As part of Research Week 2025, SPU’s Faculty of Humanities hosted the Women in Research in the Humanities (WORTH) Colloquium, which continues to grow as a space that amplifies the voices of women researchers and drives transformative scholarship in the Humanities.
In her opening address, Prof Boitumelo Diale, Dean of the Faculty of Education, stressed the significance of the colloquium, both personally and institutionally. As the only female dean at SPU, she reflected on her own academic journey from educational psychology into leadership, emphasising the importance of linking human understanding with educational transformation. She highlighted the groundbreaking work presented by women scholars, ranging from research on gender-based violence and climate change to indigenous knowledge systems, youth political engagement and water scarcity. Each contribution reflected the power of inclusive and collaborative research methodologies that address urgent societal challenges.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof Zimitri Erasmus, Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of the Witwatersrand, under the theme “Scholarly Life as Relational: What I Learned from You.” She emphasised mentorship, collaboration and the importance of care in academic spaces. Paying tribute to the resilience of women in academia, Prof Erasmus reminded guests that their very presence is a form of disruption and intervention. She urged the academic community to see scholarly life not as an isolated pursuit, but as a deeply relational practice built on mutual support, intergenerational exchange and collaboration.
A highlight of the colloquium was the diverse range of postgraduate research presented by SPU scholars, each addressing critical debates in the Humanities. Their work highlighted how women-led research brings fresh perspectives, ethical reflection and real-world relevance to topics that matter deeply in the Northern Cape, South Africa and beyond. Collectively, these presentations demonstrated the role of Humanities research in shaping socially responsive knowledge, bridging academic inquiry with lived experience and amplifying the voices of often marginalised communities.
In his closing remarks, Prof Russel Viljoen, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, thanked all participants for their contributions. He expressed admiration for the confidence and fearlessness shown in the presentations, noting how they demonstrated the intellectual courage needed to advance research in the Humanities.
The WORTH 2025 Colloquium reminded us that when women in research in the Humanities speak, they do not simply add to scholarship; they shift it. Their voices challenge silence, confront inequality and weave new ways of knowing into the fabric of society. By elevating these voices, SPU affirms that women are not only participants in research but leaders shaping its future, carrying knowledge that transforms lives and reimagines what is possible.
