College of Human Sciences
A sense of belonging and excellence nurtured through collaboration
From left: Dr Daniel Rankadi Mosako, Lawrence Lemaoana, Dr Phuti Sepuru, Tshegofatso Seoka, Prof Caroline van Niekerk, and Ndabo Bombo
Prof Caroline van Niekerk visited the Department of Art and Music at Unisa on 25 June 2025 as a research associate, to strengthen collegial relationships and promote meaningful collaboration
In her talk, she emphasised the importance of in-person engagement in developing a research-intensive departmental culture. She aims to contribute her expertise and support to the department, staff and students through publishing activities. Her strategic attachment to Unisa is designed to enhance scholarly work and the departmental academic standing.
During her visit, Van Niekerk shared knowledge from her extensive experience in academic publishing, highlighting its cyclical nature and the necessity of resilience when facing editors’ rejections. She encouraged colleagues to aim for international, peer-reviewed journals, especially those listed by DHET, illustrating her points with personal examples of perseverance. She advocates for constructive responses to setbacks and a continuous focus on improvement in the research journey.
With over 20 years of supervision experience and having supervised more than 100 master’s and doctoral students, Van Niekerk offers her co-publishing, co-supervision, editing and reviewing services. She likened her role to that of a mentor available for confidential consultation on academic challenges, promoting a sense of belonging and a collaborative approach grounded in privacy and the transformative power of education.
Van Niekerk’s expertise in dissertation structures and argument development benefits the creative arts. She is a qualified editor and a strong proponent of plain language in academic writing. She highlighted the underutilisation of academics in the music discipline as external examiners and advocated for them to be considered to benefit the department. Supporting the idea of workshops focused on real academic challenges, she provided practical solutions and emphasised the importance of familiarisation with the journal guidelines to streamline the publication process. She expressed her availability and openness to discussions on creative outputs, ethics and research methodologies with colleagues, particularly in music education.
Her current research investigates the role of choirs in society, adapting methodologies and research questions to suit different journals and maximise publication opportunities. She is committed to enhancing the department’s research culture and output, offering feedback and mentorship to both staff and students. The department stands to gain access to a highly accomplished and internationally recognised music education scholar, along with mentorship, feedback and editorial support.
Opportunities for collaborative research, co-supervision and co-publishing were availed, alongside guidance on best practices in academic publishing and research development. She strongly supports the Music Education module, ensuring its quality and relevance.
Van Niekerk’s presence is expected to enhance curriculum review and research output, particularly in music education, ethnomusicology and music therapy. She encourages critical engagement with postcolonial and decolonial perspectives, as discussed with Lawrence Lemaoana and other staff members. She acknowledged the need for adaptive work practices in academia, emphasising efficiency and promoting a culture of continuous research, especially in the arts. Her association with Unisa is viewed as mutually beneficial, advancing her scholarly pursuits and the department’s development.
Dr Phuti Sepuru concluded the session with a vote of thanks, underscoring the value of Van Niekerk’s involvement and anticipating significant contributions to the department’s academic and research endeavours.
* By Dr Phuti Sepuru and Dr Daniel Rankadi Mosako, Department of Art and Music
Publish date: 2025/07/01
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