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Stellenbosch University (SU) has recently launched a new podcast channel highlighting current topics and innovative research done at the University.

Created and run by SU's Corporate Communication, the podcast channel, called talks@stellenboschuni, offers SU experts a platform to talk about their work outside the traditional forms of academic discourse.

The first series of podcasts explores how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting various aspects of our lives. Some of the other topics and research experts in conversation on the podcast include:

• Prof Wim de Villiers talks about his role and experiences as Rector and Vice-Chancellor at SU.
• Prof Sandy Liebenberg discusses socio-economic rights during COVID-19.
• Prof Michael le Cordeur reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our democracy and various issues related to education.
• Ms Ilhaam Groenewald talks about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown on sport.
• Prof Jason Bantjes discusses students' mental health problems.
• Dr Elsje Pieterse from the Department of Animal Sciences talks about the idea of farming with insects to use as food, bioplastic, animal feed and even as alternatives for antibiotics.
• Dr Morne Mostert from the Institute for Futures Research offers some tips that might help senior decision-makers and students to think strategically about the future during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Prof Zwelinzima Ndevu, Director of the School of Public Leadership, discusses the leadership provided by the South African government during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In her conversation, Ms Anika Berning from the Department of Business Management highlights the challenges non-profit organisations face as they try to help alleviate the plight of millions of South Africans during the lockdown.
• Prof Brian van Wilgen from the Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology talks about the impact of invasive species in South Africa and what needs to be done to keep them in check.
• Dr Stephanie Vos from the Africa Open Institute discusses the importance of looking at popular music from the vantage point of local artists, producers and listeners.
• Prof Bruce Watson from the Department of Information Science offers some tips on how you can protect yourself against cyber criminals during the lockdown.
• Dr Callixte Kavuro from the Department of Public Law highlights the plight and challenges of refugees and asylum-seekers in celebration of World Refugee Day (20 June).
• Prof Nico Koopman, Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel, talks about how his responsibility centre is helping to promote transformation and diversity at Stellenbosch University and beyond.
• Prof Aslam Fataar from the Department of Education Policy Studies discusses how teachers have gone beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of learners during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in celebration of Youth Month, Psychology Honours student Unopachido Mubaiwa talks about the power young people have to bring about transformation in society.
• Philosophy student and SRC member Ingrid Heydenrych discusses the challenges student leaders are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic as they try to stay in touch with their fellow students,
• Mandela Rhodes Scholar and Master's student in Educational Policy Studies Delecia Davids highlights some of the pressing challenges young people face and SRC Chairperson Lewis Mboko talks about the challenges young people face during the COVID-19 pandemic and what they can do to rise above them.

The podcast is available on the SU website via the following podcast services, Anchor, iTunes, Google Podcast, Poketcast, Breaker and Spotify. ​