The Academic Citizen
Episodes
74. Everything Is Connected
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this final episode of the season, we focus on the intricate web that connects life on our planet. We zoom out to hear about how Marion Island is a ...
73. Swimming, Blowing, Glowing
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The ocean surrounding Marion Island is a breathing wilderness - a vast and mysterious realm where familiar giants coexist with tiny creatures that emi...
72. Antenna, Fur, Feathers
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marion Island may be thousands of kilometres from the South African mainland, but it buzzes with activity: tiny, and large fluttering, crawling, nesti...
71. A Ship, An Island
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With only five days’ notice, Mehita was thrown into a whirlwind of preparation: rushing between medical clearances, work arrangements, and the essen...
70. Music As Science
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you combine science with electrifying and nostalgic sonic experimentation? In this episode, we explore the ideal fusion of music and...
69. Reclaim The Ground
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Humans need to re-establish our connection with the Earth. In this episode, we explore the role of sound in helping us understand how waste has impact...
68. Imiphindo kwaXhosa
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Similar to spoken and written language, clothing conveys important symbolic meaning and serves as a creative space for preserving daily traditions. In...
67. Nature Soundscapes
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The sounds of nature can offer a unique listening experience and make us aware of our spaces and the species that exist. In this episode, we head deep...
66. The Museum Of Portable Sound
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When we think of museums, we often envision a traditional building with objects and artefacts. In this episode, we challenge this notion with Dr. John...
65. Historical Soundscapes
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Listening is dynamic, especially in recreating historical places. In this episode, we explore Willow Road in Fairview, Gqeberha with musician and soun...
64. Listening For Emotions
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we take a journey through time to explore radio archives from the colonial era. Presented by Luc Marraffa, a PhD candidate at the Ams...
63. NASA Sonifications
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On the premiere episode of Season 7, listeners are treated to an interstellar auditory experience in the form of an audio postcard. Narrated by Sarah ...
Sound Matters Virtual Symposium - Call for Participation
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you interested in, passionate about or working on the possibilities of using audio to create, shape, and distribute scientific and academic resear...
Commission & Collaborate With Us!
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you an academic, researcher or institution or department of higher education? Do you want to make a podcast to share your research with the world?...
62. Journeys
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore three ways of understanding journeys from movement as knowledge with A/Professor Harmony Signaporia, to the ethics of flyi...
61. Failure
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Being delayed is not being denied. In this episode, we explore the choppy waters of what it means to be success? with Adv Thato Toeba, who or what det...
60. Breathing
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Breath is life. In this episode, our academic citizens explore how breathing helps our mental and physical well-being with Dr. Ela Manga and the advoc...
59. Ancestors
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The past informs the present while the past and the present inform the future. In this episode, our academic citizens help us trace the importance of ...
58. Blue
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The deep colour blue: often associated with vastness, the fear of the unknown yet calming, enduring and complete. Continuing from the last episode whe...
57. Green
03 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As universities grapple with what it means to take seriously the imperative to green our campuses and research practice, this episode explodes the col...
56. Money
03 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the complexities that arise when considering the financial status of our universities and the higher education sector in general...
55. Comebacks
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Animating the Post-Pandemic Academic Experience “You cannot come back to the same thing. You can’t step into the same river twice.” ...
54: New Universities
31 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Carina Truyts is part of the pioneers at South Africa’s newest university, Sol Plaatje University in Kimberly. She has established the Anthropology ...
53: Decolonizing Science
18 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
53: Decolonizing Science by The Academic Citizen
52: Politics of Academic Publishing
11 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Writing for academic journals is highly competitive. The common saying in academic circles is, “get published or perish!” There’s no simple for...
51: Mental Wellness in Academia
27 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In the Netherlands, a study revealed that 1 in 3 academics suffer from mental health disorder. This then begs the question if the same applies to Acad...
50: Young People and HIV Research Discourse
20 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Beth Vale is a researcher at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection. She is a Mandela Rhodes and a Rhodes Scholar. Dr. Vale was a postd...
49: In Conversation With SA's Youngest Dean
13 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
49: In Conversation With SA's Youngest Dean by The Academic Citizen
48: Bullying In Academia
30 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Academic bullying is a prevalent but unexplored phenomenon in South Africa. In this week’s episode, Kholeka Shange and Dr Colett Gordon discuss how ...
47 Public Intellectuals
23 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
47 Public Intellectuals by The Academic Citizen
Welcome Back - Season 2
16 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Academic Citizen team is back and refreshed from the semester break. In this episode Dr Nosipho Mngomezulu introduces new cohost, Kholeka Belinda ...
45: Season 1 Roundup
05 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Academic Citizen this year, since its relaunch in March 2017 has produced 14 episodes. In this episode, Prof Mehita Iqani and Dr Nosipho Mngomezu...
44: Public Intellectuals
28 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Public Intellectuals aim to help societies to better understand themselves and the world around them. Their writing and public talks can help create a...
43: Economic Inequality & Pay
21 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Most universities are at the forefront of denouncing social injustices and inequality yet, in 2013 for instance the highest paid chancellor earned an ...
42: The Art of Language
14 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Hleze Kunje wrote his four-year-long PhD thesis in isiXhosa, about Xhosa people who settled in Mbembesi, an area outside of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He ...
41: Africanizing Scientific Research
07 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to decolonise science? How can African knowledge be integrated into scientific research? Does emphasising indigenous knowledge syste...
40: Gender Gap in Institutions of Higher Education
31 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most significant worldwide transformations in education has been the drastic increase in women's access to institutions of higher learning....
39: Cycle-Versities
24 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
South African universities suffer from serious traffic congestion, lack of parking spaces and high pollution levels. Even though many staff and studen...
38: Academic Mentorship in Higher Education
17 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In 2016 the Department of Higher Education released a report which stated that almost half (47.9%) of the students who start university do not finish ...
37: Community-Engaged Scholarship
10 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Are universities stuck in an ivory tower, cut off from day to day reality? In this episode, Prof Mehita Iqani discusses how research should and could ...
36: Online Learning in Higher Education
03 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Online learning takes the form of a virtual classroom in which students from across the globe can watch, listen to a lecture at a time convenient to t...
35: Student Resistance in India
26 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
35: Student Resistance in India by The Academic Citizen
#34: Women in Science
19 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Women scientists have a critical role to play in Africa’s development. They have made significant strides in Science making incredible progress acro...
33: Universities And Medical Aids
12 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Despite policy initiatives aimed at structuring affordable low cost health care funding products, medical schemes have remained unaffordable, and ther...
32: The Intellectualization of African Languages
05 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
African scholarship wears a linguistic mask, making it invisible to the majority in Africa, accessible only to those with keys manufactured in Europe”...
31: Disseminating Research
29 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Many people are of the view that academics only write for academics. They conduct and carry out research into complicated issues where the findings of...
30: Queering Universities
09 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of The Academic Citizen for 2016, Dr Mary Hames joins us to discuss issues of gender and sexuality within spaces of higher learni...
29: Decarbonising Universities
02 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Vishwas Satgar discusses the importance of increasing awareness about environmental issues and transforming energy and renewable energy policy. ...
28: Plagiarism and Pedagogy
26 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Roger Davis from Red Deer College joins The Academic Citizen to discuss plagiarism and its impact on pedagogy. The problem of plagiarism is complic...
27: Policing Protest
19 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Jane Duncan of the University of Johannesburg, discusses the various ways in which protest has been 'policed' at university campuses around ...
26: Why Basic Education Matters
12 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Parliamentary Liaison Officer for Equal Education, Andile Cele, joins The Academic Citizen to highlight the importance of primary and secondary educat...
25: Protest - A View From UKZN
05 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Lubna Nadvi shares some insight into the #FeesMustFall student protests at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN). Speaking from Howard College ca...
24: Wits SRC Speaks
30 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In our special episode for this week, the incoming President of the Student Representative Council, Kefentse Mkhari, joins the podcast to discuss the ...
23: Academic Freedom in Turkey
28 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Serdar Değirmencioğlu joins The Academic Citizen to provide some insight into the state of higher education in Turkey. This conversation follow...
22: The Commission of Inquiry into HE
21 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Hlonipha Mokoena joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the fees and funding debates regarding higher education in South Africa. Mokoena expl...
21: Virtual Learning in Uganda
14 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Deirdre Carabine joins the podcast to introduce the Virtual University of Uganda (VUU), Africa's first fully-functional online education pla...
20: Tensions At British Universities
07 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
n this week's episode, Goldsmiths College Professor Natalie Fenton joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the state of higher education in the United K...
19: Precarious Postdocs
31 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sadhna Mathura and Dr Jacobus Diener join The Academic Citizen to discuss concerns of postdoctoral researchers in South Africa. They are represent...
18: Global University Rankings
24 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The Editor of Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Phil Baty, joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the importance of global university r...
17: Doctoral Degrees and Developing Economies
17 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Sioux McKenna joins the podcast to explain the importance of doctoral degrees in solving social and economic issues in developing societies....
16: On African Philosophy
10 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Dr Oritsegbubemi Oyowe discusses the role of African Philosophy in advancing knowledge. He argues that African culture and int...
15: The Politics Of Language in HE
27 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Nomalanga Mkhize joins The Academic Citizen to think through the role of multiple languages in higher education. We explore how language shapes mea...
14: HE And Unemployment - A View From Nigeria
20 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Misan Rewane, the Director of Lagos-based organisation, West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), joins this week's episode. We reflect on higher educa...
13: Student Politics Now
13 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Cape Town, Rorisang Moseli, addresses the state of student politics in ...
12: The State Of Higher Education in India
06 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the state of higher education in India. Professor Dilip Menon explains how the rise of Hindu nationalism and the adoption of neoliberal values...
11: The Black Academic Caucus at UCT
29 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of The Academic Citizen, Dr Shose Kessi introduces the Black Academic Caucus, which is based at the University of Cape Town, ...
10: Why Universities Need Fees Income
15 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
As discussed in previous episodes, fees have become a major issue for universities in South Africa and beyond. Gerald Wangenge-Ouma joins The Academic...
9: Gender Equity in Universities
08 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Gender-based violence is an issue on all university campuses, as multiple rape allegations at various universities and the #RUReferenceList have shown...
8: The Challenges of Transformation
01 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, The Academic Citizen explores the topic of transformation in South Africa. The show's guest, Nazeema Mohamed, outlines the nec...
7: The Importance of Academic Staff Unions
25 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Academic Staff play an important role in universities. They teach students, research phenomena and help develop the status quo within the institutions...
6: Protest Action on University Campuses
18 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Prishani Naidoo joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the politics of protest action within the context of university campuses in South Africa. The...
5: The Marketisation of Higher Education
12 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Resources, competition, quality: these are some of the concerns behind the increasing capitalisation within societies, not only in South Africa, but t...
4: Issues of University Governance
04 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Shireen Hassim joins The Academic Citizen to discuss various issues relating to university governance - including accountability, ...
3: Is Fee-Free Education Possible?
27 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The #FeesMustFall movement has ushered calls for transformation within higher education in South Africa, with fee-free education at the forefront. Dic...
2: One Student Explains Why #FeesMustFall
20 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
The #FeesMustFall movement that emerged in October 2015 has changed the face of student participation within spaces of higher education, with protests...
1: Higher Education During Apartheid
13 Apr 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Let's explore the historical background to fees-payable higher education in South Africa. We talk to Leigh-Ann Naidoo about the distribution of resour...