Humanities Academic Elected as President of the South African Education Research Association

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Education academic Professor Labby Ramrathan was recently elected as President of the South African Education Research Association (SAERA). The association contributes to the development and enhancement of education as a research field in South Africa by enhancing scholars’ capacity to conduct appropriate education research in various areas related to the country’s educational development and progress.

‘It is a privilege to serve in a national leadership role at a crucial point in the educational transformation journey,’ said Ramrathan. ‘I feel honoured firstly for the recognition of my contribution to education in South Africa and in the international context; and secondly, for the confidence placed in me by the membership of SAERA to lead such a strong and prolific, yet young and developing association.’

He was elected as President at SAERA’s annual general meeting last October and will serve for two years. Ramrathan will lead the association’s activities and shape its future course in responding to critical issues related to all levels of education within the country. He will also provide direction to future educational research agendas and support capacity development amongst early career scholars and researchers.

‘During my tenure as President, I aim to grow the membership of SAERA, create further opportunities to develop emerging scholars in education and to extend SAERA’s activities across the country through an inclusive, developmental and supportive process,’ said Ramrathan.

Ramrathan is a professor at the School of Education and a NRF-rated researcher who is globally recognised. He has served the School in various leadership positions including Head of School, Acting Deputy Dean and Acting Dean. He has been involved in teacher education for more than 20 years spanning academic teaching, researching Higher Education, teacher development and curriculum studies.

He has been involved in several institutional, national and international projects and has published widely. Ramrathan has been awarded several competitive research grants to research issues related to education. He has supervised more than 60 masters and 25 PhD students to completion and is currently leading the College of Humanities curriculum transformation process within the context of decolonisation.

Words: Melissa Mungroo

Photograph: Supplied