Department of Psychology

Prof MMLF Dos Santos

College of Human Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Department: Psychology
Professor
Tel: 012 429 8577
Fax: 012 429 3414
E-mail: dsantmml@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD Clinical Psychology (UCN), DPhil Psychology (Unisa), MSc Sustainability Science (Oxon), MA Psychology (Unisa), Hons BA Psychology (Unisa), B.Soc.Sc. (UFS)

Fields of academic interests

  • Interplay between psychodynamics and ecology – particularly that related to climate change, medicine, health, and the psychopathology spectrum.
  • All aspects associated with sense of self (self-esteem, self-control, self-realisation) and the development of a secure identity and inner vitality.

Field of Specialisation

  • Climate and Environmental Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Psychopathology
  • Transdisciplinary pedagogy

Books

Book chapters and technical reports (selected):
  • NDoH, NDEFF, GIZ, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature and Nuclear Safety of the Federal Republic of Germany, UNISA, CSIR, AHP, IDEES laboratory le Havre University: CNRS, Maastricht University. (2020). Climate change scoping for a risk and vulnerability assessment for the health sector: literature review.  (technical report: Dos Santos, M. led)
  • NDoH, NDEFF, GIZ, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature and Nuclear Safety of the Federal Republic of Germany, UNISA, CSIR, AHP, IDEES laboratory le Havre University: CNRS, Maastricht University. (2020). Climate change scoping for a risk and vulnerability assessment for the health sector: interview analyses.  (technical report: Dos Santos, M. led)
  • NDoH, NDEFF, GIZ, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature and Nuclear Safety of the Federal Republic of Germany, UNISA, CSIR, AHP, IDEES laboratory le Havre University: CNRS, Maastricht University. (2020). Climate change scoping for a risk and vulnerability assessment for the health sector: Risk and vulnerability framework.  (Dos Santos, M. & Pillay, S. led)
  • Editor/adaptor for South African edition of Barlow, D.H. & Durand, V.M. (2017). Chapter 11 Substance-Related, Addictive, and Impulse-Control Disorders in Abnormal psychology:  An integrative approach, seventh edition.  Hampshire: Cengage Learning.
  • Dos Santos, M. & Pellitier, J.F. (eds)  (2017).  The social constructions and experiences of madness.  Oxford, United Kingdom: Inter-Disciplinary Press.
  • Wilson, D. & dos Santos, M. (2017). Psychology’s madness: solipsistic denial of relational dependency. Chapter in The social construction and experience of madness.  Oxford, United Kingdom: Inter-Disciplinary Press.
  • Scheibe, A., Brown, B. & dos Santos, M. (2015). Rapid assessment of HIV prevalence and HIV-related risks among people who inject drugs in five South African cities. Research report. UNODC.
  • Dos Santos, M. M. L., Rataemane, S. T. Mpofu, E. & Plüddemann, A. (2011). Substance use disorder counseling (Chapter 17).  Chapter in Counseling people of African ancestry.  New York, United States: Cambridge University Press.

Journal articles

  • Dos Santos, M. (2022). Climate change and Covid-19 in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region, South Africa, and Amazonas, Brazil. Brazilian Journal of African Studies, 7(13), 197-220.
  • Dos Santos, M., John, J., Garland, R., Palakatsela, R., Banos, A., Martens, P., Nemukula, B., Ramathuba, M., Nkohla, F. & Lenyibi, K. (2022). Climate change and health within the South African context: a thematic content analysis study of climate change and health expert interviews. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 14(1), a3203.
  • Dos Santos, M. (2022). Climate change, holism, evolution and collective intelligence. Sustainability and Climate Change, 15(5).
  • Dos Santos, M. (2022).  Covid-19 recovery and the health argument for climate action. Commentary on World Health Organization COP26 special report on climate change and health. South African Journal of Science, 118,1/2.
  • Dos Santos, M. (2022). Climate change and mental health within the African context.  International Review of Psychiatry, 34(5), 510-512.
  • Dos Santos, M. (2020). Climate change, the fourth industrial revolution and sustainable development in Africa. Africa Insight, 49, 4.
  • Nash, N., Whitmarsh, L., Chapstick, S., Gouveia, V., de Carvalho Rodrigues Arjaulo, R., dos Santos, M., Palakatsela, R., Harder, M., Xiao, W. & Liu, Y. (2019). Local climate change cultures: climate-relevant discursive practices in three emerging economies. Climatic Change, 155, 432, 1-20.
  • Dos Santos, M., Howard, D., Kruger, P., Banos, A. & Kornik, S. (2019). Climate change and healthcare sustainability in the Agincourt sub-district, Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region, South Africa. Sustainability, 11, 2.
  • Dos Santos, M. & Wolvaardt, G.  (2016). Integrated intervention for mental health co-morbidity in HIV positive individuals: a public health assessment.  African Journal of AIDS Research, 15:4, 325-331.
  • Scheibe, A., Makapela,, D., Brown., B, dos Santos, M., Hariga,, F., Virk,, H., Bekker, L-G., Lyan, O., Fee, N., Molnar, M., Eligh, J. & Lehtovuori, R. (2016). HIV prevalence and risk among people who inject drugs in five South African cities.  International Journal of Drug Policy, 30, 107-115.
  • Dos Santos, M. (2015). Mental health comorbidity intervention in people living with HIV in South Africa – a situational analysis. World Journal of Psychotherapy, 1:8.
  • Dos Santos, M.  (2015). Psychological functioning in people living with HIV. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 25:3, 250-257.
  • Dos Santos, M.  (2015). Cognitive and coping functions in people living with HIV. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 25: 4, 327-334. 
  • Dos Santos, M. M. L., Kruger, P., Mellors, S., Wolvaardt, G. & van der Ryst, E. (2014). An exploratory survey measuring stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa: the People Living with HIV Stigma Index. BMC Public Health, 14:80. (designated ‘highly accessed’ status on Biomed Central).
  • Dos Santos, M. M. L., Trautmann, F., Palakatsela, B. R., Mahaye, F. C. & Khoza, M. N.  (2014). Rapid Assessment Response (RAR) study: drug use and health risk – Emthonjeni Correctional Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.  Harm Reduction Journal, 8: 14.
  • Dos Santos, M. (2013). A meaningful psychometric test or a deceptive Ouija Board? A critical analytical review of the Rorschach Inkblot test. South American Journal of Health & Behavioural Science, 1(1), 37-48.
  • Mokoka, M. T., Rataemane, S. T. & dos Santos, M. M. L. (2012). Disability claims on psychiatric grounds within the South African context: a review.  South African Journal of Psychiatry, 18(2), 34-41.
  • Dos Santos, M. M. L., Trautmann, F. & Kools, J. P. (2011).  Rapid Assessment Response Study: Drug Use and Health Risk – Pretoria, South Africa. Harm Reduction Journal, 8(14).
  • Dos Santos, M. M. L., Rataemane, T. S., Trathen, B. & Fourie, D.  (2010). An approach to heroin use disorder intervention within the South African context: A content analysis study.  Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy, 5: 13.
  • Dos Santos, M. & van Staden, F. (2008). Heroin dependence recovery.  Journal of Psychology in Africa, 18(2), 327-338. @font-face

Paper presentations

  • Dos Santos, M. (2022). Climate change and mental health within the African context. Planetary Health Alliance Annual Meeting, Harvard University. 31 October 2022. Boston, Massachusetts: United States of America.
  • Dos Santos, M. (2022). Climate change and mental health within the African context.  Imperial College London: The climate crisis and mental health: a special issue International Review of Psychiatry.  27 September 2022. London: South Africa.
  • Dos Santos, M. (2022). Climate Change, health and healthcare systems in Agincourt and in the broader South Africa.  The University of the Witwatersrand. 11 August 2022. Agincourt, South Africa.
  • Dos Santos, M. et al. (2020). Primary lead for: Workshop on the development of a national climate change and health risk and vulnerability framework. 30 January 2020.  Knowledge Commons, CSIR, Pretoria: South Africa.
  • Dos Santos, M. (2019). Climate change scoping for a risk and vulnerability assessment for the health sector.  National Department of Health World Environmental Health Day. 26 September 2019.  Kimberley: South Africa.
  • Dos Santos, M. & Kruger, P. (2018). Climate and healthcare in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. Seminar: Sustainability, Climate Change and Healthcare.  3 October 2019. Pretoria National Botanical Gardens, Environmental Education Centre, Pretoria: South Africa.
  • Dos Santos, MML. (2018). Climate and health: a holism and eco-epidemiological perspective. 3rd International Conference on Vulnerability and Risk Analysis and Management, 8-11 April 2018, Florianópolis: Brazil.
  • Dos Santos, M.M.L. (2017). Holism, collective intelligence, climate change and sustainable cities. The 7th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Information Technology (SEIT 2017), 16-19 May 2017, Funchal: Madeira.
  • Scheibe, A., Makapela, D., Brown, B., dos Santos, M., Haringa, F., Virk, H, Bekker, L-G., Basson, R., Lyon, O., Fee, N., Molnar, M., Eligh, J. & Lehtovuori, R. (June 2015).  Injecting practices among people who inject drugs in five South African cities.  7th SA AIDS Conference, 9-12 June 2015.  Durban: South Africa.
  • Dos Santos, M.  (January 2015). Mental health co-morbidity in people living with HIV in South Africa – steps towards a synthesis of interventions and policy advancement.1st International Scientific E-Conference, 28th January – 9th February 2015. Georgetown: Guyana.
  • Dos Santos, M.  (August 2014).  The Rorschach inkblot test as measure of psychodynamics in people living with HIV.  Psychotherapy meets Africa:  World Congress for Psychotherapy, 25-29 August 2014.  Durban: South Africa.
  • Dos Santos, M. (July 2014). Mental health comorbidity in people living with HIV in South Africa – steps towards a synthesis of interventions and policy advancement.  28th International Congress of Applied Psychology, 8-13 July 2014.  Paris: France.
  • Dos Santos, M. (July 2014).  Rapid assessment response (RAR) study: drug use and health risk – Emthonjeni Correctional Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.   28th International Congress of Applied Psychology, 8-13 July 2014.  Paris: France.
  • Dos Santos, M. (July 2014).  The Rorschach inkblot test as measure of psychodynamics in people living with HIV.  28th International Congress of Applied Psychology, 8-13 July 2014.  Paris: France.
  • Scheibe, A., Makapela, D., Brown, B., dos Santos, M. et al. (November 2013). HIV prevalence and risk among People Who Inject Drugs In three South African provinces - interim results. 17th ICASA International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa. 7-11 December 2013. Cape Town: South Africa.
  • Dos Santos, M.. (November 2013). Steps to an ecology of mind – climate change impact/adaptation strategy in Africa. Crowds and Climate – Mobilizing Crowds to Develop Ideas and Take Action on Climate Change. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 6-8 November. Cambridge, Massachusetts: United States of America.
  • Dos Santos, M. & Wilson, D. (September 2013). Reflections on the masks and mirrors of madness. 6th Global Conference – Madness: probing the boundaries, 19th - 21st September 2013, Mansfield College, University of Oxford. Oxford: United Kingdom.
  • Dos Santos, M. (July 2013). Mental health comorbidity in people living with HIV in South Africa: steps towards a synthesis of interventions and policy advancement. 3rd International Conference on Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications. Reykjavik, Iceland - 29-31 July. (Oral poster presentation).

 

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Rosalind Franklin Society Awardee in Science.
  • Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, alumnus.
  • Oxford Union life member.
  • Oxford Climate Society member.
  • Charted Psychologist with the British Psychological Society.
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Collective Intelligence Climate CoLab Fellow (MIT Sloan School of Management).
  • CSIR REC board appointed member.
  • Foundation for Professional Development Research Ethics Committee (FPDREC) founder and member.
  • UNODC/UNAIDS/NDoH injection drug use (IDU) technical working group member.
  • FPD research excellence award 2011 & 2012 (Medical Research Council evaluated/selected).
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Collective Intelligence Climate CoLab award recipient (adaptation and civil society) 2013.
  • FPD technical advisor – Strategic Information.
  • National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka 2017 reviewer.

Projects

(Selected):

  • Unisa/Africa Health Placements (AHP)/Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) project conceptualiser and technical liaison – climate change, healthcare and sustainability strategy for Africa.
  • Collaboration with the School of Psychology, University of Cardiff, on a 5-year European Research Council (ERC) Low-Carbon Lifestyles and Behavioural Spillover (CASPI) study implemented in the United Kindgom, Brazil, China, Poland, South Africa, India and Denmark.
  • Research grant awardee under President Emmanuel Macron’s call to ‘Make Our Planet Great Again’, based at Géographie Ciites, a joint research institute of Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Université Paris 7 Diderot universities), and IDEES laboratory, Le Havre University, CNRS.
  • Principal investigator on the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)  grant ‘Climate change scoping for a risk and vulnerability assessment for the health sector’, commissioned by the National Department of Health and the National Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.
  • Sustainability projects with Operation Wallacea in Guyana.
  • World Health Organization (WHO), African Region Consultation on Climate and Health.

Other