Research Projects for PhD/ MA Students 2022 - 2025 (Supervisor: Prof Juan A Nel)

In the capacity as a member of Council of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) and the Executive of its Sexuality and Gender Division, I serve as project leader, co-researcher and student supervisor of this project. A further funding application to, among others, the Arcus Foundation is currently underway for an additional three years, that is, till 2025.  

The project aims to position PsySSA as regional hub towards the promotion of the well-being and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI)+ persons on the African continent by: 

1) Supporting its work to promote the integration of psychological knowledge into the sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) human rights movement within South Africa and serve as the centre of a regional network of psychological organisations and individual psychologists in Africa working in support of LGBTI+ human rights; 

2) Developing and disseminating resources to increase the capacity of health service professionals to provide affirmative services to LGBTI+ individuals and communities; and 

3) Publishing and revising practice guidelines or other guidance for working with LGBTI+ people.  

In addition, this project aims to: 

• Develop a UNISA/ PsySSA post-graduate psychological course in African perspectives on sexuality and gender. The focus of the envisioned course will be on sexuality and gender, inclusive of sexual and gender diversities, and specifically on the various roles of psychology within the field of sexology 

• Develop detailed programming and planning meetings to bring together psychology professionals and psychological associations, in particular from Africa, in the International Congress of Psychology (ICP) and Annual National Psychology Congress, hosted by PsySSA and others 

• Ensure the growth and sustainability of the Sexuality and Gender Division of PsySSA 

• Develop and subsequent revision of African psychological guidelines for sexual and gender diversity-affirmative practice 

• Produce position statements to ensure that the rights of LGBTI persons in Africa are observed. 

See: 

Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA). (Authored by Victor, C.J., Nel, J.A., McLachlan, C., Pillay, S.R., Van Dyk, D. & Theron, L.). 2017. Practice Guidelines for Psychology Professionals Working With Sexually and Gender-Diverse People. Johannesburg: Psychological Society of South Africa. 

Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) (Authored by Victor, C.J., Nel, J.A.; Lynch. I.; et.al.). 2013. Sexual and gender diversity position statement. Retrieved from http://www.psyssa.com. 

In addition to furthering our work in establishing and strengthening affirmative practices, internationally, in working with the sexually and gender-diverse, the initiative also spearheaded a pilot training curriculum in 2019/20 towards related continuous professional development (CPD) for healthcare providers. The main purpose of the initiative and related trainings, is to ‘increase psychological knowledge of human diversity in sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, and sex characteristics’ with the intent to raise more awareness among the targeted group of professionals. The Department of Social Development (Gauteng)/ Psychological Society of South Africa (2020-2021) funded and UNISA provided ethics approval in 2020 for the research project, Determining the efficacy of PsySSA’s LGBTIQA+ sensitisation training among a cohort of social workers. A related academic output for publishing in 2022, informed by the pilot training programme (predominantly quality assistance measures built into the workshops), will assist in shaping the final curriculum. 

Koch, J, Chiao, H., & Nel, J.A. 2020. Preparing future generations: Critical considerations and best practices in training psychologists about the human rights of sexually and gender-diverse people and communities. In Rubin, N.S. & Flores, R.L (Eds). Cambridge Handbook of Psychology and Human Rights. Cambridge: Cambridge University press.  

Moreno, A. Ardila, R, Zervoulis, K., Nel, J.A., Light, E. & Chamberland, L. 2020. Cross-cultural perspectives of LGBTQ Psychology from five different countries: current state and recommendations. Preaching to the Choir Special Issue. Psychology and Sexuality. 11(1), 5-31, https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2019.1658125. 

McLachlan, C, Nel, J.A., Pillay, S.R. & Victor, C.J. 2019. The Psychological Society of South Africa’s guidelines for psychology professionals working with sexually and gender-diverse people: Towards inclusive and affirmative practice. South African Journal of Psychology, 49(3) 314–324. https://doi.org/10.1177/0081246319853423.  

Horne, S., Maroney, M., Nel, J.A., Chaparro, R.A. & Manalastas, E.J. 2019. Transgressing normativities: Transnational LGBTI psychology engagement in advocacy and activism. American Psychologist, 74(8), 967–986. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/amp0000561.  

Pillay, S.R., Nel, J.A., McLachlan, C. & Victor, C.J. 2019. Queering the history of South African psychology: From apartheid to LGBTI+ affirmative practices. American Psychologist, 74(8), 954–966. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000557.  

Victor, C.J. & Nel, J.A. 2017. Developing an affirmative position statement on sexual and gender diversity for psychology professionals in South Africa. Psychology in Russia: State of the Art, 10(2), 87-102. DOI: 10.11621/pir.2017.0206. 

Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). 2015. Diversity in Human Sexuality: Implications for policy in Africa. Consensus study report (May). ISBN Number: 978-0-9922286-9-9. Pretoria: ASSAf. 

Nel, J.A. 2014. Editorial: South African Psychology can and should provide leadership in advancing understanding of sexual and gender diversity on the African continent. South African Journal of Psychology, 44(2), 145-148. DOI: 10.1177/0081246314530834. 

Victor, C.J.; Nel, J.A., Lynch, I. & Mbatha, K. 2014. The Psychological Society of South Africa sexual and gender diversity position statement: Contributing towards a just society. South African Journal of Psychology: Special 20th Anniversary Edition, 44(3), 292-302. DOI: 10.1177/0081246314533635. 

Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods 

Examples of possible M & D topics 

1. Strengthening an affirmative approach to sexuality and gender diversity in Africa 

2. Enhancing scientifically grounded, evidence-based knowledge to inform (South) African Psychological Guidelines for LGBTI+-Affirmative Practice 

3. Towards the inclusion of sexology in the Unisa MA Clinical Psychology curriculum 

4. Developing a curriculum for an African postgraduate course in the psychology of sexuality and gender 

5. Core competencies for sexologists in (South) Africa 

Ideally PhD candidates 

Prof Juan A Nel (nelja@unisa.ac.za)  

The UNISA Department of Psychology is a founder member of the Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG), a multi-sector workgroup that was established in late 2009 with the common goal of lobbying for interventions to address hate crimes in South Africa. Guided by the objective of contributing to the full enactment of the Hate Crimes Act once legislated, the UNISA Department of Psychology, in 2010, initiated a project aimed at strengthening the advocacy efforts of the HCWG. The Hate and Bias Crimes Monitoring Project, which aims to determine and describe the nature and extent of hate victimisation in South Africa, is managed by the research sub-committee of the HCWG, led by the UNISA Department of Psychology with me as project leader, co-researcher and supervisor, and supported by local and international experts. The HCWG Hate & Bias Crime Monitoring Form and its accompanying User Guide is a rigorous research instrument developed by the research sub-committee, in consultation with the member organisations of the HCWG, and piloted across sectors and in different settings before its finalisation. The Monitoring Form was utilised by the HCWG, acting under the auspices of ethical clearance obtained from UNISA, in partnership with key CSOs in five provinces (Eastern Cape/ Gauteng/ KwaZulu-Natal/ Limpopo/ Western Cape) to provide a baseline record for a five year longitudinal study (2013 – 2017).  

Subject to securing further funding, next steps include the:  

See:  

Mitchell, Y., & Nel, J. A. 2017. The Hate and Bias Crimes Monitoring Form Project: January 2013 to September 2017. Johannesburg: The Hate Crimes Working Group. DOI 10.13140/RG.2.2.28619.08480.  

Nel, J.A., van Wyk, H. & Mbatha, K. 2013. User guide: Hate & Bias Crime Monitoring Form. Johannesburg: Hate Crimes Working Group. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.4548.2563. 

Nel, J.A. & Mitchell, Y. 2019. Victims of Hate crime. In Peacock, R. (Ed.) Victimology in Africa. Third edition. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik.  

Breen, D.; Lynch, I.; Nel, J.A. & Matthews, I. 2016. Hate crime in transitional societies: the case of South Africa. In Schweppe, J. & Walters, M.A. (Eds). The Globalisation of Hate: Internationalizing hate crime? United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. 

Nel, J.A. & Breen, D. 2013. Victims of Hate crime. In Peacock, R. (Ed.) Victimology in South Africa. Second edition. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik. 

Marais, A., Nel, J.A., & Govender, R. 2021. Emotional consequences of hate incidents: experiences of a South African cohort. South African Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/0081246320985343. 

Pieterse, T., Stratford, V. & Nel, J.A. 2018. Relationship between symbolic violence and overt violence in hate incidents in South Africa. Special edition of African Safety Promotion 16(2), 31-43.   

Judge, M. & Nel, J.A. 2018. Editorial: Psychology and hate speech: a critical and restorative encounter. South African Journal of Psychology, 48(1), 15-20. DOI: 10.1177/0081246317728165. 

Breen, D. & Nel, J.A. 2011. South Africa – A home for all? A need for hate crime legislation to provide equal protection. South African Crime Quarterly, 38, December, 33-43. 

Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods 

Examples of possible M & D topics 

1. Strengthening interventions aimed at minimising the psychosocial impact of hate victimisation in South Africa 

2. Understanding the psychological factors contributing to hate victimisation in South Africa 

3. Developing a medico-psychosocial services intake form for related civil society organisations 

Ideally PhD candidates 

Prof Juan A Nel (nelja@unisa.ac.za) 

Community-based civil society service organisations (CSOs) play a vital role in enhancing the well-being and psychological sense of ‘community’ among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) persons. There has been significant collaboration since 1998 between a CSO, OUT LGBT Well-being (OUT), and UNISA resulting in the development of comprehensive programmes for a much marginalised societal group (that is, LGBTI+ persons and communities) and the alignment of several academic and scientific outputs to the needs of this group. Examples include the first quantitative research studies on the experiences of LGBT+ persons in three provinces of South Africa (2002 – 2006); successful completion at UNISA of at least four related theses/ dissertations (2005 – 2012); being at the forefront of securing the right to same-sex marriage (2006); and using a UNISA Strategic Projects Fund and South African Netherlands Project on Alternatives in Development (SANPAD) research process and related findings to establish LGBTI+ services in the North-West province (2010/1).  

The general aim of this funded UNISA Community Engagement project is to consolidate this long-standing relationship between OUT and UNISA in the interest of high quality LGBTI+ research, and related teaching and learning, towards the advancement of LGBTI+ health and well-being through evidence informed and sustainable community-based services, developing a body of knowledge and policy reforms.  

A book chapter informed by this project will be published in 2021. 

Next steps include to, in addition to the Gauteng-based, OUT LGBT Well-being, also target two other CSOs, one in Western Cape and another in KZN, to serve as community partners in the project. The intention is to have these three organisations serve as practicum placements for future UNISA research psychology interns and/ or BPsych students where they can get exposure to research opportunities and interventions aimed at LGBTI+ health and well-being, as well as intervention in hate victimisation. 

Odendaal, A.J. & Nel, J.A. (In print). Reflections on University of South Africa’s LGBTI+ Community Engagement. In Kiguwa, P, Nduna, M, Mavhandu-Mudzusi, A, Mooketsane, K & Bandawe, C (Eds.) Researching Sexual and Gender Diversities in Institutions of Higher Learning: Reflections from South(ern) Africa. Pretoria: UNISA Press.  

Nel, J.A., Igbafe, E.C. & Marais, A. 2019. Managing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE)-related matters in the South African Workplace. Chapter 9 in Moolman, L. & Carrim, N. (Eds). Diversity Management. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik Publishers.  

Nel, J.A. & Lake. M. 2019. Conditions related to sexual health and paraphilic disorders. In Burke, A. (Ed.) Abnormal Psychology in South Africa. Third edition. Cape Town: Oxford University Press. 

Nel, J.A. 2009. Same-sex sexuality and health: Current Psycho-social Scientific Research in South Africa. In Reddy, V., Sandfort, T., & Rispel, L. (Eds.) Same-sex sexuality, HIV & AIDS and gender in South Africa. Proceedings of an International Conference on Gender, Same-sex sexuality and HIV/ AIDS, 9 – 11 May 2007. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council Press. 

Cook, S.H., Sandfort, T.G.M., Nel, J.A. & Rich, E. 2013. Exploring the relationship between gender nonconformity and mental health among black South African gay and bisexual men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42, 327-330. DOI 10 1007/s 10508-013-0087-2.  

Nel, J.A., Yi, H; Sandfort, T.G.M. & Rich, E. 2013. HIV-Untested Men who have Sex with Men in South Africa: The perception of not being at risk and fear of being tested. AIDS & Behavior Supplement: HIV among men who have sex with men in Southern Africa, 17, 51-59. First published online in 2012: DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0329-4. 

Nel, J.A. & Judge, M. 2008. Exploring homophobic victimisation in Gauteng, South Africa: Issues, impacts and responses. Acta Criminologica, 21(3), 19-36.  

Polders, L.A., Nel, J.A., Kruger, P., & Wells, H. 2008. Factors affecting vulnerability to depression among gay men and lesbian women. South African Journal of Psychology, 38(4). 

Sandfort, T.G.M., Nel, J., Rich, E., Reddy, V. & Yi, H. 2008. HIV testing and self-reported HIV status in South African MSM: Results from a community-based survey. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 84, 425-429. 

Nel, J.A., Rich, E. & Joubert, K. 2007. Lifting the veil: Gay men’s experiences in a therapy group. South African Journal of Psychology, 37(2), 284–306. 

Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods 

Examples of possible M & D topics 

1. Surveillance of use of OUT STI/ HIV Clinic towards up-scaling of related OUT services 

2. Good Practice models in Community Engagement addressing the needs of LGBTI+ South Africans 

3. Mapping psychosocial services for the most-at-risk populations (MARPs), including LGBTI+ persons, sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), and injecting drug-users, who bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic. 

4. Profiling of OUT service users in various categories such as, MSM; HIV + clients on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART); different Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) client populations; and uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as a new OUT service offering. 

5. Treatment- related dropout rates of OUT service users. 

Ideally PhD candidates 

Prof Juan A Nel (nelja@unisa.ac.za)