Number of NRF-rated researchers increases at SU

Stellenbosch University (SU) has seen a significant increase in their number of researchers with National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings in 2022. This is according to Maryke Hunter-Hüsselman, director of research and strategy at SU, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.

NRF ratings indicate researchers who produce high-quality work and are experts in their field, as defined by the NRF website.

^{The National Research Foundation (NRF) gives different types of ratings to researchers, where “A” is the highest rating and “Y” is the lowest. Researchers from different universities can apply for NRF ratings. GRAPHIC: Joel Ontong}

“The number of NRF-rated researchers at SU has increased from 313 in 2013 to 486 in 2022,” said Hunter-Hüsselman. “This also currently includes 17 A-rated researchers.”

A-ratings are the highest ratings, indicating “leading international scholars”, according to the NRF website.

It is rare for a university to have more than 15 A-rated researchers, said Joyce Olivier, director at the NRF, via email correspondence with MatieMedia. Less than 5% of researchers obtain A-ratings, stated Olivier.

A focus on important research areas and a growing visibility in the international research community have contributed to the increase in NRF-rated researchers, according to Hunter-Hüsselman.

^{Stellenbosch University (SU) is currently seeing a significant increase in researchers with National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings. “We are very proud of our researchers but we still await [more] news from the NRF,” said Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU. PHOTO: Joel Ontong}

SU’s A-rated researchers 

Some researchers from SU expressed their gratitude for receiving an A-rating.

“It is a highlight of my research career and nice to know that one’s research is recognised internationally,” said André Weideman, professor at SU’s mathematical sciences department, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.

“I regard [my A-rating] as a recognition of the work I have done […] to promote acceptance of economic, social, and cultural rights as human rights both in South Africa and internationally,” said Sandra Liebenberg, professor at SU’s public law department, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.

^{There is a large variation in the types of researchers who have received National Research Foundation A-ratings at Stellenbosch University (SU). Researchers from the computer science department, mathematical sciences department, public law department and others hold A-ratings. The science faculty alone boasts seven A-rated researchers, according to the SU website. PHOTO: Joel Ontong}

However, other researchers commented on the lack of funding that comes with the A-rating.

Willem Visser, professor at SU’s computer science department, said that, while he appreciates the recognition that comes with an A-rating, “in the early days, the rating came with substantial funding and that made a huge difference”.

This funding was now no longer available, he told MatieMedia via email correspondence.

“The rating is not linked to funding,” claimed Len Barbour, professor at SU’s chemistry and polymer science department, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.

Barbour and Visser claimed that the rating means more for the university as an institution than it does for individual researchers.

SU is awaiting more results from the NRF about rated researchers and is unable to provide a date for when all the results are to be received, said Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.