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MEET THE STAFF
Professor Arlene Archer
Arlene Archer is the coordinator of the UCT Writing Centre. She is located at the Upper Campus Writing Centre which is the ‘mothership’ from which all our satellite Writing Centres emerged. Arlene’s research interests include drawing on popular culture and multimodal pedagogies to enable student access writing in Higher Education. Arlene loves the Writing Centre because the “students and the consultants are inspiring” and her hobbies include walking, writing and research. She has a PhD in Applied Linguistics from UCT, is an NRF rated researcher and is co-founding editor of the SAGE journal Multimodality and Society.
Kendi Osano
Kendi Osano is the administrator of the Writing Centre. She holds a Masters degree in Media Studies from UCT and is looking towards a PhD in the same area. In her research, she analyses the ways in which Media represents various entities within society. Her interest in Media representation was motivated by the single story coverage of Africa in the international media outlets. Kendi loves baking and trying out new recipes.
Nicci Isaacs
Nicci Isaacs completed her Masters in Historical Studies at UCT, and is based in the Humanities Education Development Unit overseeing the Plus Tutorial Project, which provides additional forms of teaching and learning support for 4-year degree students. This includes training, supporting and managing tutors. As part of the Writing Centre, Nicci coordinates faculty-wide workshops, working closely with departments and lecturers to embed the workshops as far as possible into the curriculum and set assignments. Her research interests lie in education development, as well as education and pedagogical design in higher education, particularly in helping all students engage more meaningfully with texts, academic writing and digital learning landscapes.
Jenny Pan
Jenny Pan is currently doing her Research Master’s in Psychology. Her research focus is on older adults and longevity (i.e., how can older adults live, not only longer, but healthier, happier, and more independent lives?). She was a writing consultant for 2-years before becoming the Writing Centre technology assistant. In her downtime, she enjoys running, going on hikes, coffee (how can one live without?), eating food (because food is life), and puns (why do cows not have feet? Because they LAC-TOSE!).
MEET THE CONSULTANTS
Xolisile Thusini
Xolisile Thusini, nearing completion of her P.h D. in Biomedical Engineering, her research focuses on harnessing the power of mathematics and machine learning to revolutionise healthcare, particularly focusing on enhancing X-ray image analysis. Her academic journey has been characterised by dedication to learning and teaching, having previously served as a committed tutor at the University of Cape Town. Her decision to join the writing centre stems from a desire to impart her academic experience and potentially make a meaningful impact on the journeys of others. Beyond academia, Xoli embraces a diverse array of interests. She prioritises holistic well-being, regularly engaging in exercise, jogging, and scenic hikes. A connoisseur of creativity, she frequents art galleries, drawing inspiration from diverse forms of expression. Additionally, Xoli exhibits a keen sense of style, effortlessly blending her academic prowess with a fashionable demeanor.
Olufemi Olubodun
Femi is researching the life history of the Pygmy falcon for his doctoral degree at UCT. His research specifically investigates how the falcon responds to weather conditions and its movement ecology. Femi joined the Writing center because he is keen to share and continue to improve his writing skills as he assists others through their writing journey. During his free time, you might catch him birdwatching on hikes, running, or in a bookshop.
TATENDA DANDARA
Tatenda Dandara is currently studying towards a Research Masters in Linguistics, centred around the topics of Geosemiotics and Linguistic Ethnography – focusing on the experience of “affect/atmosphere” in certain Linguistic Landscapes. Tatenda enjoys tutoring, mentoring, and collaborating with her peers. This is why working at the Writing Centre is such a fulfilling experience for her. Through her research interests, Tatenda is particularly interested in promoting African languages as equally valuable communicators of intellect and working towards the development of effective multilingual language policies in Southern Africa. In her spare time, Tatenda enjoys reading short stories, listening to multilingual music, and hiking.
Tumelo QHOBELA
Tumelo Qhobela is currently studying towards their MA in English Literary Studies. Their research interests are far and wide with a focus on performance studies, trauma studies and creative non-fiction. Tumelo seeks to interrogate what the limits of language truly are and how these limitations have been creatively and critically challenged. For Tumelo, all academic writing can be mastered with the right tools and practice. Soon enough, these skills can be adapted into all aspects of one’s life. When Tumelo is not reading for school, they are reading for pleasure.
Isabella Sinn
Isabella Sinn completed her Masters by dissertation in Historical Studies at UCT in 2023. She has a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in History, Social Anthropology and English Language and Literature, and a BA Honours in Historical Studies. Her research has focused on the history of divorce and the family in the nineteenth-century Cape Colony, through the lens of a history of emotions and a history of intimacy. She is interested in the role of affect, emotions and feelings in learning environments. Isabella enjoys working with and learning from students as they navigate their academic journeys. She is passionate about building supportive, collaborative learning communities, and is particularly interested in developing students’ senses of their own academic voice as well as encouraging the development of their own scholarly identities. During her downtime, she enjoys films, poetry, baking and some sport.
HAYLEY HAYES-ROBERTS
Hayley Hayes-Roberts is a UCT History Access Postdoctoral Fellow, Design Historian, NIHSS peer mentor and completed a PhD in History thesis ‘Frameworks of Representation: A Design History of the District Six Museum in Cape Town’ at UWC in 2020. Areas of expertise - experience include Museum and Heritage studies, exhibition curatorship, Art History, Design Thinking, Design, Social, Textile, Fashion and Oral History. Qualified Graphic and Textile designer, lectured in Textile History, Design and Visual Art with a B: Tech Degree in Post school Education, Postgrad Diploma in Museum and Heritage studies, and a MA in History. Enjoys beekeeping and hiking.
Silke Brandt
Silke Brandt is currently studying towards her Doctoral degree in Marine Biology. Her research aims to unravel some of the mysteries of the seafloor surrounding South Africa. Silke's passion for the sea extends to marine conservation and education. She joined the writing centre to help facilitate access to mentorship and to empower students to pursue their educational goals with confidence. When Silke is not PhDing, she is probably walking her dogs or spending time outdoors, and to paraphrase Douglas Adams, listening to the whooshing noise of deadlines as they go by.
Samuel Julius
Samuel Julius is working on his Research Masters in Anthropology. His research focuses on youth, sports, masculinities and performances of identity. He is excited by people and their differences, and joined the Writing Centre to share the tips and tricks of academic writing while advocating for more accessible language and storytelling in academia. In his free time, he loves to watch sports, play piano or waste his time on YouTube.
Orrie Staschen
Orrie Staschen is a PhD candidate in the UCT School of Education’s applied language and literacy studies department with a research focus on digital and data-driven approaches to literacy education. Apart from his role as a writing centre consultant, he has also lectured on an academic writing course and believes strongly in making the academic writing conventions of the university more explicit, for both new and established students. In his free time, he enjoys reading, football, climbing and the outdoors.
Abdud-Dayyaan Badroodien
Abdud-Dayyaan Badroodien is currently working on his Research Masters in Historical Studies. His research lies in the intersection between language, identity and knowledge-making. The MA dissertation examines the entwinement between race and language in 19th and 20th century Southern Africa. These histories continue to shape our ways of knowing, especially on the African continent. He joined the Writing Centre to share his passion for academic writing, and to help others express their thoughts and ideas. Writing crystallises how we understand concepts, and this can be a productive and exciting exercise! In his spare time, he loves baking, learning languages, running, and habitually drinking tea and coffee.
JUNIOR CATSULTANT
Tigger
Tigger is the latest addition to our volunteer support staff. He is highly skilled in the areas of cuddles, 'scarfing' (i.e. napping on human shoulders), hide and seek, sunbathing, inspecting your work and general mental welfare. Tigger's services are complementary to in-person writing consultations. To optimise your chances of benefitting from his expertise, please select face-to-face as your mode of consultation when making an appointment.
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