Dr Marianne McKay from the Department of Viticulture & Oenology has been recognised as a TAU Fellow for the 2021-2023 cycle. She joins Prof Ashraf Kagee ( Department of Psychology) and Prof Faadiel Essop (Department of Physiological Sciences).
Dr McKay has been previously acknowledged for her contributions to T&L in Agrisciences by being recognised as a Distinguished Teacher (2017), and awarded a Stellenbosch University Teaching Fellowship (2016-20). She also received the CHE/HELTASA Award for Teaching Excellence (2015) for her efforts in decoloniality in teaching, and conducting T&L research. She has a long record in teaching students in partner colleges in wine science, forming sustainable and successful training collaborations in local communities with measurable Social Impact. Dr McKay has an integrated approach to research across subject areas and disciplines which is gaining recognition across SU, and connects well with the goals of the newly formed South African Wine Research Institute based in our Faculty. She has recently been nominated as the Faculty candidate for the Scholarship of Educational Leadership programme (2021).

Her TAU fellowship objectives tie in with a number of goals in SU’s Transformation Plan (Vision 2040), as well as important programme renewal initiatives around increasing diversity, accessibility and a transformative student experience. As evidence for transformation is becoming increasingly important in staff performance evaluation, this Fellowship will enhance Dr McKay’s ability to provide support for colleagues in Agrisciences interested in furthering their passion for T&L, and ‘thinking differently’ about their specialist subject. She hopes to inspire those wanting to implement change, and enhance transformative and innovative student learning experiences in her own modules.