Lars Guenther – The Conversation

Professor Salim Abdool Karim became one of the most visible scientists in South Africa during the COVID pandemic. Photo by Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images

March 12, 2025

New survey explores what people in South Africa expect of publicly visible scientists – why it matters

Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University; Lars Guenther, Stellenbosch University, and Simone Rödder, University of Hamburg

When asked to name a living scientist from their own country, more than half of the respondents in both countries did not reply.

Professor Glenda Gray was the most visible female scientist in South African media coverage during the first six months of COVID. South African Medical Research Council

June 26, 2022

Male voices dominated South African COVID reporting: that has to change

Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University; Lars Guenther, Stellenbosch University, and Lili Rademan, Stellenbosch University

Journalists may unwittingly perpetuate the notion that men are the only experts worth listening to. This limits the visibility of women in science.

Science communication puts research under the microscope. Shutterstock

August 3, 2016

Science communication is on the rise – and that’s good for democracy

Peter Weingart, Stellenbosch University; Lars Guenther, Stellenbosch University, and Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University

Science communication has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 60 years. It plays a crucial role in democratising science and making it less mysterious.

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