Basic HTML Version
3
MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
5
INTRODUCTION BY THE DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR
11
INTRODUCTIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
14
RESEARCH DASHBOARD
19
RESEARCH FUNDING
20
POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS AND FUNDING
22
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWS
30
NRF EVALUATION AND RATING
31
SOUTH AFRICAN RESEARCH CHAIRS INITIATIVE
38
UCT SIGNATURE THEMES FOR RESEARCH
38
NATIONAL CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE AND COMPETENCE CENTRES
40
URC-ACCREDITED RESEARCH GROUPINGS
40
INNOVATION AT UCT
41
RESEARCH THEMES
50
CLIMATE CHANGE:
UCT launches a co-ordinated assault on climate change 52
ASTRONOMY:
It’s written in the stars: South Africa is set to make its mark
on astronomy
62
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RELEVANCE:
The business of integrating
research and social responsiveness
68
WATER RESEARCH:
UCT researchers combine to protect one of South
Africa’s most valuable resources: water
74
BURDEN OF DISEASE:
A big-picture view to reduce the burden of
disease in Africa
80
COMPUTING POWER:
The many applications of computing at UCT
92
POVERTY AND ECONOMICS:
Turning the tide
on poverty
100
ENGINEERING THE ECONOMY:
From resources to knowledge:
the quest to
transform South Africa’s economy
108
HUMAN BIOLOGY:
In praise and pursuit of the human body
118
PHYSICS:
Solving the mysteries of the Universe
124
HUMANITIES FOOTPRINT:
Making the case for humanities
130
BRAIN BEHAVIOUR:
The science of substance abuse and other social ills
138
URBAN CHALLENGES:
Creating healthy and resilient
cities for all
146
THE CONSTITUTION:
Public values and private rights
154
RESEARCH WITHOUT BORDERS:
UCT stakes its claim on the international
research landscape
162
RESEARCH SUPPORT:
Looking after a new generation of researchers at UCT
168
FACULTY REPORTS
173
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
174
FACULTY OF LAW
214
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
237
FACULTY OF COMMERCE
383
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
414
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
482
CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
563
Contents
UCT Research Report '11
Detailed research profiles of all departments at the University of Cape Town are available online at
http://www.research2011.uct.ac.za, and on the CD attached to the back of this report.