various spheres of life, including academia and healthcare. As the first Black African woman to receive a PhD in Audiology from an African university and the first and only Black female African Full Professor in my field, I am acutely aware of the barriers that women, particularly Black African women, must overcome to succeed in academia.

Women’s Month is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women who have paved the way for others and to inspire the next generation of female leaders. It is also a reminder of the importance of supporting and mentoring young women in their academic and professional journeys. Throughout my career, I have been committed to mentoring young scholars, particularly women, to help them navigate the challenges of academia and reach their full potential.

Furthermore, Women’s Month underscores the need for continued advocacy for gender equity in all fields. In the context of audiology and healthcare, this means promoting policies and practices that support the advancement of women and ensure that they have equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from scientific and technological advancements. Celebrating Women’s Month is a reaffirmation of my commitment to these principles and an acknowledgment of the collective strength and resilience of women – and African women in particular.

4. What role do you see interdisciplinary collaboration playing in your work, and how has it enhanced the outcomes of your research and projects?

Interdisciplinary collaboration plays a pivotal role in my work, enhancing the outcomes of my research and projects significantly. Audiology, by its nature, intersects with various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, technology, linguistics, and social sciences. By collaborating with experts from these diverse fields, we can develop more comprehensive and effective solutions to the challenges faced by individuals with ear and hearing impairments.

One of the key benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration is the ability to integrate different perspectives and areas of expertise into our research and practice. For example, my work on 4IR technologies in audiology has benefited immensely from collaborations with engineers, computer scientists, and healthcare professionals. This multidisciplinary approach has enabled us to explore innovative solutions such as AI-driven hearing assessments and IoT-connected hearing devices, which would not have been possible within the confines of a single discipline.

Interdisciplinary collaboration also fosters a more holistic understanding of the issues at hand. In my research on drug-induced hearing loss (ototoxicity), collaborating with clinicians, pharmacists, physicians, psychologists and regulators has provided valuable insights into the influences and impacts of this burden of disease. This comprehensive approach ensures that our recommendations are not only scientifically sound but also practically relevant and contextually sensitive and responsive.

Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration enhances the potential for real-world impact. By working with policymakers, non-profit organizations, and community leaders, we can translate our research findings into actionable strategies that benefit society, thus contributing towards the achievement of relevant UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. For instance, our collaborative efforts in patient-led services and advocacy have led to contributions towards HPCSA guidelines on various aspects of preventive audiology including EHDI and ototoxicity; the development of workshops and training programmes that empower practitioners and patients and improve ear and hearing care delivery.

In conclusion, my journey and experiences as a project leader have significantly influenced my work and personal growth, driving me to address unique challenges and opportunities in audiology with an Afrocentric perspective. Celebrating Women’s Month reaffirms my commitment to gender equity and the empowerment of women in academia and healthcare. Interdisciplinary collaboration has been instrumental in enhancing the outcomes of my research and projects, enabling us to develop innovative, culturally relevant, and impactful solutions for individuals with ear and hearing impairments. Through these efforts, I aim to drive meaningful change and contribute to the advancement of audiology and healthcare in South Africa and beyond.