Stellenbosch University Library officially launched its 13th annual Library Research Week on Monday, 12 May 2025, with a hybrid opening session that brought together staff, students, and researchers both in-person and online. The event set the tone for a thought-provoking and inspiring week of engagement, learning, and collaboration under the theme: “Let's Partner for Research Impact."
Opening the session, Ms Ellen R. Tise, Senior Director of Library and Information Service, welcomed all attendees to this flagship event in the University's academic calendar. Reflecting on the theme, she emphasized that impactful research is inherently collaborative—requiring partnerships across disciplines, institutions, sectors, and borders.
Thereafter, Professor Moyo officially opened the Library Research Week 2025, acknowledging the efforts of the Library team for their consistent efficiency and innovation.
Highlighting the importance of investing in the future of education, Prof Moyo stated, “Library Research Week plays a vital role in recognising the library's critical role in the University's research ecosystem."
A Powerful Opening Keynote
The 2024 Templeton Prize awardee, Professor Gobodo-Madikizela opened her keynote by noting her close collaboration with the Library during Orientation Week and expressing appreciation for being part of Library Research Week. Her work, she shared, is grounded in encounters—a central theme across her publications on trauma, empathy, intersubjectivity, forgiveness, and historical memory.
Drawing from personal stories, including a moment in 2020 when she was the target of a racist slur, followed by affirming encounters with others, she explored how identity is often shaped by the perceptions of others. “So often, we behave as others call us," she reflected. “But the refusal is always available to us—to claim who we truly are, not what others decide for us."
She is currently developing a scholarly paper that uses these everyday encounters as a framework for knowledge production, challenging traditional academic boundaries.
In closing, she offered a powerful statement pointing out that “The failure to recognise humanity at all—is evil. As embodied beings, we are exposed to others. And while this allows for connection and desire, it also raises the potential for cruelty. It is within this space that our work, our research, and our humanity must reside."
During the Week, other sessions focussed on conducting research with a decoloniality lense, evidence-based synthesis, AI tools for research and writing, reference management, research data management, open science and many more. The programme closed on Friday with a focus on “Researchers as Human Beings", exploring themes of well-being, social impact, and collective care in academia. The story of Dr Jason Samuels, CEO of GreenX Engineering, was particularly inspiring. He shared about how his PhD research led to an entrepreneurial start-up under the aegis of Innovus, the company that supports SU staff and students to identify, protect, manage and commercialise their inventions and intellectual property for the benefit of society. Dr Samuels' venture seeks to transform schools into energy hubs for community upliftment, a practical demonstration of research translated into impact.
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more details on the launch, click on:
Library Research Week opening challenges traditional academic paradigms
Sakhile Mngomezulu and Theresa Schoeman
