Law and Management Studies Academics on UKZN’s Top-Performing Young Researchers List

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Three academics from the College of Law and Management Studies are on UKZN’s Top 10 list of Young Published Researchers (40 years old and younger) in recognition of their outstanding performances in 2019.

They are Graduate School of Business and Leadership lecturer Dr Pfano Mashau, Professor Paul-Francois Muzindutsi of the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, and Mr Jabulani Nyawo of the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance.

The Top 10 Young Published Researchers are determined by the number of peer-reviewed articles they have had published in journals recognised and accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Mashau says he feels his achievement is an indication that as a young academic he is doing something right. ‘It is an honour to be recognised as it takes a lot of effort to get one paper published. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, I am currently working on ensuring my students’ research projects that are relevant as such work produces meaningful results. I feel encouraged to do more and to continue improving on my research work,’ he said.

Muzindutsi, an academic in the Finance Discipline, feels that this award is essential in recognising the hard work that goes into research. ‘I hope this achievement will encourage other emerging researchers to establish themselves in the international research arena. I am currently working on research projects focusing on evaluating the interactions between financial markets and factors such as sovereign risk and investor sentiment during the COVID-19 crisis,’ he said.

Nyawo, an emerging academic in the Discipline of Public Administration, says the achievement is an indication his academic career is progressing in the right direction.

‘I hope my achievement encourages and motivates other emerging academics to be bold enough to step out of their comfort zones. They should try to meet other researchers, establish collaborations and explore new and challenging topics. COVID-19 has affected us in different ways, and it has not been easy to perform beyond the expected level. I am currently working on several articles with a variety of researchers,’ he said.

Also on her way to establishing herself as a leading researcher nationally and internationally is Dr Norah Msuya - one of the UKZN’s Top 10 Published Postgraduate Students for 2019.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo

Photographs: Supplied