It is with great pride that I announce the appointment of Professor Sarojini Nadar as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research & Innovation at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) from 1 September 2026.

Professor Nadar is an internationally recognised scholar and activist?academic whose work at the intersections of gender, religion, and social justice has shaped scholarship both locally and globally. She holds the Desmond Tutu SARChI Research Chair in Religion and Social Justice, and her distinguished career reflects a deep commitment to advancing knowledge that is socially engaged, intersectional, and transformative.

Her leadership experience spans multiple roles, including Dean of Research in the College of Humanities at UKZN, Director of the Gender and Religion programme that she co?founded, and co-ordinator of international scholarly networks across five continents. She is a B?rated researcher by the National Research Foundation, a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), and the recipient of numerous awards for both teaching and research excellence.

Prof. Nadar has played a leadership role in shaping South Africa’s research landscape. She served two terms on the NRF's Executive Evaluations Committee and chaired NRF rating panels across multiple disciplinary fields. She currently serves as an advisor to the council of the Academy of Science of South Africa and, beyond academia, serves on the President’s Advisory Council on National Orders.

Professor Nadar’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for UWC, as we continue to strengthen our profile as a leading research institution in South Africa and beyond. Her vision for applied, socially responsive scholarship aligns with UWC’s mission to be a university rooted in justice, equity, and transformation.

We look forward to her leadership in advancing UWC’s research enterprise, nurturing postgraduate scholarship, and ensuring that our innovations contribute meaningfully to society.

Ms Xoliswa Mpongoshe
Chairperson of Council