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UCT Research Report '11
472
Department of Social
Development
Head of Department: Associate Professor
Viviene Taylor
Departmental Profile
The Department of Social Development provides
undergraduate social work education and training
commensurate with the professional standards laid down
by the South African Council for Social Service Professions.
It also offers postgraduate specialist taught programmes
in selected social service professions and postgraduate
programmes by research. As befits professional training,
the Department maintains relationships with a wide
variety of community-based organisations where students
undergo practical training.
The Department places great importance on research.
Current research interests of the Department include
social policy and social protection systems, the
social development of emergent communities, clinical
intervention strategies, restorative justice, research on
gender inequalities and social transformation, human
development and capabilities as pathways out of poverty
& social exclusion, social work in prisons, child & youth
care, social administration and planning, and HIV/AIDS
care strategies.
The Department is also involved in a number of
extension services at both national and international
levels. The Department collaborates with the Western
Cape Provincial Government Department of Education to
undertake research in schools in the Cape Metropolitan
area. International research and comparative work is
encouraged. At present staff in the Department are
involved in international research collaboration in the
fields of mental health, comparative social policy in
Africa, conflict resolution and community development,
financial management of the third sector and mapping
social protection systems in Africa. The latter is research
that feeds into the African Union process on social policy
and social protection.
Departmental Statistics
Permanent and Long-term Contract Staff
Associate Professors
2
Adjunct Associate Professor
1
Senior Lecturers
4
Research Associate
1
Lecturers
5
Junior Researcher
1
Administrative and Clerical Staff
2
Total
16
Students
Doctoral
9
Master’s
61
Honours
44
Undergraduate
1210
Total
1324
Research Fields and Staff
Permanent Staff
Associate Professor Viviene Taylor
Social security/protection; human security; comparative
social policy in Africa and social development with
emphasis on governance, poverty and gender inequalities.
Associate Professor André de v Smit
Organisational theory; management and administration;
social policy; social security; resource allocation.
Adjunct Associate Professor Eric Atmore
Organisational theory; leadership and management; non-
profit sector; early childhood development.
Dr Margaret Booyens
Youth development; social development; community
development; poverty alleviation; leadership and
management in non-profit organizations.
Dr Connie O’Brien
Community development; mental health issues; cultural
diversities; peace education; conflict resolution/mediation;
spirituality/counselling; qualitative research.
Dr Leon Holtzhausen
Criminal Justice Social Work, Substance Addiction and
Transnational Social Work and Migrant Issues.
Dr Johannes John-Langba
Migration, climate change and health; HIV/AIDS; social