Staff


Head Of Department
Charlie Shackleton - Full Professor
 

Academic staff
James Gambiza – Senior Lecturer
Sheona Shackleton – Senior Lecturer
Fred Ellery – Associate Professor

Gladman Thondhlana - Lecturer

Technical and administrative staff
 Zelda Kirstein – Departmental Administrator
Kathy Cassidy – Senior Technical Officer

Research Associates

Georgina Cundill

Andrew Knight


Prof Charlie Shackleton
Full Professor & Head of Dept
PhD (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa), 1993-1997 (part-time)
MSc (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa), 1986-1989 (part-time)
BSc (Hons) (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa), 1983 (full-time)
BSc (University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa), 1980-1982 (full-time)


 Employment Record


Dept of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown
Professor (01/07/09 – date)

Professor & Head of Dept (01/01/08 to 31/06/09)
Associate Professor & Head of Dept (01/01/04 to 31/12/07)
Associate Professor, Dept of Enviro Science (01/01/2003 to 31/12/2003)
Senior Lecturer, Dept of Enviro Science (1/06/2000 to 21/12/2002)

Environmentek, Council for Scientific & Industrial Research, Pretoria
Research Ecologist & Business Area Manager (Ecosystems Management Group) (01/03/98 to 31/05/2000)

Centre for African Ecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Klaserie
Programme Co-ordinator (Resource Conservation & Rural Development Programme) (01/10/96 to 28/02/98)

Dept of Environmental Affairs, Mpumalanga Province, Nelspruit
Deputy Director: Human Living Environment (01/10/95 to 30/09/96)

Wits Rural Facility (Klaserie)
Acting Deputy Director: Academic (01/01/91 to 30/09/95)
Lecturer (01/10/89 to 31/12/90)

University of Transkei, Umtata
Junior Lecturer, Dept of Botany (01/02/84 to 30/06/89)

 

Teaching
At a postgraduate level, I have supervised 8 PhD, 34 MSc and 34 Honours students (details available on request). I am the coordinator of the Honours programme and the Environmental Science 202 course, and currently teach two Honours modules (biodiversity, non-timber forest products and rural livelihoods; urban forestry and greening), At third level I teach two components; modes of environmentalism and local level environmental planning). Second year modules include biodiversity as an issue of global environmental concern and economics for resource valuation.
 

Fields of Expertise
With twenty-six years experience I have broad generic ecological and environmental skills particularly pertaining to grassland and woodland / savanna environments, communal areas and management, resource valuation, rural livelihoods, woodland productivity, agroforestry, and ecological sampling. Key expertise areas include:
• Natural resource use and sustainability, particularly with respect to Non-timber Forest Products
• Supply and demand models for natural resources, including fuelwood, carving timber, edible plants
• Rural livelihoods and rural development, especially in communal areas

· Urban forestry
• General vegetation ecology
• Productivity and management of savannas and grasslands
• Direct-use value resource valuation
• Sustainability

Publications
• 160 papers (published, in press or submitted) in refereed journals,

· 6 books as editor/co-editor or lead author

· 31 book chapters
• 14 popular articles published
• 59 consultancy or research reports
• 71 conference presentations (52 papers and 19 posters)

Roles & Responsibilities
• Associate editor for the journal Environmental Conservation; member of the editorial board for the journal Journal of Environmental Planning & Management.

· Referee for reviewing articles submitted to 8 South African, and 35 international academic journals.

· External examiner for postgraduate theses at the universities of Cape Town, KwaZulu Natal, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, Charles Darwin (Australia). Witwatersrand and Zimbabwe..
Project appraisal for project proposals and reports for the several funding and research agencies including: Development Bank of southern Africa (DBSA), Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Institute of Natural Resources (INR), National Cultural History Museum, National Research Foundation (NRF), South African-Netherlands Partnership & Development (SANPAD) research fund, The Green Trust.
• Participant on a number of project and policy advisory committees. The more notable ones have been: Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee for the IDT-Thornybush Game Reserve job creation from bush-clearing programme; International Advisory Committee for the multinational research project on Sustainable Adaptive Strategies of Rural Communities, convened by IISD, (Canada); Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Steering Committee of the National Working for Water Programme; Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Multistakeholder Forum overseeing the CONNEPP process in Mpumalanga; Reference Group for the National Forestry Action Plan; WWF Technical Advisory committee on Wild Coast Programme; Technical Advisory Group for the Baviaanskloof Megaconservancy, NRF panel for appraisal of Unitra niche research area in natural resource management; NRF panel on sustainable livelihoods and poverty; Chairperson of the Technical Liaison Committee Albany Working for Water Programme; National advisory group for the National Strategy on Sustainable Development; NRF panel for rating of plant scientists.

 Current Projects
• Trees in urban livelihoods
• The role of non-timber forest products as rural safety nets
• The interface between natural resource use and HIV/AIDS
• The links between woody plant biodiversity and value of natural resources exploited by rural communities
• Food security of rural communities in the face of the synergistic impacts of HIV/AIDS and climate change
• Evaluation and development of environmental policies for the tertiary education sector
• Rehabilitation ecology

Contact Details
Phone: +27-046-603-7001
Fax: +27-046-622-9319
E-mail: c.shackleton@ru.ac.za

Prof Fred Ellery

Associate Professor

Qualifications

BSc University of the Witwatersrand 1979

BSc Hons University of the Witwatersrand 1983 (First class)

MSc University of the Witwatersrand  1988     

PhD University of the Witwatersrand  1993

MSc thesis title: Channel blockage and abandonment in the north-eastern Okavango Delta: The role of Cyperus papyrus

PhD thesis title:  A classification of vegetation of the grassland biome of South Africa.

Professional Membership

                South African Association for the Advancement of Science                                   

                Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists

                South African Institute of Ecologists

                Society of Wetland Scientists

 

Employment History

Rhodes University, Department of Environmental Sciences                                    Associate Professor: March 2008 – present

University of Natal and KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), School of Environmental Science Associate Professor: January 2000 – December 2007

Senior Lecturer: June 1997 – December 1999   

Lecturer: June 1994 – May 1997

University of the Witwatersrand, Geology Department: Postdoctoral Researcher: January 1993 – December 1994

 

Contact Details                                                                                             Tel:+27-046-603-7003    

Fax +27-046-622-9319  

email: f.ellery@ru.ac.za 

Summary of Research and Published work

I have co-authored a single book, contributed several chapters in edited books and written approximately 50 refereed papers. I am a series editor of the forthcoming Wetland Management Series that draws together in 11 major research reports the scientific, technical, legal and management aspects of wetland rehabilitation. The series will be made available through the WRC in the next few months.

Most of my research is in the field of wetland science and management, and I am particularly interested in understanding wetland structure and function, particularly the processes that drive change – including natural and anthropogenic processes. It is clear that much of what we ascribe to human impacts are simply humans accelerating what would happen naturally, and in many cases, would have happened naturally through geomorphological and ecological processes.

I am also interested in the application of scientific knowledge generated through research for management and development. In some cases this feeds into what development is appropriate or otherwise, what interventions are appropriate for sustainable use of resources and conservation, and how systems can be used sustainably to support people's livelihoods. This is science for the environment, not just science about the environment.

Postgraduate Supervision

I have supervised about 25 Masters-level students and a handful of PhD-level students, mainly in the field of wetland science. I play a very active role in student research as supervisor because I think that lots of learning takes place when students see things through the eyes of an experienced scientist. This does not mean that I do the work for the student, but that there is deep learning for the student by carefully managed guidance.

 

Undergraduate and Honours teaching

I teach based on the notion that learners need to take responsibility for learning, and I encourage reflective learning amongst students at Undergraduate and Honours level. Since my own work has a strong scientific focus, I try and teach to my strengths. However, I recognise that Environmental Science and Management requires a deep engagement with society, and try and bring science and society together as much as I am able.

 

Administration

I have just successfully managed a large and multidisciplinary research programme funded by the WRC, and also have been involved (at UKZN) in management of undergraduate programmes.

Community Engagement

 

At every opportunity that is available to me I engage with communities about science and the work that I do, because it is one of the most important things we can do as scientists. There is growing loss of faith in science, particularly in fields such as biotechnology, medicine and environmental science, because very often work (such as EIA’s) is done on a case-by-case basis, with consequences that are not considered because there is not a strategic overview at the scale of the landscape. There is no substitute for good science, and we have a responsibility to communicate this.

 



Dr James Gambiza

Senior Lecturer

PhD (University of Zimbabwe), 2001
MSc (University of Zimbabwe), 1987




Teaching
I teach undergraduate courses in land degradation; ecological systems; ecological modeling; and policy and adaptive management.

Research
Fields of expertise
• plant population ecology
• rangeland ecology
• fire ecology

Students supervised:
Over ten MSc and BSc Hons students (University of Zimbabwe)( 1996-2003). Currently (Rhodes University): two third-year honours students; one PhD student (potential students: 1 MSc and 1 PhD -- these are currently working on their project proposals).

Current projects:
I am working on the socio-economic aspects and ecology of medicinal plants.

Contact Details:
Phone: +27-046-603-7010
Fax: +27-046-622-9319
E-mail: J.Gambiza@ru.ac.za





Dr Sheona Shackleton

Senior Lecturer

PhD (Rhodes University), 2005
MSc (University of Witwatersrand), 1989

 Teaching
 ►Formal university courses at undergraduate level at Rhodes University covering: transdisciplinarity, local knowledge, complex social-ecological systems, ecosystem services and poverty, property rights and institutions, climate change, natural resource valuation, and case studies on the interactions between people and the environment.  ►Social module for an MSc course in Conservation Biology at UCT.  ►Developing an Honours module on climate change adaptation.  ►Short courses and guest lectures on: PES, research methodology, participatory rural appraisal, community-based natural resource management, resource use and valuation, sustainable livelihoods.

 Research
Fields of expertise
 ►Rural livelihood systems and vulnerability.   ►Commercialisation of wild products/non-timber forest products (NTFPS).  ► Natural resource access, utilisation and valuation in communal tenure systems.  ►Theoretical and practical aspects of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM),  ►Community forestry and woodland management.
 ►Rural livelihood system and vulnerability.  ►Local level institutional arrangements for land and natural resource management.

 Current and recent projects

► Working on various proposals on climate change adaptation.  ►DFID, NERC, ESRC funded project on ecosystem services and poverty in arid and semi-arid southern Africa. Completed for their EPSA programme. 2008.  ►Commercialisation of natural resource products from the Bushbuckridge District, South Africa. This project involves in-depth case studies of four widely commercialised natural resource products, and their role in rural livelihood security and poverty alleviation. 2005.  ►SANPAD (South African-Netherlands Partnerships and Development research fund) funded project on “Local level trade in non-timber forest products in South Africa: Opportunities and challenges”. This involves two other Universities and five students in total. 2005.  ►DFID (UK Department of International Development) funded project on “Winners and Losers in Non-Timber forest product commercialization”. This focused on the livelihood impacts and benefits of commercialising marula (Sclerocarya birrea) in South Africa and Namibia. 2003.  ►Collaborator on the Centre for International Forestry ResearchÂ’s (CIFOR) project dealing with a world comparison of NTFP commercialisation cases. 2003.
Publications
 ►78 journal publication, published conference proceedings, book contributions and published reports. Presently lead editor on a Springer book on NTFPs in the global perspective.
 ►53 research and consultancy reports.
 ►19 popular articles and policy brief leaflets.
 ►33 conference contributions (papers and posters).

Other roles and responsibilities (current)
 ►Senior research associate – Centre for International Forestry Research, Indonesia,   ►Member of the National Forestry Advisory Council.  ►Member of the Advisory Panel for the international journal Forests,Trees and Livelihoods.  ►Member of the South African National Parks Social Science Research Support Committee.  ►Vice chairperson of the National Forestry Advisory Council – a statutory body that provides advice to the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry (2003-2006).  ► Nominator (one of 25) for the annual Darrell Posey Fellowship for Ethnoecology and Traditional Resource Rights.  ►Undertaken appraisals of project proposals for CSIR, National Research Foundation (NRF), WWF, DANCED, and Rhodes University.  ►Peer reviewed papers for Agroforestry systems,  Development Southern Africa , Ecological Economics, Forest Policy and Economics , Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, Geojournal,  International Forestry Review , International Journal of Biodiversity Science,  South African Journal of Botany, CSIR, CIFOR, Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, Journal of Tropical Forestry.

Full Curriculum Vitae
Contact Details:
Phone: +27-046-603-7009
Fax: +27-046-622-9319
E-mail: S.Shackleton@ru.ac.za

 

Dr Gladman Thondhlana

Lecturer

BA (Hons) Geography University of Zimbabwe 2003 (University Book Prize)

MA Environmental Policy and Planning University of Zimbabwe 2006

PhD in Environmental Science

Rhodes University 2012 

Current and recent research projects

1.       International Foundation of Science (IFS) Sweden, funded PhD project on ‘Valuation of resource use (and access agencies) among the San and Mier communities in southern Kalahari, South Africa’.

2.       Centre for Economic and environmental Policy in Africa (CEEPA), University of Pretoria, funded project on ‘Natural resource use and household welfare in the Kalahari drylands’.

3.       Center for International Governance Initiative (CIGI) Canada, funded research project on ‘Land acquisitions for Biofuel production and livelihood impacts in Chisumbanje communal lands of Zimbabwe’. 

Research interests, Institutional dynamics and Protected Area management; CBNRM, Socio-ecological dynamics in natural resources management; Biofuels and rural livelihoods.

Publications

1 x publication, 3 x manuscripts in preparation (from PhD research)

7 x local and international conference presentations

Discussant at one international conference

Peer reviewed one paper for Journal of Contemporary African Studies

  Zelda Kirstein

Departmental Administrator

Roles & Responsibilities
Administrative and financial services provided to the staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students of the department, clients and other individuals/groups.

 

Contact Details:
Bangor House, Rm 206
Phone: +27-046-603-7002
Fax: +27-046-622-9319
E-mail: z.kirstein@ru.ac.za


Kathy Cassidy

Senior Technical Officer

 Qualifications

• BSc Environmental Science (Unisa)
• BSc (Hons) Rhodes University 2009.  Research project "Understanding the role of frugivorous birds in aiding rehabilitation of thicket and how this can be facilitated by management intervention."
 

Roles & Responsibilities
• Arrangements and support for undergraduate teaching practicals, post-graduate  and staff field trips
• Participation in and logistical support during field trips

• Marking of undergraduate practical reports
• Maintenance and control of all departmental equipment and assets
• Basic repairs and maintenance around the department

• Assisting & Co-supervision of students in GIS (ArcMap 10) and the production of GIS maps
• Updating of the departmental website and production of the quarterly dept newsletter
• Setting up and maintaining relevant databases

Contact Details:
Bangor House, Rm 6 (ground floor)
Phone: +27-046-603-7013
Fax: +27-046-622-9319
E-mail: k.cassidy@ru.ac.za

Research Associates

Georgina Cundill

Georgina obtained her Phd from Rhodes University in 2009, and then spent a year in Chile working as social ecologist before returning to the Department of Environmental Science.With an appreciation of linked social-ecolgical systems, most of her research relates to the human dimensions of natural resource management. Georgina sees conservation as a social process that is often about managing people and their behaviour, rather than managing ecosystems. She works predominantly, but not exclusively, with various aspects of collaborative management, adaptive            management, rural livelihoods, multi-scale governance and social learning.

Link to my website

Andrew Knight

Following graduation with a BSc(Hons) from Macquarie University in 1994, I worked for seven years as a conservation planner with the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. During this time I worked in a small team trialling new spatial prioritisation approaches for identifying land acquisition priorities. We also developed a regional approach for integrating on- and off-reserve conservation initiatives, including the management of cultural heritage. Institutional uptake of these approaches struggled, and in 2002 I began a PhD, under the supervision of Prof. Richard Cowling and Dr Bruce Campbell, examining the implementation of effective conservation planning. This included a three-year stint as the Implementation Specialist for the World Bank funded Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Planning (STEP) project. I am committed to collaborating with practitioners to promote the advancement of practical research and social learning in the quest for solutions to their conservation planning problems.

Link to my website

  

© Copyright 2007 - Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University. All rights reserved.