Occupational Therapy Lecturer at Texas Conference

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UKZN Lecturer, Mrs Pragashnie Govender, delivered a presentation on instrument development at the Mixed Methods International Association Conference on Patient Engagement in Biomedical and Health Services Research in San Antonio, Texas.

‘It was a humbling experience and probably one that was top of my academic aspirations,’ she said, adding that it had been a privilege to rub shoulders with leaders in the field.

‘The methodology design was conceived during my PhD study in the field of paediatric neurodevelopment, which I intend to hand in later this year.’

Her doctoral research is being supervised by UKZN Honorary Professor Robin Joubert.

‘I have a keen interest in qualitative and mixed methods research,’ said Govender. ‘Due to the fact that there are newer developments and a somewhat poor understanding and adoption of mixed methods research, I have been keeping abreast of trends and activities.’

Govender joined the Mixed Methods International Association in 2013 and was appointed onto their membership committee in 2014. She has continued to follow the activities of this association and the leaders in the field.

Govender thanked Professor Mahmoud Soliman and Professor Mershen Pillay of the School of Health Sciences who funded her flight to the conference. She said she was also grateful for the scholarship awarded to her by the Medical Research Council.

‘I am a first generation graduate in my family hence I acknowledge the privilege of education. During this PhD journey I am beginning to appreciate knowledge generation and knowledge translation as essential for change and impact,’ she said.

Govender enjoys lecturing Occupational Therapy at UKZN and says she hopes to advance herself not only academically but as a contributing member of society.

Lunga Memela