5 questions with Floretta Boonzaier

Floretta Boonzaier, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at UCT, is driven by a belief that research has the ability to make a difference. Her research spans feminist, critical and postcolonial psychologies, as well as subjectivity – especially in relation to race, gender and sexuality and gendered violence.

1. Could you give us a snapshot of your research?

2. Why are you passionate about this area of research?

My research allows me to work against representations on violence and marginalised people, representations that include me, as a black woman from a working-class background.
 

My research allows me to work against representations on violence and marginalised people, representations that include me, as a black woman from a working-class background.

3. What is the most enjoyable part of doing research?

I especially enjoy doing research that provides the opportunity for collaboration. Research and writing can be a lonely endeavour, so the opportunity to engage with others in your field can be hugely enriching and my experience suggests that it advances innovative, creative and novel scholarship.

I especially enjoy opening collaborative spaces through supervision of master’s and doctoral students and have often learned more from the students I supervise rather than the other way around.
 

I especially enjoy opening collaborative spaces through supervision of master’s and doctoral students and have often learned more from the students I supervise rather than the other way around.

4. What has been the practical impact of your research?

Ending men’s violence toward women is a key concern, not only for women’s well-being, but for the well-being of society as a whole. South Africa is notorious for its excessively high levels of gendered violence. My work has made practical recommendations for ending men’s violence and contributing to gender equity that have been taken up by a number of organisations.

5. Do you have any advice for young, future psychology researchers?

Pursue research interests that drive and sustain your passions – but also look around you and consider the contexts in which you work and what your work might be doing at the level of ethics, politics and representation.

It is important to think critically and to reflect on the ethical and political impact of your research – regardless of the ‘kind’ of psychology you end up doing. The contexts in which we work as researchers and psychologists – that involve deepening global and local inequalities, growing legitimised and institutionalised forms of racism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and increasing poverty and dispossession – demand that we think carefully about how or whether our work advances social justice.

This story was published in the inaugural issue of Umthombo, a magazine featuring research stories from across the university. 

Umthombo is the isiXhosa word for a natural spring of water or fountain. The most notable features of a fountain are its natural occurrence and limitlessness. Umthombo as a name positions the University of Cape Town, and this publication in particular, as an undepletable well of knowledge.

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