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 please share a brief overview of your research and the significance of it in the HSS space?

Given the rise of far-right populism across the globe, there is an important driving element behind these narratives: fear. What people are afraid of and why is a deeply political question. Fear of crime is a big issue around which people make decisions. Discourses around crime and victimhood carry immense political and social weight in South Africa; especially given how crime is linked to class, race and gender. I have used Instagram narratives around farm attacks as a case study to investigate the use of social media to stoke these discourses and make them more divisive and political than necessary.

2. How has funding and support from the NIHSS influenced your academic journey and personal growth?

The funding granted by the NIHSS took a significant burden off my shoulders and allowed me to invest all my energy and time into my research rather than financial questions which would have taken up significant mental space especially given that I completed my Masters in a single year.

3. What inspired you to pursue your Masters Degree and what challenges did you overcome during your academic  journey?

I have always loved research and studying and was determined to study the field of Criminology, given the social importance of crime in our current political landscape. I think that my biggest challenge across my academic journey was the dysfunctional university administration system that inhibits students from reaching their academic potential by creating bureaucratic processes that hugely disadvantage students; especially those from low-income backgrounds.

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

Women’s Month means being able to vote, being able to make decisions about my body and my mind and being able to empower other women around me. Women’s month is an opportunity to give thanks to the women who came before me who fought for me to have the rights I now have.