Staff Reporter
Science & feminism: a winning formula
Professor Catriona Ida Macleod is a hero of women in South Africa, Africa, and the world. Macleod has dedicated her life to the promotion and protection of sexual and reproductive rights for women.
In 2012 Mcleod founded the Critical Studies in Sexuality and Reproduction (CSSR) department at Rhodes University which has conducted critical research that delays in the attainment of full sexual and reproductive rights for all. The CSSR is funded by the NRF. Drawing on feminist, postcolonial and post structural theory, the research supplements traditional public health research with a critical focus on the technologies of representation and intervention that lead to the continuation or discontinuation of sexual and reproductive health inequities. A range of studies are conducted within the broad ambit of sexuality and reproduction, including on sexuality education, sexual violence, contraception, reproductive decision making, pregnancy support, alcohol use during pregnancy, termination, early reproduction, abortion counseling, and sexual and reproductive health services.
The CSSR’s work has been used to inform several policy documents in SA, and its work has been presented to the US Congress. Macleod sits on the national task team for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Strategy Framework, and has served as a member of the panel of experts for the World Health Organisation’s Geneva meeting on ‘Adolescent pregnancy . With an NRF B1-rating, Macleod is the author and editor of four books, including a multi-award-winning book published by Routledge in 2011. A feminist research scientist, Professor Catriona Macleod is registered with the Psychological Society of South Africa, and is a Fellow and previously Council member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. She serves on the editorial board of established journals like Gender & Society and Qualitative Research in Psychology. She is an international editorial advisor for the Journal of Australian Psychologist. She is also a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and chair of CSSR. Macleod is also the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Feminism & Psychology, the Vice-Chair of the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition Board, and the executive committee member of the International Society of Critical Health Psychology, and the International Society of Theory and Psychology.
*Feminist research scientist, Professor Catriona Macleod is registered with the Psychological Society of South Africa, and is a Fellow and previous Council member of the Academy of Science of South Africa. She serves on the editorial board of established journals like Gender & Society and Qualitative Research in Psychology. She is an international editorial advisor for the Journal of Australian Psychologist. She is also a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and chair of CSSR. Macleod is also the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Feminism & Psychology, the Vice-Chair of the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition Board, and the executive committee member of the International Society of Critical Health Psychology, and the International Society of Theory and Psychology.
