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The Academic CitizenAn independent podcast about critical issues in h Author: The Academic Citizen
An independent podcast about critical issues in higher education. All episodes are free to download and share. ------ An academic citizen is anyone who is part of the higher education community. They are engaged in pedagogy or research or both, and are committed to furthering knowledge, education and the advancement of society from their disciplinary position. An academic citizen sees their work in higher education as a public project, both in terms of being partially funded by taxpayer money, and in terms of the contributions they wish to make to the world around them. Although citizenship implies an exclusive form of belonging, here we use it to signal the role of academic work in collective life in a non-exclusionary way, and to anchor it in a public project to which all humanity belongs. We create knowledge not only for our individual benefit but for the benefit of all. The Academic Citizen is an independent podcast series produced and funded in its second iteration by the South African Research Chair in Science Communication in 2022. It was originally supported by the Academic Staff Association of Wits University (ASAWU) when it was first established in 2016. Language: en Genres: Education Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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74. Everything Is Connected
Thursday, 27 November, 2025
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 location for space science, and then zoom in to learn how SA Agulhas II and Marion Island serve as extraordinary training grounds for the next generation of scientists. Young researchers learn technical skills of their fields and also how to observe, question, and collaborate in environments that demand accuracy and humility. South African research plays a crucial role in the global community of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic science. It provides an essential piece of the puzzle in understanding how ecosystems across the globe are interconnected. What happens in this isolated archipelago ripples outward, informing our knowledge of climate, biodiversity, and the delicate balance that sustains life. This episode invites listeners to explore how scientific knowledge, cultural understanding, and lived experience come together in the pursuit of discovery. And perhaps the most powerful insight from the Marion 2025 voyage is that every scientist spoken to views their work not as an individual effort, but as part of an intergenerational project. It is a testament to the episode's theme: everything is connected. It has been an absolute pleasure to work on this season and to share the journey to Marion Island. We extend our gratitude to Prof. Charne Lavery and Prof. Jean Brundrit for conceptualising and leading the SANAP Artists and Writers Programme, and for the valuable access, experiences, and insights this initiative has provided. We also like to thank all the guests who agreed to be interviewed for this season. We thank the following guests on this episode: -Mr Marcel van der Berg, Dr Azwianewu Makhado, Mr Mutshutshu Tsanwani, Dr Zimkhita Gebe, Dr Thato Mtshali from the Department of Forest, Fisheries and Environment. -Ms Eleanor Weideman from the South African Polar Research Institute. -Prof. Michael Kosch from the South African National Space Agency. -Ms Sarah du Preez and Ms Emma Swanepoel from the University of Cape Town -Prof. Guillaume Delpech from the Universite’ Paris Saclay. For more information on the work discussed in this episode, visit: -Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment: www.dffe.gov.za/antarctica-and-so…rn-oceans-islands -South African National Antarctic Programme: www.sanap.ac.za/ -South African Polar Research Infrastructure: www.sapri.ac.za/ -South African National Space Agency: https://www.sansa.org.za/ -Marine Information Management System: https://ocims.environment.gov.za/DataResources.html This season is funded by the NRF-South African Research Chair in Science Communication, located within the Centre for Science Communication at Stellenbosch University. Prof Mehita Iqani is the Chairholder. | www.imidibaniso.co.za
