Section of Organisational Psychology
Prof. Joha Louw-Potgieter
Introduction
I joined UCT in 2003 as Professor and Head of Section in Organisational
Psychology. I am also the Director of the Institute for Monitoring and
Evaluation at UCT. I have studied at a number of universities and hold a
Masters degree in Psychology from Stellenbosch University, a Doctorandus degree
from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and a DPhil from Bristol University
in the UK. I also spent two years as a UNISA student completing Linguistics
I-III.
I have had an interesting and varied career, not all of it in academia. I have
worked as an academic at the University of Transkei, the then-University of
Natal (Durban) and the University of the Western Cape. In 1991, my research in
racism and intergroup relations led me into corporate life where I worked in an
area then known as affirmative action, which was situated in the human resources
function. In 1995 I established my own consulting company and was privileged to
work across South Africa implementing programmes to prepare business for
employment equity legislation. In 2001, I changed focus and worked
internationally in the area of e-learning.
Focus areas for supervision
My main research interest is intergroup relations in the workplace. I have
also done research in software implementation. Designing innovative electronic
data collection tools is a specific interest, irrespective of the focus area of
research.
I have recently developed my knowledge and skills in monitoring and programme
evaluation. My specific focus is on systems (electronic or manual) for
monitoring programme implementation, and on human resource programme evaluation.
Publications
I have selected five publications to illustrate some of my academic
achievements and research interests:
- Louw-Potgieter, J., & Nunez, D. (2007). Selection bias in virtual
intergroup contact: Do ambiguity and self-interest moderate in-group
preference? Accepted for publication in the South African Journal of
Psychology.
- Benjamin, J., & Louw-Potgieter, J. (2007). Professional work and actual
work: The case of industrial psychologists in South Africa. Accepted for
publication in the South African Journal of Psychology.
- Foster, D., & Louw-Potgieter, J. (Eds.) (1991). Social psychology in
South Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa: Lexicon Publishers.
- Louw-Potgieter, J., Kamfer, L., & Boy, R.G. (1991). Stereotype reduction
workshop. South African Journal of Psychology, 21 (4), 219-224.
- Louw-Potgieter, J. (1989). Covert racism: An application of Esseds
analysis in a South African context. Journal of Language and Social
Psychology, 8 (5), 307-319.
Personal
When I am not working at the university, I read Scandinavian detective
stories, watch sport on television, run and travel. I also like to spend time
with my friends who hold corporate jobs and hear what new things they are doing
in business. I would like to improve my wine tasting skills and learn to speak
French properly.
Contact
If you would like to come and talk to me about doctoral studies, please
contact me at 021-650-5218 or
Joha.Louw-Potgieter@uct.ac.za.
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