The Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study Writing, has announced its fellows for the year 2020.
Launched in 2015, the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS), is based at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The institute aims to bring together scholars across the humanities and natural sciences, in a conducive environment that encourages research and production of high quality artistic works.
Previous fellows of the institute include; Esther Akinlabi (Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science at the University of Johannesburg), Sylvester C. Chima (Associate Professor and Head of the Programme of Bio and Research Ethics and Medical Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal), Fred Khumalo (author), Yewande Omotoso (writer), Maya Wegerif (writer), Dr Meng-Hsuan Chou (Assistant Professor in the Public Policy and Global Affairs Programme at NTU Singapore), Niq Mhlongo (writer), Zukiswa Wanner (writer), Anthea M Lesch (lecturer, scholar, activist and qualitative researcher based in the Psychology Department at Stellenbosch University), amongst others.
A total of fifteen fellows have been selected for the 2020 programme. They include; NoViolet Bulawayo (award-winning Zimbabwean author), Malebo Sephodi (author, community development worker and an interdisciplinary scholar), Simphiwe Gloria Ndlovu (author of the award winning novel, “The Theory of Flight”), Charl Naude (renowned poet), Aderemi Kuku (professor of mathematics), Pier Paolo Frassinelli (Associate Professor at the Department of Communication Studies, University of Johannesburg), Amber Day (professor of media and performance studies), Francis Musoni (Associate Professor in History at the University of Kentuky), Nisha Poyyaprath Rayaroth (holds a PhD in history from the University of Delhi), Fazil Moradi (fellow of Law, Organization, Science and Technology Research Network), Amaha Senu (social scientist), Carien Smith (writer), Layla Brown-Vincent (Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston), Alicia Hayashi Lazzarini (human and economic geographer), and Olivia Umurerwa Rutazibwa (Belgian/Rwandan political scientist).