IEC: Becoming an Engineer

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Zach Simpson, whose work explores the evolving nature of engineering education, academic development, and the everyday complexities of curriculum practice. Drawing on a journey that began in educational linguistics, Zach reflects on questions of identity, belonging, and the often invisible work involved in supporting engineering academics through change. Together, we discuss how conventional teaching practices shape student participation, what it means to prepare graduates for complex workplaces, and why engineering education must continually rethink not only what is taught, but how and why it is taught.Links:⁠Prof ZS LinkedIn⁠⁠SoTL in the South journal and conference

In this episode, we are joined by Prof. Jenni Case, whose work has played a foundational role in shaping Engineering Education Research in South Africa. From her early experiences in academic development at UCT to her leadership in establishing initiatives such as CREE and SASEE, Jenni reflects on the evolution of the field and the complexities of teaching and learning in engineering. Drawing on her experiences in both South Africa and the United States, the conversation explores what it means to support educators in their practice, how context shapes educational approaches, and what kinds of futures engineering education should be preparing students for.Links:Prof. Jenni Case LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenni-case-b3a44438Prof. Jenni Case Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=USeqOt0AAAAJCentre for Research in Engineering Education (CREE): https://ebe.uct.ac.za/creeVirginia Tech Profile Page: https://enge.vt.edu/People/researchfaculty/jennicase.htmlSouth African Society for Engineering Education (SASEE): https://www.sasee.org.za/Southern Journal of Engineering Education (SJEE): https://journals.uct.ac.za/index.php/sjee 

In this episode, we speak with Dr Disa Mogashana, whose work explores how identity, structure, and access shape success in engineering education. Drawing on her own experiences as a student and her research on cultural capital and student agency, Disa reflects on the often invisible systems that determine who thrives in university spaces and who must work harder simply to belong. Our conversation moves from personal narrative to institutional practice, exploring how educators, universities, and industry can better recognise misalignment and design environments where students are supported not only academically, but relationally and structurally.Links:JSU-EWB Innovate ArticleResources on Cultural Capital: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3649652Teaching Matters (article on pages 46-48): ⁠https://drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za/Public/2025-11/teaching-matters_vol-2.zp272198.pdf?VersionId=5Di_rBMtDitORx7dZUTRpPHmO0.EP6lg⁠Mogashana, D., Case, J.M. & Williams, K. (2022). How ADP students navigate enablements and constraints of the programme: An exploration of structure and agency. South African Journal of Higher Education, 36 (2), 204-221. ISSN 1753-5913. ⁠Mogashana, D., Basitere, M., Ivala, E.(2023). Harnessing students’ agency for easier transition and success in higher education in South Africa: A qualitative account of the role of a life coaching intervention. Journal of Student Affairs in Africa 11(1), 49-63). DOI: 10.24085/jsaa.v11i1.4206 Mogashana, D. G. (2015). The interplay between structure and agency: How academic development programme students 'make their way' through their undergraduate studies in engineering. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment ,Department of Chemical Engineering. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16601Ideological Positioning of Extended Curriculum Programmes – A Case Study of a Large South African Research University

This episode explores how engineering students navigate the emotional, institutional, and cultural realities of university life. Our guest, Prof. Curwyn Mapaling — a psychologist working in Engineering Education — shares insights from his research into student resilience in South African institutions. Together, we examine how identity, emotion, and institutional culture shape the learning journey, and consider what engineering education might look like if designed with greater care, context, and complexity.Links:Curwyn Mapaling ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Curwyn-Mapaling?ev=hdr_xprfRuth Graham Report: https://rhgraham.org/resources/Crisis-and-catalyst.pdfEEES: 2024 Symposium: https://sigarra.up.pt/feup/en/noticias_geral.ver_noticia?p_nr=159571Emotions Symposium 2025 in South Africa: https://irspbl2025.org.za/emotions-in-engineering-education-symposium/Nancy Fraser - Misrecognition: https://newleftreview.org/issues/ii3/articles/nancy-fraser-rethinking-recognitionRonelle Plaatjies LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronelle-plaatjes-927690235/

In this episode, Prof. Karin Wolff, a distinguished researcher and educator in the field of engineering education, joins us to discuss the current landscape of engineering education research in South Africa, the intersection of academic and industry expectations, and emerging opportunities for growth in the field.Links:Epistemic Plane: https://youtu.be/igUFNGQIw98Semantic Wave & Cumulative Learning: https://youtu.be/EawM2rdr8Gc?si=wxvEKikPgeN3gWxcWebsite: https://sites.google.com/view/dr-karin-wolff-portfolio/Research-project-introduction LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-wolff-51869020/ 

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Bruce Kloot about the complex relationships between engineering, society, history, and ethics. Drawing on his background in engineering, anthropology, and critical sociology, Bruce explores how power, identity, and historical context shape both engineers and the worlds they create. From extended degree programmes to engineers’ roles under apartheid, this conversation reveals why engineering is never purely technical — it is always social, and often deeply political.Links:Engineering under oppressive regimes... (C. B. Shaw & B. Kloot): https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2024.2419399A critical review of the educational philosophies underpinning Science and Engineering foundation programmes: https://iecurricula.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Kloot-Case-Marshall_2007.pdfA historical analysis of academic development using the theoretical lens of Pierre Bourdieu: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2013.868785The Relationship Between Engineers and Society: is it currently fulfilling its potential?: https://iecurricula.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Aslaksen_2015.pdfReconstructing engineering from practice: https://doi.org/10.1080/19378629.2010.520135