​Lynn Hendricks, lecturer in the Division of Health Systems and Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences since 2022, has had quite the year.

Her Global Minds PhD project entitled 'More than a Pill: Producing the Story of Adherence to ART for Young Women Living with Perinatal HIV' won at the inaugural Inclusive Health Research awards in Brazil earlier this year. The project was a collaboration between KU Leuven and Stellenbosch University.

Hendricks, who graduates on 12 December, is the first Global Minds PhD scholar from South Africa and started her joint PhD in 2018. KU Leuven, Belgium's largest university, selects exceptional students from developing countries as scholarship candidates to obtain their PhD there, with the view of them using the expertise gained in their home country.

“The best part of working with two universities in my PhD was the international collaboration with local flavour and context. We were able to learn from one another and to visit and immerse ourselves in our home environments while making huge strides theoretically and academically. Having the community be integrated and engaged from conception to dissemination of this project has been the most inspiring chapter. Words can never do justice to describe how much I have learnt from the real experts – our young women in Cape Town – who has inspired the world with the bravery and courage to share their stories," Hendricks says.

“Graduating and satisfying conditions for graduation at two universities was a tale only lions could tell. I was registered at KU Leuven for a PhD in Social Sciences with Prof Karin Hannes and for a PhD in Public Health with Prof Taryn Young. This meant two protocol review, two ethics applications, two doctoral schools and reporting, two thesis review committees, and finally two higher degrees committees, and two submissions. It was taxing, challenging, and so rewarding. The support of my supervisors, family, colleagues, and friends carried me through.

“During my PhD journey I became a mother and together these experiences have moulded me into the researcher and person I am today. I believe in equity, justice and inclusion. I believe that academia rests on the shoulders of giants and these giants are our public and communities. It's why we do what we do."

Hendricks says the graduation in KU Leuven was very different to the ordinary ceremony. “Because it was in Belgium, I was unable to have my family present. “There is an open presentation of your work, with a jury present (all in robes and velvet hats) in a courtroom setting with a free access public link to join and watch the presentation. After the presentation each member asks a few questions. The jury then leaves the room for what seems like ages, and after they return it is announced that you have achieved Doctor of Social Science, and you are presented with your degree certificate. Unfortunately, there is no gown. So, I am so excited that I get to walk across the stage at Stellenbosch and celebrate with my family and friends here. And that I finally get to wear the red gown!

“I have been so amazed how God has opened doors for this girl of the Cape Flats. Anything is possible if you just believe and put in the work to make your dreams happen. But never forget, research is a team sport, and each player must and can have a voice."

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Caption: Prof Karin Baatjes, FMHS Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching with Dr Lynn Hendricks, and her SU study supervisor Prof Taryn Young.