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Papers by Ruth Searle

Research paper thumbnail of The supervisor’s tale: postgraduate supervisors’ experiences in a changing Higher Education environment

Research paper thumbnail of Research as Transformation and Transfromation as Research

The authors explore the transformational process of supervisors and postgraduate students through... more The authors explore the transformational process of supervisors and postgraduate students through five research projects using activity theory. The projects were funded by the DHET and endorsed by HELTASA and CHE

Research paper thumbnail of Master of Public Health programmes in South Africa: issues and challenges

Public Health Reviews, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of A balancing act: facilitating a University Education Induction Programme for (early career) academics

Studies in Higher Education, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Globalisation, higher education restructuring and women in leadership: opportunities or threats?

In this article we explore how processes of globalisation and restructuring higher education (HE)... more In this article we explore how processes of globalisation and restructuring higher education (HE) appear to be impacting on the work of women in leadership and gender equity in HE in South Africa today. We also aim to problematise the apparent effects of the complex interrelationship between globalization (corporatisation—managerialism and marketisation), HE reform and gender equity. Globalisation is perceived as

Research paper thumbnail of I won't be squeezed into someone else's frame': stories of supervisor selection

Acta Academica, 2010

Abstract: Using a collection of stories from a group of women who belong to a PhD support group, ... more Abstract: Using a collection of stories from a group of women who belong to a PhD support group, this article tracks the issue of choosing a supervisor. These women are all academics and therefore had some claim to an “insider” status but as novice researchers they were ...

Research paper thumbnail of The supervisor’s tale: postgraduate supervisors’ experiences in a changing Higher Education environment

Research paper thumbnail of Understanding student early departure from a Master of Public Health programme in South Africa

African Journal of Health Professions Education, 2017

Background. Student departure from university without completing a qualification is a major conce... more Background. Student departure from university without completing a qualification is a major concern in higher education. Higher Education South Africa reported that in undergraduate studies, 35% of students depart after the first year and only 15% of students who enrol complete their degree within the minimum permissible time. At postgraduate level, the departure from Masters programmes in South Africa (SA) ranged from 30% to 67% in 2010. Early departure refers to students who leave an academic programme within the first semester of commencing their studies. At one SA university, there were a total of 109 first-time Master of Public Health (MPH) student registrations in 2013 and 2014. By the end of the first semester in the respective years, a total of 27 students actively deregistered from the programme and 11 students did not sit the first-semester examinations, representing an aggregate 35% rate of early departure. The factors associated with early departure at the University of KwaZulu-Natal are not well understood. Objective. To understand factors associated with early departure in the MPH programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Method. A mixed-methods design was implemented. Students who departed within the first semester of commencing the MPH programme in 2013/2014 were followed up. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Results. Failure to balance work and academic obligations with poor time management, stress and academic demands related to the programme, and insufficient academic progress were found to be associated with student early departure from the MPH programme. Conclusion. Student early departure from the MPH programme was influenced by multifaceted factors. Senior students can mentor new students as early as possible in their programme. The orientation block should include development activities such as time management, stress management and effective study skills to assist mature students to cope with the demands of part-time postgraduate studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Alternative Teaching Strategies

New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 1997

Alternative and more effective teaching strategies are examined in the context of broad changes o... more Alternative and more effective teaching strategies are examined in the context of broad changes occurring in South African higher education.

Research paper thumbnail of Harrison, E., McKenna, S. and Searle, R. (2010) ‘ “I won’t be squeezed into someone else’s frame”: narratives of supervisor selection’ Acta Academica

Research paper thumbnail of Many faceted, varied and intriguing: factors influencing a disciplinary learning environment and the issues they raise for course and curriculum design

Society in Transition, 1999

There are many influences which affect student learning. As teachers we are often most conscious ... more There are many influences which affect student learning. As teachers we are often most conscious of the immediate features within the learning environment such as teaching materials, interactions, assessment and diversity. Whilst we are aware of other factors we seldom explore them in any depth. Moos maintains:‘…the influences of other life contexts such as work and the family, carry over

Research paper thumbnail of Policy discourses about teaching excellence in a transforming South Africa Introduction: the South African policy context

Research paper thumbnail of Searle, R. and McKenna, S. (2007) ‘Policy discourses about teaching excellence in a transforming South Africa’ International Perspectives on Teaching Excellence in Higher Education (Skelton, A: Editor) London: Routledge

Research paper thumbnail of Policy discourses about teaching excellence in a transforming South Africa

Research paper thumbnail of An educational programme for error awareness in acute trauma for junior doctors

African Journal of Health Professions Education, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of The supervisor’s tale: postgraduate supervisors’ experiences in a changing Higher Education environment

Research paper thumbnail of Research as Transformation and Transfromation as Research

The authors explore the transformational process of supervisors and postgraduate students through... more The authors explore the transformational process of supervisors and postgraduate students through five research projects using activity theory. The projects were funded by the DHET and endorsed by HELTASA and CHE

Research paper thumbnail of Master of Public Health programmes in South Africa: issues and challenges

Public Health Reviews, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of A balancing act: facilitating a University Education Induction Programme for (early career) academics

Studies in Higher Education, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Globalisation, higher education restructuring and women in leadership: opportunities or threats?

In this article we explore how processes of globalisation and restructuring higher education (HE)... more In this article we explore how processes of globalisation and restructuring higher education (HE) appear to be impacting on the work of women in leadership and gender equity in HE in South Africa today. We also aim to problematise the apparent effects of the complex interrelationship between globalization (corporatisation—managerialism and marketisation), HE reform and gender equity. Globalisation is perceived as

Research paper thumbnail of I won't be squeezed into someone else's frame': stories of supervisor selection

Acta Academica, 2010

Abstract: Using a collection of stories from a group of women who belong to a PhD support group, ... more Abstract: Using a collection of stories from a group of women who belong to a PhD support group, this article tracks the issue of choosing a supervisor. These women are all academics and therefore had some claim to an “insider” status but as novice researchers they were ...

Research paper thumbnail of The supervisor’s tale: postgraduate supervisors’ experiences in a changing Higher Education environment

Research paper thumbnail of Understanding student early departure from a Master of Public Health programme in South Africa

African Journal of Health Professions Education, 2017

Background. Student departure from university without completing a qualification is a major conce... more Background. Student departure from university without completing a qualification is a major concern in higher education. Higher Education South Africa reported that in undergraduate studies, 35% of students depart after the first year and only 15% of students who enrol complete their degree within the minimum permissible time. At postgraduate level, the departure from Masters programmes in South Africa (SA) ranged from 30% to 67% in 2010. Early departure refers to students who leave an academic programme within the first semester of commencing their studies. At one SA university, there were a total of 109 first-time Master of Public Health (MPH) student registrations in 2013 and 2014. By the end of the first semester in the respective years, a total of 27 students actively deregistered from the programme and 11 students did not sit the first-semester examinations, representing an aggregate 35% rate of early departure. The factors associated with early departure at the University of KwaZulu-Natal are not well understood. Objective. To understand factors associated with early departure in the MPH programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Method. A mixed-methods design was implemented. Students who departed within the first semester of commencing the MPH programme in 2013/2014 were followed up. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Results. Failure to balance work and academic obligations with poor time management, stress and academic demands related to the programme, and insufficient academic progress were found to be associated with student early departure from the MPH programme. Conclusion. Student early departure from the MPH programme was influenced by multifaceted factors. Senior students can mentor new students as early as possible in their programme. The orientation block should include development activities such as time management, stress management and effective study skills to assist mature students to cope with the demands of part-time postgraduate studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Alternative Teaching Strategies

New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 1997

Alternative and more effective teaching strategies are examined in the context of broad changes o... more Alternative and more effective teaching strategies are examined in the context of broad changes occurring in South African higher education.

Research paper thumbnail of Harrison, E., McKenna, S. and Searle, R. (2010) ‘ “I won’t be squeezed into someone else’s frame”: narratives of supervisor selection’ Acta Academica

Research paper thumbnail of Many faceted, varied and intriguing: factors influencing a disciplinary learning environment and the issues they raise for course and curriculum design

Society in Transition, 1999

There are many influences which affect student learning. As teachers we are often most conscious ... more There are many influences which affect student learning. As teachers we are often most conscious of the immediate features within the learning environment such as teaching materials, interactions, assessment and diversity. Whilst we are aware of other factors we seldom explore them in any depth. Moos maintains:‘…the influences of other life contexts such as work and the family, carry over

Research paper thumbnail of Policy discourses about teaching excellence in a transforming South Africa Introduction: the South African policy context

Research paper thumbnail of Searle, R. and McKenna, S. (2007) ‘Policy discourses about teaching excellence in a transforming South Africa’ International Perspectives on Teaching Excellence in Higher Education (Skelton, A: Editor) London: Routledge

Research paper thumbnail of Policy discourses about teaching excellence in a transforming South Africa

Research paper thumbnail of An educational programme for error awareness in acute trauma for junior doctors

African Journal of Health Professions Education, 2014

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