Annual Research Report 2020

10 SPU considers research as the generation of new knowledge, insight and understanding – to be an essential and integrated part of the activities of our University. We understand our status as a comprehensive university in the South African context to mean that, while undergraduate programmes will form the larger proportion of our academic activities and enrolments, our academic staff must also be active in research and scholarship. SPU also subscribes to the idea that teaching, learning and research are integrally connected and that these aspects of our purpose are mutually supportive of our intention to be a good quality university. Much has been written on the nexus between teaching and research (see for example, Angela Brew’s Research and Teaching: Beyond the Divide ) and it is generally agreed that one of the characteristics of high-performing universities across the world is that they pay equal attention to developing their teaching, learning and research activities. The research-active university is only possible if it is founded on high quality teaching and learning practice. In its turn, high quality teaching and learning practice is informed and supported by research-engaged academic staff who are able to ensure that SPU graduates are suitably prepared for the workplace as well as research ready for possible higher-level qualifications. The early years in the development of SPU saw a strong focus on implementing and consolidating the undergraduate programmes of the University, with much emphasis on the teaching preparedness of our academic staff. The research expectations of our academic staff were supported mainly through internal funding and logistical arrangements but there was no systematic approach to direct and develop the research capacity of the University. As we enter the next phase of growth of SPU, it has become clear that the University needs to grow and consolidate the part of its intended identity as a research-active institution. The establishment of the Research Office in December 2019 has significantly enhanced our research capabilities as well as our ability to support academic staff and postgraduate students. As we reflect on and celebrate research at SPU in the year 2020, which proved to be an unprecedented year globally, we cannot help but acknowledge and appreciate all the academics, students, support staff and management who showed resilience and determination in building the SPU research enterprise in all its facets. This first SPU Annual Research Report bears testament to some of the 2020 research highlights and stories as we continue to build ahead over the coming years. Message by the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic Prof. Mary-Jean Baxen Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic