Novel PhD Research into Social and Emotional Learning Outcomes

BY: .

A love of performing stories, studying fiction and a curiosity in emotion may appear to be disconnected elements, but they converge to tell Dr Derosha Moodley’s story.

Graduating with a PhD in Education focusing on Language and Media Studies, Moodley’s research examined “Using Role-play and Narrative Empathy to Explore Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Outcomes in English Literature Lecture Rooms”. 

‘I looked at the importance of getting both a social and emotional education through interpersonal and intrapersonal skills which provide people with psychosocial tools to use at home, work and in life,’ said Moodley.

Her research produced SEL outcomes through Literature Studies. 

She explains further: ‘When we study literary texts, we critically think about the character who finds themselves in a particular circumstance. If we role-play these scenarios in class and act out the story being studied, we can then reflect and empathise with what we have read and enacted - thereby learning social and emotional skills to use in real life through the literature lesson. As a result, my research produced a model for this type of literary study called the SELLit model (Social and Emotional Learning via Literature Studies).’

Moodley’s study, the first of its kind, provides a model for how literature studies could serve as a medium for offering South African students a social and emotional education. ‘Such an education has not been effectively or singularly provided in mainstream secondary or Higher Education in South Africa, yet it is crucial during the psychologically adjusting phases of both the teenage and early adulthood years,’ she said. 

Her study found that SEL outcomes can be effectively integrated into academic content, specifically English Literature, with participants learning SEL skills such as self-awareness, self-management (intrapersonal competencies), social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making (interpersonal competencies) through acting out and empathically reflecting on the texts they studied.

‘Never did I think that my love for acting, fiction and emotion learning would culminate in a research project that has produced an evidence-based model for helping people learn psychosocial skills,’ Moodley said.

She has also tested her research on the students she teaches.

‘I have celebrated SEL day, which takes place globally in March every year by writing, directing and co-ordinating an event on my campus on the North Coast of Durban. We invited educators, principals, mental health practitioners and thought leaders who were present. My students performed little drama skits on SEL skills which became wonderful information and demonstration sessions. I have the most wonderful students where I work and I learn quite a bit from them as much as they learn from me.’

Moodley’s journey is dotted with several highlights, but she counts speaking at her first academic conference and participating in global webinars on SEL as quite memorable. 

‘Being introduced to SEL by my supervisor Professor Ansurie Pillay has been life changing. I now possess valuable, pragmatic, and intentional ‘human skills’ to teach, using Drama and Literature. Prof Pillay’s guidance, emotional intelligence, expertise, patience, hard work and psychological know-how got me to the finish line. I never felt lost or judged and was given a road map which we worked on together to get to our destination,’ said Moodley. 

‘I am so proud of Derosha’s achievement. She registered for a PhD in education, not having had an education background. She worked hard and made the field her own. All her examiners showered high praise on her for a highly commendable thesis. She is also applying her PhD work to her workplace and community. My heartfelt congratulations go to her. This is a well-deserved achievement,’ said Pillay.

Moodley also acknowledged the strong foundation provided by firstly, the Howard College Drama Department and secondly, the English Department lecturers. ‘UKZN has provided me with incredible experiences in academia. I have met outstanding academics - experts in their fields - who are kind, empathetic, good listeners, non-judgemental, and exceptional scholars. They inspire me to be a good human and a conscious South African. They have also motivated me to create art, use my voice, and embrace the human condition.’

Her physical health presented a concern during her study, but she overcame this with incredible support from her parents, Jenny and Devan Moodley, her partner, Kaveshan Naidoo, and her grandmother Rani Moodley.

‘My parents have supported all my projects and protected my ambitions; they are my greatest gift and I would not have gotten to this stage of my education without them. Thank you to my partner, who supported every stage of this PhD - from the random critical discussions to all forms of operational support. You have been central to my success. This is for our future,’ she said. She also thanks her grandparents Ratha and Gopaul Naicker, her brother Kivendhren Moodley and her future in-laws, Raysellan and Vasantha Naidoo who supported and celebrated her PhD milestones with her. To the family, colleagues, students and friends who cheered her on, she is very grateful.

Moodley is excited for what lies ahead. ‘I am directing a wonderful theatre festival from August to September this year where I hope to integrate some SEL practices into the production. I have so many plans - from SEL articles, plays, and books to training programmes that I want to offer the world. If you want to improve your organisation’s performance, contact me - I would be happy to have a go at it,’ she said.

Words: Jennene Naidu

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini