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Submitting your thesis /dissertation to sunscholar online.

Are you ready to submit your thesis, dissertation or article to the Library’s digital research repository? This library training opportunity for postgraduate students or staff is designed to provide practical guidance to those ready to submit their thesis/dissertation/article into SUNScholar.

This session will provide you with the necessary guidelines on:

• Preparing your thesis/dissertation/article for fast and effective submission
• The process and procedures involved in submission
• The benefits of submitting your articles to SUNScholar

Target audience : Masters and doctoral students

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Question: Where can I find the template for the cover page of a master's thesis submission

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Answered by: paulette talliard last updated: sep 27, 2022     views: 2658.

All compulsory information and requirements needed, as well as the necessary templates, for a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation are available on the library homepage under HELP  |  Thesis/dissertation submission .

*Please note: No SU crest is needed, the Scholar team will add the SU crest to the accepted PDF format.

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Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service, Helpline Numbers : +27 21 808 4883, Postal Address : Private Bag X5036 Stellenbosch, 7599

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Academic literature on the topic 'Life orientation - Study and teaching'

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Consult the lists of relevant articles, books, theses, conference reports, and other scholarly sources on the topic 'Life orientation - Study and teaching.'

Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.

You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.

• Journal articles
• Dissertations / Theses
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• Conference papers

Journal articles on the topic "Life orientation - Study and teaching":

Claudian, Aloysius, and Ailwei Solomon. "Incorporating a Cooperative Teaching and Learning Approach in Life Orientation Lesson Planning." International Journal of Educational Methodology 7, no. 3 (August 15, 2021): 373–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.12973/ijem.7.3.373.

Biryukova, Natalia. "Formation of the personal meanings of the study of mathematics among students of agricultural areas of training by means of contextual learning." E3S Web of Conferences 222 (2020): 05013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202022205013.

Yi, Xiaoming. "Understanding curriculum based on the study of Chinese “Gu Qin”." International Journal of Music Education 35, no. 3 (November 15, 2016): 403–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0255761416667468.

Mumma, Christina M., and Jeanne Quint Benoliel. "Care, Cure, and Hospital Dying Trajectories." OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying 15, no. 3 (November 1985): 275–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.2190/k10a-b1y9-yger-ymfu.

O’Neill, Fiona, Jonathan Crichton, and Angela Scarino. "Developing intercultural learning capabilities." Language and Intercultural Communication Pedagogies in Australian Higher Education 42, no. 2 (July 15, 2019): 125–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1075/aral.00021.one.

Polkovnikova, Natalia. "Analysis of the motivational features of the choice of the teaching profession by students." SHS Web of Conferences 98 (2021): 04002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20219804002.

Moru, Eunice Kolitsoe, Maqoni Malebanye, Nomusic Morobe, and Mosotho Joseph George. "A Van Hiele Theory analysis for teaching volume of three-dimensional geometric shapes." JRAMathEdu (Journal of Research and Advances in Mathematics Education) 6, no. 1 (December 16, 2020): 17–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.23917/jramathedu.v6i1.11744.

Bucciol, Alessandro, and Luca Zarri. "Saving Education Received in Early Life and Future Orientation in Adulthood." Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning 30, no. 1 (June 1, 2019): 67–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1052-3073.30.1.67.

Viganò, Caterina, Laura Molteni, Alberto Varinelli, Calogero Virzì, Sara Russo, Bernardo Dell’Osso, and Roberto Truzoli. "Risk of Internet Addiction in Adolescents: A Confrontation Between Traditional Teaching and Online Teaching." Open Psychology Journal 13, no. 1 (June 4, 2020): 79–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874350102013010079.

Jamaludin, Azilawati, and Yam San Chee. "Investigating Youth’s Life Online Phenomena." International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations 3, no. 4 (October 2011): 1–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jgcms.2011100101.

Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Life orientation - Study and teaching":

Panday, Dhevina. "Teachers' perspectives on the implementation of life orientation as a learning area." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/590.

Rooth, Edna. "An investigation of the status and practice of life orientation in South African schools in two provinces." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=init_3779_1177915500.

Hardie, Alison. "Eating disorders, body image and weight control life orientation teachers' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/394.

Jennings, Marianne Angelique. "Integration of life skills and HIV/AIDS into the South African schools' life orientation curriculum creating a model for NGO's /." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2685.

Wasserman, Jessica. "Life orientation teachers' experience of context in the implementation of the curriculum." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/96109.

Adams, Luvo. "A discourse analysis of the construction of gendered relationships in grade 10-12 Life Orientation textbooks in the Eastern Cape." Thesis, University of Fort Hare, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5532.

Strydom, Verena Zita. "The support needs of life orientation teachers in the Further Education and Training Band." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6837.

Gala, Celiwe Anathi. "The extent of knowledge about the hospitality industry among life orientation teachers and learners in previously disadvantaged black schools in Cape Town, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2429.

Christiaans, Daleen Joan. "Empowering teachers to implement the life orientation learning area in the senior phase of the General Education and Training Band." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2979.

Ncula, Ntombizandile Shirley. "Food gardens, environmental lesson planning and active learning in the life orientation learning area - foundation phase : a case study at Lungelolethu Lower and Higher Primary School /." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2007. http://eprints.ru.ac.za/927/.

Books on the topic "Life orientation - Study and teaching":

Picciotto, Madeleine. Critical thinking: A campus life casebook . 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson, 2004.

Shapiro, Toni. Settling in: A competency-based curriculum for U.S. cultural orientation : a teacher's handbook . [Brattleboro, Vt.]: Experiment in International Living, 1986.

Abraham, Getahun Yacob. Educating for democracy?: Life orientation: lessons on leadership qualities and voting in South African comprehensive schools . Göteborg: University of Gothenburg, 2010.

Shor, Ira. Critical teaching and everyday life . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987.

Cooper, Charles. Later-in-life lawyers: Tips for the non-traditional law student . 2nd ed. Honolulu, Hawaii: Fine Print Press, 2012.

Brick, Jean. China: A handbook in intercultural communication . Sydney, NSW: National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research, Macquarie University, 1991.

Marino, Merrick Jon. College undercover: What every student needs to know . Del Mar, CA: Wharton Pub., 1993.

Goodman, William. Mobility training for people with disabilities: Children and adults with physical, mental, visual, and hearing impairments can learn to travel . Springfield, Ill., U.S.A: C.C. Thomas, 1989.

Riedling, Ann Marlow. Information literacy: What does it look like in the school library media center . Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited, 2004.

Book chapters on the topic "Life orientation - Study and teaching":

Cottrell, Stella. "Induction: orientation to learning." In Teaching Study Skills and Supporting Learning , 195–207. London: Macmillan Education UK, 2001. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-07094-4_10.

Cottrell, Stella. "Induction, orientation and the identification of learning needs." In Teaching Study Skills and Supporting Learning , 66–96. London: Macmillan Education UK, 2001. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-07094-4_4.

Lee, Dong-Jin. "International Marketers’ Quality-of-Life (QOL) Orientation: A Cross-Cultural Study." In Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science , 403. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17320-7_108.

Blackshaw, Tony. "Location in the Intellectual Landscape: The Methodological, Theoretical and Metaphysical Orientation of the Present Study." In Working-Class Life in Northern England, 1945–2010 , 65–93. London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/9781137349033_3.

Isoda, Masami, and Raimundo Olfos. "Introduction of Multiplication and Its Extension: How Does Japanese Introduce and Extend?" In Teaching Multiplication with Lesson Study , 65–101. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28561-6_4.

Rantala, Jukka, and Najat Ouakrim-Soivio. "Why Does Changing the Orientation of History Teaching Take So Long? A Case Study from Finland." In The Palgrave Handbook of History and Social Studies Education , 471–94. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37210-1_18.

Almeida, Sylvia Christine, and Marilyn Fleer. "E-STEM in Everyday Life: How Families Develop a Caring Motive Orientation Towards the Environment." In International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Development , 161–81. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72595-2_10.

Lakkala, Suvi, and Outi Kyrö-Ämmälä. "Teaching for Diversity with UDL: Analysing Teacher Competence." In Inclusive Learning and Educational Equity , 241–77. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80658-3_10.

Bose, Rituparna. "Morphological Shape, Episkeletobiont Analysis, and Life Orientation Study in Pseudoatrypa cf. lineata (Brachiopoda) from the Lower Genshaw Formation of the Middle Devonian Traverse Group, Michigan: A Geometric Morphometric Approach." In Biodiversity and Evolutionary Ecology of Extinct Organisms , 63–95. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31721-7_4.

Tyilo, Nonzukiso, and Jenny Shumba. "Guidance and Counselling Through the Teaching of Life Orientation." In Addressing Multicultural Needs in School Guidance and Counseling , 277–91. IGI Global, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-0319-5.ch013.

Conference papers on the topic "Life orientation - Study and teaching":

Merciai, Ilaria, and Ruth Kerr. "MOOCS AS A TOOL FOR VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY ORIENTATION." In International Conference on Education and New Developments . inScience Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.36315/2021end139.

Jurčec, Lana, Tajana Ljubin Golub, and Majda Rijavec. "TEACHERS' WELLBEING: THE ROLE OF CALLING ORIENTATION, JOB CRAFTING AND WORK MEANINGFULNESS." In International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends . inScience Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.36315/2021inpact035.

Ingale, Sanchit, Anirudh Srinivasan, and Diana Bairaktarova. "CAD Platform Independent Software for Automatic Grading of Technical Drawings." In ASME 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference . American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/detc2017-67612.

"Study on the Aesthetic Orientation Value of Music Teaching in Colleges and Universities." In 2019 International Conference on Arts, Management, Education and Innovation . Clausius Scientific Press, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/icamei.2019.168.

"Study on the Orientation, Path and Measure of Computer Course Teaching in Higher Vocational Education." In 2019 International Conference on Advanced Education, Service and Management . The Academy of Engineering and Education (AEE), 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.35532/jsss.v3.130.

"Study on the Orientation, Path and Measure of Computer Course Teaching in Higher Vocational Education." In 2018 International Conference on Social Sciences, Education and Management . Francis Academic Press, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.25236/socsem.2018.170.

Lin, Qiu. "Study on How to Enhance the Teaching Efficiency of World Outlook and Outlook on Life." In 2013 International Conference on Educational Research and Sports Education . Paris, France: Atlantis Press, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.2991/erse.2013.4.

Blašková, Helena. "OBSERVATIONAL LIFE DRAWING AS A HOLISTIC TEACHING TOOL IN THE TIME OF MEMES / PRE-RESEARCH STUDY." In International Conference on Education and New Developments . inScience Press, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.36315/2019v2end066.

Dayalan, Dr Sudhakar, and Mrs R. NimmiSudhakar. "Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Life Style Modifications with Teaching among Diabetic Patients Who Attend Diabetic Clinics at Chennai - A study to assess the quality of life (life style modifications) among diabetic mellitus patients." In Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference . Global Science & Technology Forum (GSTF), 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.5176/2315-4330_wnc14.97.

Ata-Ali, Nadia, David Martínez-Muñoz, Víctor Yepes, and Jose Vicente Martí. "CASE STUDY OF THE EVALUATION OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF A FACADE USING THE FLIP TEACHING METHOD." In 12th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation . IATED, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.21125/iceri.2019.0282.

Reports on the topic "Life orientation - Study and teaching":

Clayton, Jessica Ridgway, Leslie Davis Burns, Lorynn Divita, and Sheng Lu. Case Study Teaching Method: Bringing Concepts to Life . Ames (Iowa): Iowa State University. Library, January 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.31274/itaa.8294.

Hillman, Kylie, and Sue Thomson. 2018 Australian TALIS-PISA Link Report . Australian Council for Educational Research, August 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.37517/978-1-74286-598-0.

Hillman, Kylie, and Sue Thomson. 2018 Australian TALIS-PISA Link Report . Australian Council for Educational Research, August 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.37517/978-1-74286-628-4.

Wright, Kirsten. Collecting Plant Phenology Data In Imperiled Oregon White Oak Ecosystems: Analysis and Recommendations for Metro . Portland State University, March 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.15760/mem.64.

• Cambridge Libraries

Physical & Digital Collections

Theses & dissertations: home, access to theses and dissertations from other institutions and from the university of cambridge.

This guide provides information on searching for theses of Cambridge PhDs and for theses of UK universities and universities abroad. 

For information and guidance on depositing your thesis as a cambridge phd, visit the cambridge office of scholarly communication pages on theses here ., this guide gives essential information on how to obtain theses using the british library's ethos service. .

On the last weekend of October, the British Library became the victim of a major cyber-attack. Essential digital services including the BL catalogue, website and online learning resources went dark, with research services like the EThOS collection of more than 600,000 doctoral theses suddenly unavailable. The BL state that they anticipate restoring more services in the next few weeks, but disruption to certain services is now expected to persist for several months. For the latest news on the attack and information on the restoration of services, please follow the BL blog here:  Knowledge Matters blog  and access the LibGuide page here:  British Library Outage Update - Electronic Legal Deposit - LibGuides at University of Cambridge Subject Libraries

A full list of resources for searching theses online is provided by the Cambridge A-Z, available here .

University of Cambridge theses

Finding a cambridge phd thesis online via the institutional repository.

The University's institutional repository, Apollo , holds full-text digital versions of over 11,000 Cambridge PhD theses and is a rapidly growing collection deposited by Cambridge Ph.D. graduates. Theses in Apollo can be browsed via this link . More information on how to access theses by University of Cambridge students can be found on the access to Cambridge theses webpage.   The requirement for impending PhD graduates to deposit a digital version in order to graduate means the repository will be increasing at a rate of approximately 1,000 per year from this source.   About 200 theses are added annually through requests to make theses Open Access or via requests to digitize a thesis in printed format.

Locating and obtaining a copy of a Cambridge PhD thesis (not yet available via the repository)

Theses can be searched in iDiscover .  Guidance on searching for theses in iDiscover can be found here .   Requests for consultation of printed theses, not available online, should be made at the Manuscripts Reading Room (Email:  [email protected] Telephone: +44 (0)1223 333143).   Further information on the University Library's theses, dissertations and prize essays collections can be consulted at this link .

Researchers can order a copy of an unpublished thesis which was deposited in print form either through the Library’s  Digital Content Unit via the image request form , or, if the thesis has been digitised, it may be available in the Apollo repository. Copies of theses may be provided to researchers in accordance with the  law  and in a manner that is common across UK libraries.  The law allows us to provide whole copies of unpublished theses to individuals as long as they sign a declaration saying that it is for non-commercial research or private study.

How to make your thesis available online through Cambridge's institutional repository

Are you a Cambridge alumni and wish to make your Ph.D. thesis available online? You can do this by depositing it in Apollo the University's institutional repository. Click here for further information on how to proceed.    Current Ph.D students at the University of Cambridge can find further information about the requirements to deposit theses on the Office of Scholarly Communication theses webpages.

UK Theses and Dissertations

Electronic copies of Ph.D. theses submitted at over 100 UK universities are obtainable from EThOS , a service set up to provide access to all theses from participating institutions. It achieves this by harvesting e-theses from Institutional Repositories and by digitising print theses as they are ordered by researchers using the system. Over 250,000 theses are already available in this way. Please note that it does not supply theses submitted at the universities of Cambridge or Oxford although they are listed on EThOS.

Registration with EThOS is not required to search for a thesis but is necessary to download or order one unless it is stored in the university repository rather than the British Library (in which case a link to the repository will be displayed). Many theses are available without charge on an Open Access basis but in all other cases, if you are requesting a thesis that has not yet been digitised you will be asked to meet the cost. Once a thesis has been digitised it is available for free download thereafter.

When you order a thesis it will either be immediately available for download or writing to hard copy or it will need to be digitised. If you order a thesis for digitisation, the system will manage the process and you will be informed when the thesis is available for download/preparation to hard copy.

See the Search results section of the  help page for full information on interpreting search results in EThOS.

EThOS is managed by the British Library and can be found at http://ethos.bl.uk . For more information see About EThOS .

World-wide (incl. UK) theses and dissertations

Electronic versions of non-UK theses may be available from the institution at which they were submitted, sometimes on an open access basis from the institutional repository. A good starting point for discovering freely available electronic theses and dissertations beyond the UK is the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) , which facilitates searching across institutions. Information can also usually be found on the library web pages of the relevant institution.

The DART Europe etheses portal lists several thousand full-text theses from a group of European universities.

The University Library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses  (PQDT) database which from August 31 2023 is accessed on the Web of Science platform.  To search this index select it from the Web of Science "Search in" drop-down list of databases (available on the Documents tab on WoS home page)

PQDT includes 2.4 million dissertation and theses citations, representing 700 leading academic institutions worldwide from 1861 to the present day. The database offers full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full text coverage for older graduate works. Each dissertation published since July 1980 includes a 350-word abstract written by the author. Master's theses published since 1988 include 150-word abstracts.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The University Library only subscribes to the abstracting & indexing version of the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database and NOT the full text version.  A fee is payable for ordering a dissertation from this source.   To obtain the full text of a dissertation as a downloadable PDF you can submit your request via the University Library Inter-Library Loans department (see contact details below). NB this service is only available to full and current members of the University of Cambridge.

Alternatively you can pay yourself for the dissertation PDF on the PQDT platform. Link from Web of Science record display of any thesis to PQDT by clicking on "View Details on ProQuest".  On the "Preview" page you will see an option "Order a copy" top right.  This will allow you to order your own copy from ProQuest directly.

Dissertations and theses submitted at non-UK universities may also be requested on Inter-Library Loan through the Inter-Library Loans department (01223 333039 or 333080, [email protected] )

• Last Updated: Dec 20, 2023 9:47 AM
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LOUW NM. Assessment of mutant N19 sugarcane lines for drought tolerance. MSc, March 2024. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/35519

GOUWS N. Investigating transgenic potato plants lacking starch branching enzyme I and/or glucan, water dikinase 1. MSc, March 2024.

WARREN K. Is AtGSTF2 involved in lumichrome perception and transport? MSc, March 2024.

KERET R. The physiological and genetic underpinnings that influence the xylem properties of Eucalyptus grandis, when subjected to different levels of water availability. PhD, March 2024.​

HENRIQUES M. Does lumichrome-enhanced growth reduce disease resistance in plants? MSc, 2023

SCHWEGLER DA. Development of genome editing of potato to repress cold-induced sweetgening. MSc, 2023.

KULU NN. Analysis of starch metabolism in South Afri can pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) varieties. MSc, 2023. 

ADEGBAJU MS. Analysis of interactions between glucan, water dikinase and either isoamylase or starch branching enzymes in determination of starch structure, PhD 2022.

MDODANA Z.  Analysis of aspects of starch metabolism in Physcomitrella patens , PhD 2021.

JACOBS D.  Analysis of sugar accumulation under cold stress in Physcomitrella patens , MSc 2021.

LOURENS D. Determining the function of MtAMA1, an AGP suspected to play a role in the symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Medicago truncatula , MSc 2021.

EHRENREICH C. Site directed-mutagenesis studies on a novel dual domain β galactosidase/ β-glucosidase open reading frame identified from dairy runoff, MSc 2021.

RUST CM.  The volatile tale of Arabidopsis thaliana: Enhancing plant growth and salinity stress tolerance by overexpressing α-acetolactate decarboxylase to produce acetoin in planta, MSc 2021.

GABRIEL C. Overexpress trehalose-6-phosphate synthase genes, isolated from sugarcane, in potato to determine its activity and its role in internal carbohydrate homeostasis, MSc 2021. 

BARKER A. The over-expression of a late embryogenesis abundant protein in Saccharum species hybrid to improve osmotic stress tolerance under water-deficit, MSc, 2021.  ​

MADZIVIRE PM.  Conservation of the endangered geophyte Haemanthus pumilio, MSc ,2021.

HUNTER EW. Screening for bioactive phytocannabinoid-like secondary metabolites in the flowers of two endemic South African “wilde dagga" (Leonotis leonurus) varieties, MSc 2020.

ENSLIN NG. Identification of a cellulolytic active fungal strain, isolated from a cigarette waste microenvironment, showing preference for growth on cellulose acetate, MSc 2020.  

WIESE A. Characterization of the Sucrose Synthase and class II Trehalose 6-Phosphate Synthase gene families in the moss Physcomitrella patens. PhD, 2020.

LOUBSER J. Analysis of the molecular and physiological effects following treatment with BC204 in Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum lycopersicum . PhD, 2020.

MBAMBALALA N. Analysis of the role of transcription factors in enhancing drought tolerance in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). MSc, 2020.

KERET R. Optimisation of micropropagation protocols for Eucalyptus hybrids. MSc, 2020.

ROSMARIN M. Enhancing plant growth via the transgenic production of bacterial volatile organic compounds. MSc, 2020.

VAN DER WALT F.  Investigation of the link between glycogen metabolism and cell size in E. coli. MSc, 2020.

LE ROUX W.  Induced mutagenesis through gamma irradiation of embryogenic callus and selection for drought tolerance in sugarcane. MSc, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/24236 ​

PIETERS J. Identification and biochemical characterisation of an aryl β-glucosidase isolated from a cellulose-acetate rich environment via a functional metagenomic approach. MSc, 2018.

HUGO M. Functional identification of a putative stachyose synthase (StaS, Medtr7g106910.1) from Medicago truncatula , by overexpression in the Arabidopsis stachyose deficient double mutant atrs4/atrs5. MSc, 2018.

​VAN BEEK CR. Overexpression of a tomato SlNAC2 gene in Nicotiana tabacum to determine its potential role in enhancing drought tolerance in plants. MSc, 2018

JACOBS I. Analysis of aspects of the starch metabolic pathway in lower plants. MSc, 2018.

SMITH M. Isolation and characterisation of novel enzymes producing fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides through a metagenomic approach. PhD, 2018.​

SWANEPOEL CC. Characterisation of the glycoside hydrolase domain of a novel bi-functional metagenomic clone for use in the biofuel production industry. MSc, 2017.

MTHEMBU ZN.  Development of a hairy root bioreactor from Stevia rebaudiana to produce steviol glycosides. MSc, 2017

PRINCE E. Synthesis of phosphorylated polyglucans using phosphorylases. MSc, 2017

NDIMBA RM. Biophysical characterization of the mineral composition of seeds with varying genetic background including transgenic sorghum with reduced amounts of the storage protein kafirin. PhD, 2017.

PRINS, R. The two oceans project: Searching for novel carbohydrate sulfoconjugation enzymes. MSC, 2017. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/100897

PHOLO, Z.  Molecular analysis of plant growth promoted with low molecular weight compounds in relation to genetically altered photosynthetic carbohydrate partitioning in higher plants. PhD, 2017. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/101430

MUSHFIELDT K.  Mutational analysis of E. coli maltodextrin metabolism.  MSc, 2017. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/100798

​JANSE VAN RENSBURG H.  The Arabidopsis GolS1 promotor as a potential biosensor for heat stress and fungal infection, MSc, 2016.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/100248

STRYDOM L. Mutational analysis of genes involved in E. coli glycogen degradation. MSc, 2016. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/100148

HARTZENBERG L.  Identification and manipulation of starch synthases from marama bean and potato.  MSc, 2016. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/100015

MASOABI M. Biotechnological approaches for sugarcane enhancement – Drought tolerance and cell wall manipulation. MSc, 2016.

LOUBSER J. Tools for strigolactone research: Towards a strigolactone-responsive promoter and a strigolactone-activity inhibitor. MSc, 2016.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/98736

ROSSOUW MJ. Application of plant growth promoting substances and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for phytostabilisation of mine tailings. MSc, 2016.

VAN DER MERWE S. Attempting to enhance sugarcane growth through genetic modification. MSc, March 2016.

LEKGARI GLP. Over-expressing Arabidopsis MYB transcription factors in Salvia spp and sugarcane. MSc, 2015. 

LOEDOLFF B. functional roles of raffinose family oligosaccharides: Arabidopsis case studies in seed physiology, biotic stress and novel carbohydrate engineering. PhD, 2015. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/98052

DENKHAUS E. Using XhLEA, a group 1 vegetative Late Embryogenesis Abundant protein to aid water deficit tolerance in plants and microbes. MsC, 2015. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/98113

JAYAKUMAR R. Functional identification of the chloroplastic raffinose transporter from Arabidopsis. MScAgric, 2015. http://146.232.129.77/handle/10019.1/97726

​MARAIS C.  Screening, isolating and characterizing acetyl xylan esterase enzymes from a novel ecological niche.  MSc, 2015

DEMPERS D.  Overexpression of α-acetolactate decarboxylase and acetoin reductase/2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana. MSc, 2015

DE VILLIERS RM.  Pp1s148_40v6 in Physcomitrella patens : An AtMAX2 orthologue? MSc, 2015. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/96818  

FERNHOUT JJ. Isolation and characterisation of genes involved in carbon and chlorophyll metabolism in Saccharum species hybrids. MSc, 2015. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/96696

JEWELL JF. The analysis of glycogen phosphate and glucose-1,6-bisphosphate metabolism in Escherichia coli. MSc, 2015.

SAMODIEN ME.  The analysis of starch degradation in Solanaceae species.  PhD, 2014.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/86440

NDIMANDE S. Increasing cellulosic biomass in sugarcane.  PhD, 2014.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/86296

CLAASSENS AP.  Investigation of starch metabolism gene and their interactions.  MSc, 2013.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/85863

DE WITT RN.  Correlating metabolite and transcript profiles in transgenic sugarcane lines.  MSc, 2013.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/80286

GROBBELAAR MC.  Influence of strigolactones and auxin on Sutherlandia (Lessertia) frutescens in vitro plant tissue cultures.  MSc, 2013.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/85701

HECTOR SBE. Molecular studies of galactan biosynthesis in red algae. PhD, 2013. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/85620

SWART C. Production of libraries to study biopolymer metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana and Tylosema esculentum .  MSc, 2013. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/85607

WIESE AJ. Characterisation of carbohydrate metabolism in mycohereotrophic associations between plants and fungi. MSc, 2013.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/85740

EGBICHI IM. Modulation of ascorbate peroxidase activity by nitric oxide in soybean. MSc, 2012.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/71645

JACOBS FA.  Identification of regulatory elements mediating response of SOD and cyctatin transcripts to salt stress and nitric oxide in soybean nodules.  MSc, 2012.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/20024

LOEDOLFF B. Isolation and partial characterisation of PHT1;5, a putative high affinity phosphate transporter from Arabidopsis thaliana . MSc, 2012. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/20243

MDODANA T. The effects of the synthetic strigolactone GR24 on Arabidopsis thaliana callus culture. MSc, 2012. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/71963

RAPP T. Isolation and characterisation of genes encoding biopolymer manufacturing enzymes. MSc, 2012. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/19968

​WILLARD K. Investigation of exopolysaccharide producing bacteria isolated. MSc, 2012. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/71627

CONRADIE T.  Genetic engineering of sugarcane for increased sucrose and consumer acceptance.  MSc, 2011.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/17826

STEENKAMP LE. Analysis of the effects of the plant growth promoting substances GR24 and smoke water on abiotically-stressed Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings. MSc, 2011. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/17863

BOUSSIENGUI-BOUSSIENGUI.  Analysis of the role of relative nucleotide concentrations on the regulation of carbohydrate in higher plants.  PhD, 2010.

CRONJE C.  Manipulation of ascorbate biosynthesis in Solanum lycopersicum (cv Money maker).  MSc, 2010.  http ://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/5291

FLY R.  Approaches for the study of leaf carbohydrate metabolic compartmentation in Arabidopsis thaliana . MSc, 2010.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/5332

GEORGE GM.  Virus induced gene silencing for the study of starch metabolism. PhD, 2009. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/4024

HORSTMANN C.  Manipulating cell wall biosynthesis in yeast and higher plants.  MSc, 2010.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/5288

KOTZE LM.  An investigation into the effects of smoke-water and GR24 on the growth of Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings.  MSc, 2010.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/5215

MACKAY S.  Identification of the genes encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of the biopolymer paramylon from Euglena gracilis . MSc, 2010.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/5420

ZWIEGELAAR JP.  Molecular studies on phosphate homeostasis in higher plants.  PhD, 2010.  https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/4839

GOUWS LM.  The molecular analysis of the effects of lumichrome as a plant growth promoting substance.  PhD, 2009.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/4825

NEPEMBE MN.  Elucidatin of the biochemical mechanism of glycogen phosphorylation in Escherichia coli.  MSc, 2009. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2524

SAMODIEN ME.  Analysis of enzymes involved in starch phosphate metabolism.  MSc, 2009.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2633

SPRACKLEN AL. Characterization of transgenic sugarcane lines with perturbed pyrophosphate:fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransgerase (PFP) activity.  MSc, 2009.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2769

BASSON CE.  Analysis of intermediate carbon metabolism in strawberry plants.  MSc, 2008.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2295

GOVENDER C.  Stem specific promoters from sorghum and maize for use in sugarcane.  MSc, 2008.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2374

LOEBENBERG L.  UDP-glucose: β-(1-3)-glucan (paramylon) synthase from Euglena gracilis .  MSc, 2008.

OHLHOFF CW.  Biopolymer gene discovery and characterization using metagenomics libraries.  MSc, 2008.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2380

SMITH ML.  Investigating the role of pyrophosphate fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase in phloem loading.  MSc, 2008.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/3062

VAN WYK N.  Analysis of dextrin dextranase from Gluconobacter oxydans.  MSc, 2008.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2619

BEKKER J. Manipulation of cell wall composition in sugarcane. PhD, 2007.   http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/1259

FERREIRA SJ.  The analysis and reduction of starch in sugarcane by silencing ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and over-expressing B-amylase. MSc, 2007. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2880

NDIMANDE GS.  Comparative analysis of differential gene expression in the culms of sorghum.  MSc, 2007. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2903

NELL H.  Genetic manipulation of sucrose-storing tissue to produce alternative products. PhD, 2007.

NICHOLSON TL.  Carbon turnover and sucrose metabolism in the culm of transgenic sugarcane producing 1-kestose.  MSc, 2007.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/38152

VAN DER MERWE L.  UDP-glucose: B-(1-3)-glucan (paramylon) synthase from Euglena gracilis.  MSc, 2007.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/1560

HITEN NF.  The manipulation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in sugarcane.  MSc, 2006.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2873

HUSSELMANN LHH.  Molecular characterization of the commercially important Agathosma species.  MSc, 2006.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/3068

JOUBERT D.  Manipulation of neurtral invertase activity in sugarcane.  MSc, 2006.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/1817

VAN DER MERWE J.  Isolation and evaluation of the sugarcane UDP-glucose dehydrogenase gene and promoter.  PhD, 2006.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/1461

BOSCH S.  Trehalose and carbon partitioning in sugarcane.  PhD, 2005.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/1433

BOUSSIENGUI-BOUSSIENGUI G.  Remobilization of sucrose from the culm during germination of sugarcane setts.  MSc, 2005.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/3116

ORENDO-SMITH R.  Enzyme profiling of a range of sugarcane tissue types with different levels of sucrose.  MSc, 2005.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2462

SCHEEEPERS I.  The influence of genetic manipulation of cytosolic aldolase (ALDc) on respiration in sugarcane.  MSc, 2005.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2923

SWART JC.  The characterization of vacuolar pyrophosphatase expression in sugarcane. MSc, 2005.   http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/1756

TSION GA.  Isolation and characterisation of a culm-specific promoter element from sugarcane. MSc, 2005. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/1843

TURNER GM.  Development of in situ hybridisation to examine tissue-specific expression patterns of the invertase genes in sugarcane culm.  MSc, 2005. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/16621

VAN DER MERWE MJ.  Influence of hexose-phosphates and carbon cycling on sucrose accumulation in sugarcane spp.  MSc, 2005.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/1873

BURGER AL.  The isolation and characterisation of a developmentally-regulated gene from Vitis vinifera L. berries.  PhD, 2004. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/15938

CHAMPANIS R.  Aspects of sucrose metabolism in transgenic tobacco.  PhD, 2004.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/49854

McCORMICK JA.  Expression behaviour of primary carbon metabolism genes during sugarcane culm development.  MSc, 2004.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/16387

SCHAFER WE.  Characterisation of sucrose synthase activity in the sugarcane culm.  PhD, 2004. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/16068

TITUS CHA.  Sucrose transporters and sucrose uptake mechanisms in sugarcane.  MSc, 2004.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/16448

VENTER M. Isolation of Grapevine promoters with special emphasis on the vacuolar pyrophosphatase.  PhD, 2004. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/16078

RAMOUTAR R.  The development of an in situ hybridisation technique to determine the gene expression patterns of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in sugarcane intermodal tissues. MSc, 2003.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/49795

SNYMAN SJ.  Development of a transformation system for sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrids) in South Africa using herbicide resistance as a model system.  PhD, 2002.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/52764

CARSON DL.  Gene discovery and expression analysis in sugarcane leaf and culm.  PhD, 2002.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/52860

ROGBEER O.  Differential gene expression in the culm of sugarcane during development, with special emphasis on the storage parenchyma cells.  MSc, 2002. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/52803

ZWIEGELAAR JP.  Tissue specific gene expression in grape berries.  MSc, 2002. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/53192

HOEPFNEER SW.  Fructokinase activity in the sugarcane culm: expression patterns and kinetic properties.  MSc, 2001.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/52276

ROSE S.  Sucrose accumulation and the expression of neutral invertase in sugarcane.  MSc, 2001.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/52468

SANUSHKA R.  Variants of the gene encoding the beta subunit of pyrophosphate dependent phosphofructokinase (PFP) and their transcriptional expression in sugarcane.  MSc, 2001.  http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/52605

BINDON K.  Carbon partitioning in sugarcane intermodal tissue with special reference to the insoluble fraction.  MSc. 2000. http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/51642

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Research process: proposal.

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The research proposal answers the following questions:

​ Adapted from K. Punch, 2006:20

Statement of the problem:  This section should include a clear and concise statement of the purpose or goal of the project.

Literature review:  A proposal should reflect your understanding of relevant bodies of literature and where your study fits in that context. The literature review should trace the central themes in the literature, highlight major areas of disagreement, and reflect a critical stance toward the materials reviewed.

Conceptual framework:  What theories or concepts will guide the study? How or why do they suggest the specific hypotheses or research question? What are the strenghts and weaknesses of the proposed framework? The proposal should contain clear evidence that you understand the theoretical perspective and can work with it.

Hypotheses or research questions:  Following the description of the conceptual framework, there should be a clear, crisp statement of the research hypothesis, or in the case of some qualitative studies, a concise description of the phenomena to be examined. An explanation of why testing the hypothesis or answering the questions is appropriate for elucidating the research problems and show consistency with the conceptual framework should be included.

Methodology:  This section consists of a description of plans for collecting and analysing the data.  What instruments will be used? Why are they appropriate for this study? Is there evidence of the insturments' reliability and validity? How and to whom will they be administered? What procedure will be followed in the data analysis? For qualitative studies, there should be an explanation of the purpose of observation and interviews, and, if possible, some indication of their content and format.

Task structure (scope of work):  This section indicates exactly what will be done, the sequence of the various activities and the products of deliverables that will be prepared.  Planning a viable schedule for carrying out the tasks is often as important as developing a comprehensive list of tasks.

Budget:  A few research proposals also require budget information. Budget information include the amount of total expected cost both direct and indirect, cost of any equipment required, cost of field study, accommodation and conference participation etc. If any other organisation is sponsoring the project then that information should also come in this section.

Reference:  Your references should provide the reader with a good sense of your grasp on the literature and how you can contribute to it. Be sure to reference texts and resources that you think will play a large role in your analysis. Remember that this is not simply a bibliography listing ‘everything written on the subject’. Rather, it should show critical reflection in the selection of appropriate texts.

This video developed by Massey University (New Zealand) provides a good introduction to what a research proposal is, what elements it should include and how it should be structured.

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Tim Zajontz

"You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness." (Thomas Sankara)

In memoriam: Professor Ian Taylor

A collective tribute to a true friend of africa and a wonderful teacher.

On 22 February 2021, we lost Professor Ian Taylor. Ian has been a world-renowned scholar who made outstanding contributions in the fields of International Relations, African politics and China-Africa studies. Besides his remarkable academic achievements and output, Ian was an extremely passionate educator who has inspired generations of students at all levels of their studies and literally all across the world. He was genuinely interested in the opinions and lives of his students and truly cared for them. This ‘collective obituary’ is a modest attempt to pay tribute to the important role Ian has played as a ‘teacher’, mentor or supervisor for many of us. We thank the editors of the St Andrews Africa Summit (SAASUM) Review to honour Ian’s life and legacy by publishing this collective tribute in their 2021 edition .

In the typical Ian-esque manner, Prof. Taylor often joked that his only ‘claim to fame’ was that he, during his and his wife Jo’s time at the University of Botswana (2001-04), taught Kennedy Kamoli, who would later, in 2014, stage a coup d’état in Lesotho. Of course, everyone knew that his modesty was misplaced. Ian has done pioneering work in what is now a burgeoning subdiscipline, China-Africa studies. But his work and interests went far beyond ‘China in Africa’. Ian published many highly influential books and articles on various aspects of politics and the political economy of Africa, on African political thought, on international institutions, on the (under)development of Africa, on peace and conflict on the continent as well as on regionalism and Gramscian and Marxist theory.

No doubt, he was an academic ‘superstar’ or, as the Cambridge Review of International Affairs once put it, “one of the most authoritative academics on Sub-Saharan Africa’s International Relations”. What made him special is that he never considered himself a ‘superstar’, let alone make others feel that he was one. He was incredibly humble and did not take himself too seriously. Occasionally, he would send us his newest publication. In the subject line of the email: ‘my latest nonsense’. Ian’s humble nature had a direct impact on how he interacted with his students. He was very approachable and genuinely interested in what students had to say. In class, he created a warm, very pleasurable learning atmosphere in which students felt comfortable to share their views.

Throughout his extraordinary career, Ian remained steadfast and loyal to his political ideals of a more equitable and just world. He was a radical – a very gentle radical. He never compromised on his convictions of what is right and what is wrong. What he most certainly considered wrong was the enduring systematic exploitation of Africa by external actors and economic interests. At the same time, he would never let African political and economic elites escape from their responsibility for the fate of their people.

Ian was an extremely hard-working academic who was marked by his humility and proud of his working-class background. He was eager to learn from others. In contrast to many leading academics, he really listened when others spoke. He incorporated silenced voices, not least from Africa, into his work and in diversifying thought at the institutions he taught at by embracing previously unheard or ignored ideas. He was puzzled about the fact that the University of St Andrews would offer a degree on International Political Theory without substantive input on Africa. He filled the gap by offering a module on African political thought. After all, he was a person of action not of talk. It was a pure pleasure sitting in his class listening to this incredibly knowledgeable man – sometimes dressed in his hoodie with the ‘University of Addis Ababa’ print – and discuss with him the thought and action of organic intellectuals such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Frantz Fanon, Thomas Sankara, Julius Nyerere, Walter Rodney and Steve Biko.

It was particularly important for Ian to be in exchange with students and academics from Africa. He taught courses at universities in Botswana, Ethiopia, Uganda and, for almost two and a half decades, at his alma mater in Stellenbosch where he had earned his PhD in the late-1990s. Amongst both students and faculty in St Andrews, his office was legendary for the colourful book walls Ian had erected around his desk. No doubt, his office hosted the biggest Africana library in Scotland. But there were also thousands of books on China, political economy, history, political thought and so on. It was indeed impressive to see the variety of literatures Ian delved into. At some point during my PhD, I simply stopped consulting the university’s library. I would knock on Ian’s office door (which stood wide open most of the time), since there was a good chance he had the book I needed. On the few square metres of open wall that were not covered by books, there were photos of Amílcar Cabral, Antonio Gramsci, Chris Hani and Kwame Nkrumah. It was as if he wanted their eyes to watch his desk on which he carried on, in written form, their struggles for true liberation, social justice and emancipation. In the crowded book shelves, the curious student who visited Ian in his office would spot busts of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Marx, next to souvenirs and gifts from all over the world.

But one would leave Ian’s office not only stunned by its décor but, more importantly, always elevated by his positive spirit and attitude. Ian had an unbelievable gift to make others feel good. With his dry sense of humour, he could turn a shitty day (of which there are usually many in the life of a PhD student) into a brighter day. I remember a message exchange with him about football. Spending his teens in West London, for young Ian it was obvious which team to support. Brentford FC was his choice, since it was in his words a ‘100% local club’ and, he would jokingly add that only ‘the fascists and glory hunters in West London’ would support Chelsea. He was not done wisecracking, as he started to blame me and my tribe for the rather modest performance of his favourite team over the last 80 years. He wrote: ‘Actually, you should feel guilty about this. We were at the top of the First Division in the 1930s and then Adolf started his thing and we’ve been crap ever since… I blame ALL Germans 😀 😀 ’. It was not least funny moments like this that made Ian such a wonderful person to spend time with.

Even after the diagnosis last year, Ian did not lose his positivity but instead remained optimistic and full of zest for action. I recall him expressing his annoyance about Covid-19. The pandemic would not allow him to travel to Africa in 2020 – for the first time since 1992. At the same time, he fully accepted his fate and underwent various therapies with stoic tranquility, despite their heavy side effects. He was immensely grateful for the help he received from the doctors and nurses. It was obvious that his firm belief in God gave him faith no matter what would come.

Two weeks before his death, I visited Ian for the last time, together with Pádraig Carmody, a long-time companion of his. We had an almost light-hearted, very pure time and laughed quite a bit. Jo and Ian showed us the very first issue from 1963 of the Journal of Modern African Studies whose co-editor Ian was. Ian told us stories of his family’s time in Botswana, where their daughter was born, of the time when he hitchhiked from Mauretania to Senegal and of the weekend trips during his stays in Addis Ababa. On Thursdays or Fridays, he would check Ethiopian Airlines’ vast itineraries and book a flight to one of the few African destinations he had not been to. Wanderlust and curiosity were innate to Ian.

Our thoughts and sympathy are with Ian’s family. From all of us to you, Jo, Blythe and Archie: We hope you might find some solace in reading about how Ian inspired and touched so many of us across the world. We wish you strength and faith in the future.

Ian, it is a true honour to have known you. We shall meet again. Until then, we will live off the wonderful memories of you and shall aspire to honour your immense legacy. A luta continua!

Dr. Tim Zajontz , St Andrews Ian’s PhD supervisee (2015-2020), University of St Andrews

What follows are memories and tributes from some of Ian’s former students. If you were taught/supervised by Ian and would also like to pay tribute, you can get in touch HERE .

In the summer of 2010, Ian and I were at a Beijing market that sells all things “old China” to tourists. Browsing at a stall specializing in Cultural Revolution posters, we saw a poster depicting disgraced party leaders. Pointing at the caricatures, and to the utter disbelieve of the stall owner, Ian named each leader. Most Chinese people will struggle to name these old leaders, never mind a ‘lao wai’! Ian was always unassuming and quietly confident. His confidence and belief in my abilities supported me through the ups and downs of my research journey and will always remain with me.

Dr. Steven Kuo , Cape Town Ian’s PhD supervisee (2007-12), University of St Andrews

Professor Taylor had a tremendous impact on my time at St Andrews. Always insightful, the stories he told were something of legend. His classes challenged convention and the commitment he showed to his students was unwavering. I feel enormously privileged to have been taught by Ian and have never met a student of his who would say otherwise. He will be greatly missed.

Jake Eisenecker , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), International Relations of Sub-Saharan Africa (2019-20), University of St Andrews

I came to Ian’s course with little knowledge about African politics and with the utter conviction that regional integration was the unfailing remedy to nationalism. His classes were a true eye-opener. I learnt that regionalism was not always pursued for lofty intentions but used and abused by elites for political incumbency and patronage, all with the complicity of the international community. And I discovered that beneath the fiction of regional organisations lied a whole world of actual regional-building forged by cross-border activities. His class turned out to be my starting point for an academic path dedicated to the study of regionalism ever since.

My fondest memories, however, will be of later years of friendship – of laughing at ourselves, as he was sweating heavily under the thick tweed coat he refused to take off despite us having ordered plenty of spicy Szechuan food.

Dr. Frank Mattheis , Brussels Ian’s student, Political Economy of Southern Africa (2006), Stellenbosch University

Professor Taylor was my PhD supervisor, mentor and friend since I joined him in 2011. He steered me to discover my passion, pushed me out of my timidity, taught me how to defend my position—all while always having my back and keeping an eye out for my security for when I was on fieldwork abroad, or when a company I was researching about wrote to the university in order to sue me. He believed in me—as he did in all his students in whom he invested his time and concern. He believed in our dreams and ambitions. Despite his stature as a world leading authority in his field, he never made any of us feel small at any point in time.

While a lot of supervisors would just put us down on the list of their supervised PhDs and move on, Professor Taylor always took time to keep in touch. Over the last 7 years, I have had the chance to collect memories of him that I will always cherish in the form of the email banters that we will have about everything and nothing. He would always have the right words to comfort me with when I would write to him about my unpleasant professional encounters. He would forever chide me for destroying the wonderful developmental state model that he had in his mind though.

I miss him dearly, even more now that I know that there will be no cheerful email popping up in my inbox to reinstate my faith in the worthiness of fighting for the right thing. He would want us to keep up his legacy. He was my guru and will always remain so.

Dr. Honita Cowaloosur , Port Louis, Mauritius Ian’s PhD supervisee (2010-14), University of St Andrews

I was fortunate enough to have taken two classes on Africa with Ian in my undergraduate years. Those classes triggered my passion for working on and with the continent and I’m glad to have spent five years’ living in various African countries since then. It is fair to say that my personal and professional trajectory was immensely influenced by Ian’s teaching and I remember his intellectual rigour and clarity – underpinned by personal empathy – with great fondness. He left a lasting impression on me as a great teacher and I will treasure his memory dearly.

Peter Lang , Copenhagen Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2010-11), International Relations of Sub-Saharan Africa (2011-12), University of St Andrews

An excellent Scholar and Mentor, Ian was always forthright with his advice and diligent in providing feedback. His dedication to African scholarship and fascination with the continent was unparalleled. Permit me to share only two examples of Ian’s several acts of kindness and steadfast commitment to students’ welfare:

I will never forget Ian’s excitement when I passed my viva in January 2015. On the eve of the examination, he had spent a good part of his afternoon putting me through a mock viva at one of the cafes in St Andrews. On D-day, I had been asked to await the verdict of the examiners after what felt like a gruelling two-hour exchange, and I had gone to Ian’s office for the break. Upon confirmation that I had passed, he screamed yes! and pumped his fist in the air, appearing even much more excited than I was. On our way to the statutory celebratory lunch with my other supervisor, Dr. Gurchaten Sanghera, Ian gleefully informed everyone that I greeted on the way that I had just passed my viva ‘without correction’, much to my amusement. Ian was that warm and committed to the welfare of his students.

After my studies, I had upon return to Nigeria reached out to Ian around 2016 to assist with accessing the academic records of Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, a St. Andrean and prominent Nigerian, who had graduated with a PhD in Mathematics in 1961, and who had required assistance with securing his academic transcript from the University. Without having to bother the Registry myself, Ian had set to work and secured Dr. Olunloyo’s records within days, much to the delight of the Octogenarian who clearly had the fondest memories of his time in Scotland in the late 1950s- early 1960s. Ian was always ready to commit his networks and personal resources to make life better for anyone that he came in contact with.

We have lost a mentor, a most extraordinary Scholar and beloved friend whose life and times enriched our lives. We must carry the torch forward and take on the mantle from where Ian left it. May Ian’s family and friends be comforted and may his kind soul rest in perfect peace. Amen. The world has lost an amazing scholar and human being.

Dr. Babatunde Tolu Afolabi , Nairobi Ian’s PhD supervisee (2011-15), University of St Andrews

Ian Taylor was one of the most exceptional minds I’ve ever had the privilege to learn from. I studied under him during the spring of 2019, while doing my Masters in International Political Theory at the University of St Andrews. That summer, he also supervised my Masters Dissertation. In that time, I was lucky enough to bear witness to the wide scope of his creativity, as he encouraged me to to work beyond the constraints of theoretical conventions and the limits of established disciplines- which ultimately helped set the tone for my work in my PhD. He was an incredibly kind individual whose generosity for sharing his wealth of knowledge was boundless. I will always admire him for his commitment to the shamefully neglected field of African Studies, and be grateful to him for the support and inspiration he provided in my academic career.

Brenden Benjamin , St Andrews Ian’s MLitt supervisee, International Political Theory (2019), University of St Andrews

What I would like to share with everyone at this shitest moment is what Ian said to me when I finally found him on the final submission day of my PhD thesis – I needed his signature for the submission and his phone had no signal whatsoever. And just as I was so anxiously looking for him around our little town, he showed up on North Street, looked at the pale me, and said, “but it’s OK (now you find me)”. And he went on signed my PhD thesis with his signature blue marker on a wheelie bin.

Ian will be remembered a lot more than just a supervisor, but an irreplaceable companion, a friend who always has your back, or to myself, a family member who is just always there. I am sure that sadness is definitely not among one of those things that Ian would like to see from us, rather to be happy, kind, and stay just no matter how messy this world is becoming. Now our dearest supervisor has gone, “but it’s OK”, his spirit remains with us always, and we shall continue to make him proud.

Dr. Cheng Zhangxi , Beijing Ian’s PhD supervisee (2010-16), University of St Andrews

In the brief time that I had the privilege of knowing Professor Taylor, he quickly became my favourite teacher and left a profound impact on me. His wisdom, passion, and kindness were truly inspiring, and I wish I could have told him how strongly his class helped shape my personal views and understanding of the world, far outside the bounds of any academic field. I know he has inspired so many people to match his devotion for fostering a more just world, and he did so at St Andrews (as, I’m sure, everywhere else) with anecdotes and a genuine humour that I will remember fondly. I am so grateful that I am one of the people to be impacted by him for years to come, and he will be greatly missed.

Sara Bollag , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), University of St Andrews

I will remember Professor Ian Taylor most of all for his curiosity. He had an extraordinary observational ability, and approached the world with a desire to know it. His curiosity was grounded in commitment rather than naivety: He was always ready to learn new things and to explore topics from unconventional angles. This resulted in influential and celebrated research, yet his most valuable legacy may come from demonstrating through personal example the importance of making the journey worthwhile.

Prof. Heidi Østbø Haugen , Oslo Ian co-supervised Heidi’s PhD thesis (2009-12), University of Oslo

Entering honours, I was assigned the Politics of Africa module, which was not my first choice and I was sceptical about whether I would enjoy it. However, Professor Taylor’s enthusiasm, passion and knowledge about Africa inspired me to pursue two further modules on African politics and I hope to go on to study the region at master’s level. He was an inspiring man whose critical analysis and all-round world view opened my eyes to so many topics which I had never considered before. He will be greatly missed by everyone, including the students he taught at St. Andrews.

Kirsten Clarke , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), University of St Andrews

Not only was Ian Taylor a great Professor, but he was also one of the kindest and most fascinating people I have had the privilege of meeting. I was fortunate enough to have Ian as an academic advisor in my first year. What started as me attending Ian’s office hours to try and get out of my Spanish module turned into an opportunity to hear Ian discuss his extensive academic adventures. His knowledge and passion about not only Africa, but all aspects of life, was simply infectious. Before I knew it, I was on a plane to South Africa to volunteer in the townships surrounding Stellenbosch. If it wasn’t for Ian’s encouragement, I would not have had the courage to embark on this life-changing experience. Beyond this, Ian was my tutor for the “Politics of Africa” module, as well as my dissertation supervisor. Even during the hardest points of his treatment, he would take the time to send me the most fascinating articles or call me to discuss new ideas he had thought about. I will be eternally grateful to Ian for his advice, knowledge, and wit during my time at St Andrews.

Charlotte Corbett , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), dissertation supervisee (2020-21), University of St Andrews

From the minute we stepped into Professor Taylor’s classroom we were challenged to learn more, criticise more and always to ensure that we pushed ourselves to be our best. Professor Taylor has sparked a passion for Africa in all his students. For me his enthusiasm has shaped my university experience and his guidance has transformed my future plans to become centred around African politics. Without a doubt, Professor Taylor’s inquisitive and questioning nature has inspired us all to think differently about the world around us and to always ask questions to ourselves and to the world.

Isabel Remers , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), University of St Andrews

Professor Taylor taught me in my final year at the University of St Andrews. He was deeply knowledgeable, passionate about his research, hugely supportive in pushing me to challenge myself in my work, and always willing to chat football! He was kind enough to act as a referee for me as I sought both Master’s and PhD opportunities. Ian was intelligent, humble, and supportive of others. He will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace.

Dr. James A. Malcolm , Coventry Ian’s student (AY 2004-05), University of St Andrews

Professor Taylor provided me with my first true introduction to African politics and led one of my favourite courses during my time here at St Andrews. I am indebted for the support he provided me both during his module and for my dissertation. His support and guidance throughout Honours has been instrumental in my academic development at St Andrews.

Erin Llerandi , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), dissertation supervisee (2020-21), University of St Andrews

I was one of Ian’s students in his African Political Thought module and was profoundly inspired by his scholarship, personality and friendship. Ian was very gracious and always willing to mentor students even when he was not their supervisor. He invited me one time to coffee where I discussed with him my research project and he was very kind with his time and gave me important guidance on my research and after our meeting shared with me conferences related with my area of research where I can present my work. I also learned a lot from his African Political Thought course and was impressed by his vast knowledge and experience in and on Africa but that would not intimidate students because of Ian’s delightful character and humility. Ian and I kept in touch until his last days of his illness. Ian always kept others in mind right to the end.

Muhyadin Saed , St Andrews Ian’s student, African Political Thought (2019), Univeristy of St Andrews

I have known Prof. Taylor since 2018 when he agreed to be the co-supervisor for my PhD. It is sad Ian will not be there to see me through the rest of my PhD journey. From the moment I met Ian, he struck me as a top professional in his field, human-centred, strong personality and an affable character. He’s been such a phenomenal mentor and drove me to give of my very best. Not only was Ian concerned about my academic progression, but he showed a lot of love and care for my personal well-being and that of my family. After Ian got to know I am Ghanaian, he shared very fond memories of his time and love for my country (which he had visited with his family). Our last conversation was very insightful and deep, and the memories will live with me for a long time; I was over-joyed when I saw him wrap a nice Ghanaian Kente (a multi-coloured woven African fabric) strapped to his sofa. We shared our common love for pan-Africanism and Nkrumahism, and even planned to have a joint publication on the security dimension of Nkrumah’s pan-African agenda; how sad that this will not see the light of day as Ian’s glorious light dim so early. The foundation Ian has laid for me is strong enough to surge forward and propel me to do great things in honour of his memory. May Ian’s soul rest in perfect peace and may the Lord continue to comfort his wife Jo and two lovely kids.

Patrick Peprah Obuobi , St Andrews Ian’s PhD supervisee (2018-21), University of St Andrews

I was devastated to hear about the passing of Prof. Taylor. Ian was undoubtedly the best and most inspiring professors I have ever had – Master’s included. As well as being legendary in his field, he also instilled belief in my academic ability. I feel incredibly lucky to have had him as my dissertation supervisor and to get such sage life advice from him.

Iona Smith , Amsterdam Ian’s student, International Relations of Sub-Saharan Africa (AY 2019-20), University of St Andrews

Professor Taylor was an incredible man and teacher. He taught me the power of storytelling, and the crucial place that it holds in education and academia. If you want to make an impact, tell the stories of your life. After all, that is how we all learn about the world. And his life stories were quite something! He will be sorely missed but not forgotten, and his influence will continue to inspire the work of all those whom he taught.

Gabriella Hudson , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), University of St Andrews

During the years in which I was Ian Taylor’s PhD student at the University of St Andrews, and the short time since, I had the privilege to have a mentor who was a committed scholar and teacher, and a very kind person. While perhaps a little intimidated at first, I got to know Ian as a supportive supervisor, unpretentious and open, driving every encounter with his many questions. I appreciated the freedom and confidence he gave me to explore research avenues that were not necessarily his own, while, at the same time, I could rely on his straight-forward advice and clear judgement. We also had the chance to meet during his various research and teaching trips to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Ian was well liked and respected. He took time to engage with his students, and delighted in looking for treasures in the little second-hand bookshops. I will miss him very much.

Dr. Katharina Newbery , Leipzig Ian’s PhD supervisee (2014-19), University of St Andrews

Professor Taylor was one of the first tutors I had upon entering honours. I remember being blown away when speaking to him in his office, not just from the volumes of books and busts of African leaders on the walls, but from the well of knowledge and insight he could so easily draw from to guide you. I’ve reminisced about his classes many times with friends; he was truly loved by all of us.

Leo Kelly , Manchester Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), University of St Andrews

With the typically curious and inquisitive mind of an undergraduate IR student, I was encouraged and fascinated by the wealth of knowledge of Professor Taylor. His office felt like a treasure trove and his many personal anecdotes fed into his lessons were always inspiring. Prof. Taylor was my MA thesis supervisor and as such always pushed me to pursue critical and diverse narratives. He seemed unbothered by my lack of academic discipline (deadlines, rules etc) but rather encouraged me to trust my own ability to think – to formulate meaningful, original analyses. This vote of confidence by a mentor and teacher, and shift of perspective from grades-and-deadlines to knowledge and truth-seeking, has had a profound and lasting impact on me. Thankful beyond words!

Martina K. Jefcoat , Tokyo Ian’s student and MA supervisee (AY 2013-14), University of St Andrews

I was sad beyond words to hear of Ian’s sudden death. Due to a huge interest in Global Justice and Africa I was attending his course while visiting the University of St.Andrews for a semester. This course was not only the most fascinating one that I ever attended in 6 years of studying, but also – and even more important – were Ian´s persona, knowledge, passion, kindness, attitude, sense of justice and astonishing charisma of highest inspiration to me and left an incredibly immense impact. In fact, it is a lot due to his teachings and a lovely, very inspiring and encouraging conversation we shared that I found a strong belief in my ideas and a further academic path. He has really been such a constant inspiration for me over the last two years and I feel honored and thankful beyond words for the privilege of having met him. His spirit will forever remain with us. My thoughts are with Ian´s family.

Mia-Sophie Scheurmann , Berlin Ian’s student, The International Relations of Sub-Saharan Africa (AY 2019-20), St Andrews

During my MLitt in International Political Theory at the University of St Andrews, Ian managed to implant in me a great interest in African Political Thought. During the first seminar, he walked in, looked at the Crass (English punk band) logo stitched on my bag and, to my utmost surprise, exclaimed that he had seen them perform live. That set the incredibly awesome and interesting tone of the seminars that followed.

Aristidis V. Agoglossakis Foley , St Andrews Ian’s postgraduate student, African Political Thought (AY 2018-19), University of St Andrews

In my experience with Professor Taylor, I found that his vast breadth of knowledge was only matched by his capacity for laughter and the interest and generosity he showed towards his students and others. I fondly remember walking into his office and his cavern of books and talking a while about African politics and his extensive travels around the world. I feel immensely privileged to have been taught by him and grateful for the curiosity of the world he instilled in me.

Graham Moore , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), University of St Andrews

It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Professor Ian Taylor. I met Ian for the first time in January 2008 when I joined the University of St Andrews’s Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies as a PhD student and he became one of my PhD supervisors. I worked with Ian over many years, including to cover for him when he was on leave. He was kind, caring, compassionate and committed to social justice. Ian believed in me and provided me with a lot of support and guidance in my academic career. Only weeks before his death, he wrote to me asking how my family was doing and how we were coping during lockdown and to say that he hoped that teaching had given me some ideas and opportunities, which showed the kind of a person he was. He has left an immense impact on me. Professor Ian Taylor’s death has deprived us of a brilliant mentor and colleague.

Dr. Patrick Tom , St Andrews Ian’s PhD supervisee (2008-11), University of St Andrews

From sending us endless emails with articles on African current affairs to telling us stories about how he once taught a future dictator, Professor Taylor showed great expertise and passion for his subject. Even though he was an extremely busy and accomplished academic, he always had time for his students and treated us like equals. Marking twenty 5,000-word essays in a week and holding regular office hours where he once told me “it’s only 5,000 words you can do that in no time, don’t stress”. His impact on his students was profound, his module was one of the best that I have ever taken, and I owe my interest in African politics and future in this field to him.

Morgan Brannen , St Andrews Ian’s student, Politics of Africa (AY 2019-20), University of St Andrews

Further tributes paid by some of Ian’s companions from around the world

I had the privilege to conduct fieldwork with Ian in Angola and Zambia in 2019. Ian was surely an academic superstar but he did not act like one. Sporting his iconic Martens shoes and a questionably stylish jacket, he would always turn up at the interview with a notebook and a pen in his hand – the old-school way. With his academic standing and encyclopedic knowledge, he could teach an interviewee a thing or two about Africa’s history, current politics or power dynamics, but Ian always was on the receiving end, listening passionately, making pedantic notes and asking dozens of follow-up questions like a curious student, not an accomplished professor. He always combined this hunger for knowledge with an utmost respect towards an interviewee, whoever it was – an illiterate farmer or a cabinet minister. Ian has taught me that the academic journey is never over, and the more you know, the more questions you should be asking.

Dr. habil. Dominik Kopiński , Wroclaw Ian advised and contributed to one of Dominik’s research projects

I first met Ian when he was a postgrad in Hong Kong, later we were both visiting professors at Stellenbosch for several years. I was proud to be part of Ian’s project ex-Botswana and ex-Uganda with Dr. Pamela Mbabazi on African ‘developmental states’ at the turn of the century. And it turned out that Ian and I went to the same Grammar School in Windsor, albeit a decade or two apart. Ian very generously arranged for my honorary Doctorate at St Andrews 2014. The last time we were together was at an African IR conference at RUDN University in Moscow at the end of February 2020, just ahead of the pandemic. The edited collection from that meeting will include Ian’s paper and will be dedicated to his memory. His legacy lives as one of the pioneers of studies of China and Africa. He will be sorely missed.

Prof. Timothy Shaw , Ottawa Ian put Timothy forward for consideration to receive a Doctor of Letters honoris causa from the University of St Andrews which was awarded in June 2014

I was in the first year of my PhD on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at the University of Manchester when I first met Ian. He was kind enough to make time to meet with me, while on a visit to Manchester, to discuss my research, including my plans for fieldwork in southern Africa. Ian was kind, intelligent and funny, and foresaw all sorts of obstacles I’d encounter. His advice was invaluable, and it helped to set out the strategy for how I would research the SADC. Many years later, after I published an article from my PhD, Ian got back in touch, which meant a lot me. May his legacy live long and may he rest in peace.

Dr. Stephen R. Buzdugan , Manchester Ian provided advice during Stephen’s PhD studies at the University of Manchester

I met Prof. Ian Taylor in his office at St. Andrews as a first year PhD student. Backpacking in Scotland I had just finished reading his book. Intimidated at first, the ice was broken and laughter ensued when his phone ringtone screamed “PICK UP, IT’S YOUR WIFE”. He was exceptionally encouraging and generously shared ideas and books. His support extended to writing me a recommendation letter when I applied to the Institute of Chinese Studies-Harvard Yenching Institute doctoral fellowship and later introducing me to his networks when I was at Peking University and Harvard. I will always be grateful for the kindness he showed me. My deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and friends.

Dr. Veda Vaidyanathan , New York Ian provided advice during Veda’s PhD studies (2013-17)

The excitement of seeking advice from Ian stemmed from never knowing where, or when, his responses would come from; whether late at night, whilst negotiating a remote border crossing – and often through an intermittent internet connection. Regardless of circumstance, you always received a full and enthusiastic response. Ian first agreed to meet when I was completing my PhD at the University of St Andrews, in the School of Geography. His kindness, just like his work, bridged disciplinary divides and he made time to ensure I was prepared for my fieldwork, hours before catching a flight to complete his own. The next time we crossed paths would be a few months later in Cape Town as he headlined the latest Africa-China conference. His ever-present generosity was equalled by his modesty. As an early career academic, I continue to be reminded of the time I dared to refer to him as ‘the expert’, to which he simply replied, ‘there are no experts’. I know his work will continue to be an important source for those beginning their journey into Africa’s international relations, just as it was for me.

Dr. Liam O’Brien , Rutland Ian provided advice during Liam’s PhD studies in the School of Geography, University of St Andrews

Ian was an outstanding scholar who contributed enormously to our understandings of Africa in the world. Ranging from his Gramscian critiques of South African foreign policy to his explorations of Africa’s structural dependency, Ian produced thought-provoking, compelling and, critically, accessible work that will help students and academics for many years to come. I will be forever grateful for the support he gave me when I was just starting out as a doctoral student in Edinburgh. Following a typically excellent talk about his new book about NEPAD at the Centre of African Studies, Ian invited me to visit him in St Andrews to forage through his rich research archive, offering me advice and encouragement along the way. It is precisely this type of support and kindness that helped me, and I’ve no doubt many others, build confidence in their own research paths; it is what made Ian not only a distinguished intellectual but also a brilliant colleague.

Dr. Alex Beresford , Leeds Ian provided advice during Alex’s PhD studies at the University of Edinburgh

Prof. Ian Taylor’s legacy includes his excellent writing, but it is so much more than that. He inspired many junior scholars and I am lucky to be one of them. I had the privilege to conduct fieldwork with Ian in Zambia and Angola. He encouraged me many times in the field and generously connected me to many resources that he thought could be helpful to my PhD research. He taught me things that I would never have learned from elsewhere: his unique sense of humor, optimism, integrity and kindness. I will miss him greatly and I aspire to be like him.

Hangwei Li , London Ian offered advice to Hangwei during her ongoing PhD studies at SOAS, University of London, and the two conducted field research together

Ian Taylor’s work hoovered in African studies in a way that colleagues and students admired and will continue to appreciate. In his email submitting his article on Walter Rodney for publication (pp. 15-26), he pointed out his strong believe in Walter Rodney’s political methodology and Africa-centred epistemology which he noted will continue to have relevance in any study of Africa. Ian was unapologetically radical in his academic pursuits and his engagement was tied to the activism that informed this radicalism. With wide ranging interest in Africa, especially in Botswana where he taught at the University of Botswana for a while, Ian’s interest started and expanded to other regions of the world without abandoning the African connection. He started in Hong Kong, for instance, and soon became a critical voice in China–Africa relations, his interest, of course going beyond the current avalanche of studies inspired largely by recent China–Africa relations that are driven by Belt and Road Initiative and encouraged by pilgrimages by African leaders to the Beijing Summit under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.

Ian had multiple institutional affiliations over the period of his comparatively short career. He however published with CODESRIA, something that identified him not just with the Council but also with Africa and Africans. His 2005 co-edited study The Potentiality of ‘Developmental States’ in Africa: Botswana and Uganda Compared is an example. His review titled “Laughter as the best Medicine: Coping with the Nigerian Tragicomedy” (pp. 4-5) published in CODESRIA’s Africa Review of Books was another example of his continuing engagement with academic work on the continent. This is important. The Council has pushed for African-centered perspectives on Africa. This focus often rubs non-African and non-black scholars of Africa the wrong way because the nature of knowledge production and the division of labour within it that make it almost abnormal for Africans to make this basic claim that is treated as normal for other areas of study. Ian was comfortable with this politics and it is for this reason that we share in his sad passing on. We hope this last article attests to the claims we have made of Ian and speaks to the value he attached to progressive politics that Walter Rodney advanced.

Dr. Godwin Murunga , Nairobi Godwin is the Executive Secretary of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). Ian published a book and several articles in CODESRIA publications. in late-2020 he submitted an article on “The continuing relevance of Walter Rodney” which was published by CODESRIA posthumously.

Ian and I first met in Stellenbosch ten years ago, although we knew of each other long before through common colleagues and because we shared intellectual interests. From our first encounter onwards, we participated together in many seminars and conferences, mainly in Latin America.

Ian visited Rosario for a workshop I organised at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations and wrote a chapter on “Emerging powers and global governance” in a mutilingual book I organized with Clarisa Giaccaglia. The book was published in 2016 under the title “Poderes emergentes y Cooperación Sur-Sur. Perspectivas desde el Sur Global”.

On behalf of the Programme of International Relations and South-South Cooperation (PRECSUR) at the National University of Rosaria, I want to express our sadness about the passing of a great colleague and a good friend.

He was a brilliant scholar, with a warm and gentle character. Always attentive to events in African countries, to systemic change and its consequent reconfiguration of forces. Always willing to participate in any academic project that promotes knowledge and research, without selfishness or egotism. We will miss him, although his legacy will always remain with us.

Prof. Gladys Lechini , Rosario Ian and Prof. Lechini knew each other from workshops and conferences and collaborated on various occassions

It is with much sadness that I heard the news of Prof Ian Taylor’s untimely death. I knew Ian for many years, since the time he came to the Department of Political Science, Stellenbosch University, to read for his PhD in the late 1990s. After graduating in 2000, Ian was instrumental and the catalyst in the informal establishment of what Prof Peter Vale would later refer to as the Stellenbosch critical theory approach. Ian’s dissertation on South Africa’s post-apartheid foreign policy, using a neo-Gramscian analysis was the start and inspired many of us. It was an empirically rich and theoretically sophisticated volume of work, characteristic of his thoroughness in research and a harbinger of the vast volume of articles, chapters, books and edited books which were to follow and which are his lasting legacy. Ian was the epitome of the dedicated scholar, but he was also dedicated to equality, human emancipation and a dignified life for all. During the past 20 years he never wavered once from the values that put him on the path which continued in Stellenbosch, so many years ago. Those that have benefitted from his generosity as an academic, and who he put on their own path of discovery, are numerous. Ian was a Mensch in every sense of the word.

Over the years, he returned to teach in our postgraduate programs, was always available to co-supervise and examine theses and dissertations and, as an extraordinary professor at the department and in our faculty, we regarded him as one of our own. His love of Africa, which he traversed in all wind directions, was honest and genuine. In the last few years, we met less frequently. Unfortunately. There were a few times, when he was here, that I missed connecting with him.

Thinking about those missed opportunities, I am reminded of Seneca’s words: “Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.” This is not how Ian lived. He lived his life to the fullest.

I have fond and rich memories of our conversations. We always connected immediately; he was encouraging, extremely well-read and informed, supportive and he had a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh. He had time and made time for other people. Of Ian it can truly be said that the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long (Lao Tzu). To paraphrase Seneca, we cannot be deceived by our grief, but we must overcome it. Ian would have wanted that. I will miss him.

Prof. Anthony Leysens , Stellenbosch Ian and Anthony have interacted for over twenty years in various capacities

While planning the 2020 conference on Africa and the Formation of the New System of International Relations (AFNSIR), we invited Ian Taylor as a leading expert on North-South relations and were very pleased that he responded favorably and came to Moscow, to Peoples’ Friendship University (until 1992 – named after Patrice Lumumba). First of all, we showed him the RUDN University History Museum with photos of numerous African leaders who frequented the university. On campus, we met a lot of African students, talked with them, they shared their impressions. Jan was pleased that we kept the traditions of solidarity since foundation. I remember him as a real intellectual: externally – modest, internally – very firm in his convictions.

Prof. Denis Degterev , Moscow Ian was one of the keynote speakers at the AFNSIR conference in February 2020 at RUDN University. Denis is Head of Department of Theory and History of International Relations at RUDN Univeristy.

Our Department heard with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that Professor Ian Taylor passed away on 22 February 2021. Ian had long and deep roots with our Department. Not only did he receive his PhD from Stellenbosch, but he has also been an Extraordinary Professor in the Department since 2012.

He became interested in China-Africa relations years before it became vogue and already worked on these issues in his MA thesis, whilst he and Jo were studying in Hong Kong. However, his exceptional ability to contextualize Africa’s position in the global political economy and his empirically sound, yet critical approach made him a popular and sought after lecturer, especially amongst our post-graduate students.

Ian and I became friends in the late 1990s when we shared an office in the Arts and Social Sciences building as PhD students. Prof Scarlett Cornelissen recalls that Ian also enrolled for a short course to acquire a working knowledge of Afrikaans and then used the phrase ‘dis nogal ’n pluimpie!’ Even years after Ian and Jo moved to Scotland, he would still order meals here in Stellenbosch in Afrikaans.

Ian was a prolific writer, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of various countries, notably in Africa based on the incredible number of countries he and Jo visited and to which they subsequently introduced Archie and Blythe to. During their visit to Stellenbosch in 2019, I was, as always, regaled with amazing stories of their recent visit to North Korea. It was impossible to get Ian to walk past a bookshop and it remains a mystery how he got the airlines to take his bags.

As recently as November 2020, Ian expressed the wish to come and teach at Stellenbosch again once he had completed treatment and even asked that we keep him in mind as an external examiner!

Ian, we will miss you.

Prof. Janis van der Westhuizen , Stellenbosch Janis is Head of the Department of Political Science, Stellenbosch University, where Ian earned his PhD and taught for many years

I first met Professor Ian Taylor at the AFNSIR conference at RUDN Univeristy in 2020. As an organizer, I was responsible for receiving foreign speakers and accompanying them to the event. We immediately found a common language with this wonderful scholar and teacher he told me amazing things about Africa and modern world during the conference. I have learned a lot from him. One of the conference days, we went sightseeing in Moscow city-center to see the Red Square. It was drizzling with snow. I offered Ian an umbrella, to which he laughed and replied that in Scotland it is considered good weather. Our young volunteer students also joined us to accompany a delegation of renowned scholars. Ian talked with them on an equal footing, as if they were his own students, he gave them advice and asked everyone about the scientific direction they would like to choose in the future. I will always remember this walk of ours. Ian really liked the museums of the Soviet period, the Kremlin and Lenin’s Mausoleum. It was a terribly cold day and Ian treated us all to hot tea and pancakes as if he was following the long-standing Russian tradition of an open-hearted soul.

We will forever remember Professor Ian Taylor as a brilliant Africanist scholar, a kind and a good person, a real gentleman and an excellent mentor to everyone he met. Ian, you will be sorely missed and remembered with respect and gratitude.

Dr. Nikita Kuklin , Moscow Nikita interacted with Ian during a conference in February 2020 at RUDN University

Ian and I first met in June 2009, at the 3rd European Conference on African Studies (ECAS) in Leipzig. We sat on the panel “‘Beijing Consensus’ versus ‘Post-Washington Consensus’? China’s Impact on Africa’s socio-economic spaces”. Ian was always keen on exchanging views and was very interested in Sovietized Hungary’s policy towards Africa. Leipzig boosted his interest in Central and Eastern Europe, which he had followed with special care already for some time. We, then, agreed that he would visit us one day in Pécs. And he did! Many times, returning with great enthusiasm and advocating Hungarian, Polish and Czech scholarship in African Studies.

Ian kept returning to Pécs, in particular, after he had been introduced to the fine products of the first brewery of the country and the famous wines of the Villány wine region. One of the most important ‘missions’ for him, as he told me the other day, was to help us position Central and Eastern European African Studies in a wider global context and to reach out to young scholars and students to converse with them, encouraging them to engage themselves in debates.

We will always remain grateful for his support and all-time enlightening presence with his scholarly wit and enchanting humour. Ian was never lazy or sluggish to introduce his colleagues, academic contacts, or to say a couple of nice words to some important scientists, diplomats, top university managers to support others’ efforts to get a boost in their research project, publication, or assignment as student.

Ian was a genuinely warm-hearted and open-minded person, who gladly invited our family to his home on our way back from Florida to Hungary. I will never forget when we arrived at their house in Saint Monans on an evening hour early April 2014, and after having realized that we had over 14 suitcases for the forthcoming almost two weeks, he just sighed: “OMG, the Hungarians have invaded us.” During those mesmerising days in Scotland we certainly became closer friends, which I will value forever!

The entire China–Africa research community feels the pain and mourns as Ian Taylor has passed away. All the people who knew him, I am sure, will always remember his critical approach to African politics and the international relations of African countries. Ian will be deeply missed, but forever remain in our hearts and minds! May his soul rest in peace!

Dr. habil. István Tarrósy , Pécs Ian and Dr. Tarrósy colloborated in various capacities

I only met Ian in passing once or twice at conferences, one I believe a State Dept conference on China in Africa or the African Union, and had an email exchange or two years ago. Once I looked into his work and tracked new pieces by him going forward, I was astounded by the breadth and excellence of his opus—like so many others who followed his work.

Although I did not know Ian personally, I will miss him, like so many around the world. My belated condolences and best wishes to Ian’s family and friends.

Nicolas Cook , Washington Congressional Research Service, African Affairs

Last week, I was shocked by the news of Professor Taylor’s sudden death. In 2020, I was lucky enough to meet him when I volunteered at a conference he participated in. Ian Taylor was a wonderful scholar who was happy to share not only the knowledge but also aroused interest in the sphere of his studies. It was equally fascinating to talk to him personally and to listen to his presentation at the conference organized by our department. Professor Taylor was a very kind, positive, and patient person, this is evidenced by the case of his lost luggage at the time of the trip to Moscow. During the conference, Professor Taylor and I visited the airport several times because of organisational issues with customs. He patiently and ironically approached the situation, at the same time, he cheered me during long stays at the airport. It is very sad that such a kind-hearted and talented scholar unexpectedly left our world in his prime. I would like to express my sincere condolences to professor’s family and colleagues.

Alina Jankauskaite , Moscow Alina interacted with Ian during a conference in February 2020 at RUDN University

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