The National Research Foundation (NRF) has a long history, dating back to 1984, of instituting a system of evaluating and rating researchers. Annually, researchers from universities and research councils - including international researchers - apply for evaluation by the NRF. Evaluated researchers are put in categories that depict their standing within the scientific community. These ratings are difficult to attain and are thus held in high esteem.
For information about ratings, and the criteria applied to each, visit the NRF website: http://www.nrf.ac.za/
Unisa is proud of all its NRF-rated researchers. One of the portfolio's goals is to provide the support needed for the university's researchers to attain higher ratings, as well as increase the number of NRF rated researchers in general. Not only is support seen as imperative, but numerous incentives are available to those who are rated as further encouragement in their pursuit of excellence.
Below is a list of Unisa's NRF rated researchers with the rating they currently hold:
An A rating is given to researchers who are unequivocally recognised by their peers as leading international scholars in their field for high quality and impact of their recent research outputs.
| Name | Department/Institute/Centre/Unit | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prof D Glasser | Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS) Research Institute | A1 |
| Prof Anthony G Reddie | Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology | A2 |
| Dr K Gazu | English Studies | A2 |
A B rating is given to researchers who enjoy considerable international recognition by their peers for the high quality and impact of their recent research outputs.
| Name | Department/Institute/Centre/Unit | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prof D Hildebrandt | Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS) Research Institute | B1 |
| Prof P Henzi | Environmental Sciences | B1 |
| Prof S Eiselen | Private Law | B1 |
| Prof WL Fouche | Decision Sciences | B1 |
| Prof NRA Romm | Adult Basic Education | B2 |
| Prof EC Liebenberg | Geography | B2 |
| Prof Mohamed Seedat | Institute for Social and Health Sciences (ISHS) | B2 |
| Prof M Coetzee | Industrial and Organisational Psychology | B2 |
| Prof TA Dube | Mathematical Sciences | B3 |
| Prof Paul Prinsloo | Business Management | B3 |
| Prof Jaco S Dreyer | Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology | B3 |
| Prof KH Jordaan | Decision Sciences | B3 |
| Prof J Pretorius | Mercantile Law | B3 |
| Prof PR Bosman | Biblical and Ancient Studies | B3 |
| Prof GA van den Heever | Biblical and Ancient Studies | B3 |
| Prof PF Craffert | Biblical and Ancient Studies | B3 |
| Prof SC Ray | Physics | B3 |
A C rating is given to established researchers with a sustained recent record of productivity in the field who are recognised by their peers as having:
| Name | Department/Institute/Centre/Unit | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Naiema Taliep | Institute for Social and Health Sciences (ISHS) | C |
| Prof JD Botha | Mathematical Sciences | C1 |
| Prof KM Malan | Decision Sciences | C1 |
| Prof A Loubser | Mercantile Law | C1 |
| Prof T Pistorius | Mercantile Law | C1 |
| Prof M Kelly-Louw | Mercantile Law | C1 |
| Prof JM Potgieter | Private Law | C1 |
| Prof J Heaton | Private Law | C1 |
| Prof M Mkansi | Operations Management | C1 |
| Prof Pieter Fourie | Communication Science | C1 |
| Prof DW Hedding | Geography | C1 |
| Prof MT Gumbo | Science and Technology Education | C1 |
| Prof HB Ebrahim | Early Childhood Education | C1 |
| Prof AE Botha | Physics | C1 |
| Prof E Mnkandla | Computing | C2 |
| Prof LL Jewell(Associate chair- Quality and ECSA Accreditation & Library ) | Chemical Engineering | C2 |
| Prof MA Kebede | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | C2 |
| Prof VR Veeredhi | Mechanical Engineering | C2 |
| Prof ME Baloyi | Research Institute for Theology and Religion | C2 |
| Prof I. D. Mothoagae | Gender Studies | C2 |
| Prof J Murray | Deanery | C2 |
| Prof HI Atagana | Life and Consumer Sciences | C2 |
| Prof PJ Segalo | Psychology | C2 |
| Prof MS Dhlamini | Physics | C2 |
| Ashley van Niekerk | Social and Health Studies (ISHS) | C2 |
| Prof PM Alexander | Computing | C2 |
| Prof Felix Bankole | Computing | C2 |
| Prof N Eccles | Corporate Citizenship | C2 |
| Prof TAM Msagati | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | C2 |
| Prof Hossana Twinomurinzi | Computing | C2 |
| Prof Judy van Biljon | Computing | C2 |
| Prof X Liu | Research | C2 |
| Prof T McIntyre | Life and Consumer Sciences | C2 |
| Prof Nisha Sewdass | Business Management | C2 |
| Dr M du Bois | Mercantile Law | C2 |
| Prof EN Nxumalo | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | C2 |
| Prof De Villiers | Computing | C2 |
| Prof E Oliver | Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology | C2 |
| Prof TD Mashau | Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology | C2 |
| Prof Legesse Kassa Debusho | Statistics | C2 |
| Prof Lourens Erasmus | Financial Governance | C2 |
| Prof Z Wang | Electrical Engineering | C2 |
| Prof M Noor Davids | Educational Foundations | C2 |
| Prof M Naidoo | C2 | |
| Prof Elsabé Kloppers | C2 | |
| Prof H Ramantswana | Biblical and Ancient Studies | C2 |
| Prof Russel Viljoen | History | C2 |
| Prof R Kelbrick | Mercantile Law | C2 |
| Prof HA Barnard | Industrial and Organisational Psychology | C2 |
| Prof IM Knobel | Private Law | C2 |
| Prof N Martins | Industrial and Organisational Psychology | C2 |
| Prof JS Wessels | Public Administration and Management | C2 |
| Prof R van Eeden | Psychology | C2 |
| Prof KJ Maphunye | Political Sciences | C2 |
| Prof AC Horn | Geography | C2 |
| Prof R Barker | Communication Science | C2 |
| Prof GC Angelopulo | Communication Science | C2 |
| Prof E Bornman | Communication Science | C2 |
| Prof A Kreuiter | English Studies | C2 |
| Prof Jan H Kroeze | Computing | C2 |
| Prof OB Onyancha | Information Science | C2 |
| Prof Bernadene de Clercq | Taxation | C2 |
| Prof J Seroto | Educational Foundations | C2 |
| Prof S Gildenhuys | Life and Consumer Sciences | C2 |
| Prof CA Mbajiorgu | Agriculture and Animal Health | C2 |
| Prof E Dreyer | Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology | C2 |
| Prof M le Roux | Biblical and Ancient Studies | C2 |
| Prof GF Snyman | Biblical and Ancient Studies | C2 |
| Prof MJ Masenya | Biblical and Ancient Studies | C2 |
| Prof PJJ Botha | Biblical and Ancient Studies | C2 |
| Prof IJJ Spangenberg | Biblical and Ancient Studies | C2 |
| Prof JM Strijdom | Religious Studies and Arabic | C2 |
| Prof FT Tabit | Life and Consumer Sciences | C2 |
| Prof LR Brown | Environmental Sciences | C2 |
| Prof Barry Ackers | Auditing | C2 |
| Prof MJ Mphahlele | Chemistry | C2 |
| Prof VS Vallabhapurapu | Physics | C2 |
| Prof MS Dhlamini | Physics | C2 |
| Prof E Ranganai | Statistics | C2 |
| Prof EF Doungmo Goufo | Mathematical Sciences | C2 |
| Prof O Ighedo | Mathematical Sciences | C2 |
| Prof D Makina | Finance, Risk Management and Banking | C2 |
| Prof Z Robinson | Economics | C2 |
| Prof NM Odhiambo | Economics | C2 |
| Prof SY Ho | Economics | C2 |
| Prof IL Potgieter | Human Resource Management | C2 |
| Prof E Hurter | Mercantile Law | C2 |
| Prof H Schulze | Mercantile Law | C2 |
| Prof A Smith | Mercantile Law | C2 |
| Prof A W Oguttu | Mercantile Law | C2 |
| Prof AT Kuvarega | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | C2 |
| Prof C Landman | Research Institute for Theology and Religion | C2 |
| Prof W Bentley | Research Institute for Theology and Religion | C2 |
| Dr E Johnson | Inclusive Education | C2 NRF rating (since January 2021) |
| Prof A Hesselink | Criminology and Security Science | C3 |
| Prof CC Enweremadu | Mechanical Engineering | C3 |
| Dr I Kamika | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | C3 |
| Prof TTI Nkambule | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | C3 |
| Prof Renier Steyn | C3 | |
| Prof G Nhamo | Corporate Citizenship | C3 |
| Prof MM Eloff | Corporate Citizenship | C3 |
| Prof LW Snyman | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | C3 |
| Prof D Govender | Criminology and Security Science | C3 |
| Prof AM Tsotetsi-Khambule | Life and Consumer Sciences | C3 |
| Prof VM Ngole-Jeme | Environmental Sciences | C3 |
| Prof M Khumalo | Mathematical Sciences | C3 |
| Prof Elmarie Kritzinger | Computing | C3 |
| Prof Gordon E Dames | C3 | |
| Prof HG Wünch | Biblical and Ancient Studies | C3 |
| Prof M Keuris | Afrikaans and Theory of Literature | C3 |
| Prof J Knobel | Private Law | C3 |
| Prof A Mangu | Public, Constitutional and International | C3 |
| Prof WFM Luyt | Corrections Management | C3 |
| Prof H Nienaber | Operations Management | C3 |
| Prof JA Nel | Psychology | C3 |
| Prof J Maritz | Health Studies | C3 |
| Prof Jo-Ansie van Wyk | Political Sciences | C3 |
| Prof TC Du Plessis | Communication Science | C3 |
| Prof M Vambe | English Studies | C3 |
| Prof MM van Wyk | Curriculum and Instructional Studies | C3 |
| Prof M Tekere | Environmental Sciences | C3 |
| Prof DS Matjila (Setswana) Language Head Deputy CoD | African Languages | C3 |
| Prof EB Farisani | Biblical and Ancient Studies | C3 |
| Prof M Clasquin-Johnson | Religious Studies and Arabic | C3 |
| Prof H Stoffberg | Environmental Sciences | C3 |
| Prof M Braun | Physics | C3 |
| Prof BM Mothudi | Physics | C3 |
| Prof H Jafari | Mathematical Sciences | C3 |
| Prof I Naidoo | Mathematical Sciences | C3 |
| Prof S Mukeru | Decision Sciences | C3 |
| Prof D Hodge | Economics | C3 |
| Prof Alex Mouton | History | C3 |
| Prof Pascah Mungwini | C3 |
A Y rating is given to young researchers (40 years or younger) who have held the doctorate or equivalent qualification for less than five years at the time of application, and who are recognised as having the potential to establish themselves as researchers within a five-year period after evaluation, based on their performance and productivity of quality research outputs during their doctoral studies and/or early post-doctoral careers.
| Name | Department/Institute/Centre/Unit | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Prof CL De Wet | Biblical and Ancient Studies | Y1 |
| Dr V Masindi | Environmental Sciences | Y1 |
| Prof P Stoop | Mercantile Law | Y1 |
| Prof Callum D Scott | Y2 | |
| Prof A Saurombe | Mercantile Law | Y2 |
| Prof M Swanepoel | Jurisprudence | Y2 |
| Prof B Moyo | Economics | Y2 |
| Prof TLA Leshoro | Economics | Y2 |
| Prof PS Mbule | Physics | Y2 |
| Prof SJ Moloi | Physics | Y2 |
| Prof L L Noto | Physics | Y2 |
| Prof A du Plessis | Geography | Y2 |
| Prof AW Gunter | Geography | Y2 |
| Prof KF Mearns | Environmental Sciences | Y2 |
| Prof N Saurombe | Information Science | Y2 |
| Prof J Maluleka | Information Science | Y2 |
| Prof E Donaldson | English Studies | Y2 |
| Prof Y Botha (Slabbert) | Communication Science | Y2 |
| Prof Elnerine WJ Greeff | Communication Science | Y2 |
| Dr MJ Madito | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | Y2 |
| Prof M Phakathi | Political Sciences | Y2 |
| Prof LC van Jaarsveldt | Public Administration and Management | Y2 |
| Prof TR Carney | Afrikaans and Theory of Literature | Y2 |
| Dr GJ van Wyngaard | Y2 | |
| Prof Tshepo Lephakga | Y2 | |
| Prof VNN Mtshiselwa | Biblical and Ancient Studies | Y2 |
| Prof A Saurombe | Criminal and Procedural Law | Y2 |
| Prof KEM Krauss | Computing | Y2 |
| Prof MS Kgatle | Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology | Y2 |
| Prof. M Mabelebele | Agriculture and Animal Health | Y2 |
| Dr G Mamba | Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability | Y2 |
| Dr N Chimwani | Research | Y2 |
| Dr C Bhondayi | Institute for the Development of Energy for African Sustainability (IDEAS) Research Institute | Y2 |
| Prof T Matambo | Research | Y2 |
| Prof NO Mapholi | Agriculture and Animal Health | Y2 |
| Dr KK Blamey | Y2 | |
| Dr I Kamika | Environmental Sciences | Y2 |
| Dr Corne Van Staden | Computing | Y2 |
| Prof J Wessels | Environmental Sciences | Y2 |
| Prof Adele Da Veiga | Computing | Y2 |
| Dr CA Agyingi | Mathematical Sciences | Y2 |
| Prof L Leonard | Environmental Sciences | Y2 |
| Prof B Patel (Associate Chair – Higher Degrees) | Chemical Engineering | Y2 |
| Prof F Mulenga | Mining Engineering | Y2 |