Women in Science Africa

Menu
  • Woman of Impact
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Perspective
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Podcast
  • Youth
Women In Science Logo
  • Subscribe Newsletter
  • Scientists Directory
Women in science logo
The African Scientists Directory
Menu
  • Woman of Impact
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Perspective
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Podcast
  • Youth
Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

Pope Francis appoints Prof Pearl Sithole to Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

wins by wins
September 23, 2021
in News, Weekly Top Five
Pope Francis appoints Prof Pearl Sithole to Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsApp

Social scientist and Vice-Principal: Academic and Research on the Qwaqwa Campus, Prof Pearl Sithole, was appointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences for her stellar work in social sciences. 

Academicians are appointed by the Pope on the basis of their competencies in the social sciences and their moral integrity.

Prof Sithole said she was looking forward to sharing meaning and impact with the world through a space dedicated to the social sciences. “It’s a great honour. I’m feeling really humbled. The social sciences and humanities are a hugely necessary space to make meaning of the world, but for some reason, in the pecking order, they were relegated to a space that is thought of last. This appointment is to a dedicated space – to say, let’s look at issues through that lens.”

prof pearl sithole copy1
Prof Pearl Sithole

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established by Pope John Paul II in 1994 with the aim of promoting the study and progress of the social sciences, primarily economics, sociology, law, and political science. To achieve its aims, the academy organises conferences and workshops on specific themes, promotes scientific surveys and research, and publishes publications. 

Prof Sithole said the academy provides a wonderful way of reminding academicians of the importance of relating science to the real world. 

“What I like about it is that it demystifies science. It says, be excellent in your field but be able to converse for impact, be able to come to a forum that worries about specific issues, it still encourages publications and pure science/scientific endeavours, advancements in their field, but sometimes people come together to look at an issue from various angles. For me, it’s such a wonderful way of saying we must remember that we are doing science in order to relate to the world, not just to understand for the sake of understanding,” she said.

20200918091423 6121215b me

The appointment also coincides with Women’s Month, and Prof Sithole said she takes great pride in her womanhood. 

“I am a mother and a daughter. I strive to pinpoint problems and offer solutions. I am a social scientist. I’ve made it a mission to study how systems affect people by infusing humanity within the systems. Women have been made to be apologetic about the qualities that define us as women, which we bring especially into leadership. I don’t apologise for my emotions. I don’t apologise for my multitasking abilities; however, I do feel that women are often abused for having these.”

pearl sithole

What would you say makes you a UFS woman of quality, impact, and care?

I am the sort of person who strongly believes that your work should speak for itself. I don’t work for accolades. My approach to life is to work genuinely to make a difference, and your work will speak for itself. If you wake up every day to genuinely make a difference, it is enough. You get a lot of satisfaction in life, and you sleep better because you know you have given it your best, and you know that sometimes you can actually see it making a difference.

What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?

I would say, be true to yourself. At a younger age, you want to chase all sorts of aspirations that look glamorous, which is not a bad thing, because you have to have appetite; but in your appetite for excellence and as someone who lives for a purpose, be true to yourself. Be able to design a life that aspires, but at the same time be adaptable to what you discover your strengths to be.

Tags: Prof Pearl Sitholescience and technologySTEMWomen in Science Africa

Related Posts

Researching the effects of high fructose consumption on memory and learning capabilities
Woman of Impact

Researching the effects of high fructose consumption on memory and learning capabilities

October 7, 2024
TechnoGirl Trust: Empowering Women in STEM for Societal Development
News

TechnoGirl Trust: Empowering Women in STEM for Societal Development

October 4, 2024
South African women at higher risk of perinatal depression
Analysis

South African women at higher risk of perinatal depression

October 4, 2024
Next Post
South Africa to receive first one million batch of Covid-19 vaccine today

Why vaccines, and not ivermectin, will be our only possible way out of the pandemic

Categories

Search

No Result
View All Result
Women in science logo

Women in Science is the continent’s premier platform for women scientists. A space for Africa’s growing community of female scientists to find support, networks and a home for their ideas and achievements to take root and grow. Published by Media Torque and Events PTY Ltd ……….. Read more

SECTIONS

  • Women of Impact
  • Analysis
  • Podcast
  • News
  • Perspective
  • Youth
  • Jobs and Careers
Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

MORE ON WOMEN IN SCIENCE

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Publications
  • Collaboration Opportunities

SUBSCRIBE

game changing science from women in science
  • African Scientists Directory

Copyright: Women In Science Africa 2024

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.