RONÉL KOCH
RESEARCH
Since 2019 when I was permanently appointed at UWC, I am proud to report that I published four articles in reputable peer reviewed DHET accredited journals, I have published three peer reviewed book chapters (1 DHET accredited), presented my work at conferences and co-supervised one Masters student to completion.
Below find my top research achievements and evidence of their impact:
PUBLICATIONS
By means of publications I am able to disseminate validated knowledge, ensuring quality and credibility through rigorous review processes by experts in the field. My published articles provide a foundation for further research, influencing policy and practice specifically within the field of sexuality education.
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Articles published in peer reviewed DHET accredited journals (Please click on the respective links below to access the articles).
Story behind the above article: During my visit to the University of Rutgers, Prof. Kyle Farmbry (previously involved with Rutgers University and the prior President of Guilford College, North Carolina, USA) learnt more about my research interest and the focus of my PhD proposal in order to be able to match me with a relevant mentor. The national and international mentor was subsequently identified and, in that way, I was introduced to Prof. Anna Strebel (UWC) and Prof. Stephen Whitney (University of Missouri). Prof. Whitney and myself met without exception on a bi-monthly basis for more than two years where he provided support in the writing of my PhD proposal, the completion of my PhD thesis and academic articles. During this time Prof. Whitney and his Masters student, Ms. Shannise Jones, also included me in a research study they embarked upon on sexual consent. Apart from data collected in the United States, Prof. Whitney also collaborated with a university in Greece, and I was responsible for data gathering in South Africa. This research contributes to a global understanding of how sexual consent is communicated and supports efforts to prevent non-consensual sex.
Please click here to visit my Research Gate profile: www.researchgate.net
Please click here to visit my Google Scholar profile
PEER REVIEWED BOOK CHAPTERS
Farmbry, K., Africa, L., & Koch, R. (2026). Pipeline to partnership: Towards a model for South–North early-career research collaboration. In T. Kupe (Ed.), The dynamics of research partnerships (manuscript under peer review).
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I was invited by the editor to co-author two peer reviewed book chapters in the third edition of a textbook, Life Orientation for South African teachers, published by Van Schaik that is widely used in tertiary institutions to train pre-service Life Orientation teachers across the country.
Nel, M. & Koch, R. 2024. Chapter 1: Introduction. Life Orientation for South African teachers. Edited by Mirna Nel. Published in 2024 by van Schaik publishers. 501 pages.
Nel, M. & Koch, R. 2024. Chapter 2: Pedagogy of Life Skills/Life Orientation. Life Orientation for South African teachers. Edited by Mirna Nel. Published in 2024 by van Schaik publishers. 501 pages.
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I co-authored a chapter in the AOSIS DHET accredited peer reviewed book Future-proofing STEAME Education in South Africa, which offers innovative perspectives on integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and entrepreneurship into education. Our chapter specifically focuses on the wellbeing of teachers who teach these subjects, addresses the challenges of implementing STEAME in classrooms, and explores how these insights could transform science education in South Africa. This book recently received media attention when an article was published on it. There was specific mention of the Chapter I co-authored where it was mentioned that, "the book takes seriously the well-being of teachers. Bureaucratic overload, low salaries, overcrowded classrooms and poor support contribute to burnout, and make it harder for even the most committed educators to innovate. Addressing teacher wellness, the authors argue, must be a central component of any serious reform." Click here to get access to the article. Below are pictures taken at the book launch on 27 June 2025.
Setlhare, R., Koch, R., & Moletsane, M. (2024). The wellness of STEAME teachers. In R. Govender, J. de Beer, R. Maarman, & R. Chetty (Eds.), Future-proofing STEAME education in South Africa. AOSIS.
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I co-authored a chapter for "The Handbook of Wellbeing in Education: Research Transforming Practice". This book is currently in press.
Fredericks, A., Kitching, A.E., & Koch, R. (2026). Enhancing primary school learners’ psycho-social wellbeing in a context of adversity: A co-constructed strategy. In S. Roffey & A. Kitching (Eds.), The handbook of wellbeing in education: Research transforming practice. Edward Elgar Publishing. (In press)
RESEARCH PROJECTS
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I am the Co-Pi of a project on school dropout with professor Sulochini Pather as the Principal investigator. We are working closely together with the WCED. The goal of the research is to investigate in-school factors that leads to school dropout in the Western Cape. This study hopes to provide critical insights that can inform evidence-based interventions and policy reforms aimed at reducing school dropout rates and promoting learner retention in the Western Cape. This project is currently (June 2025) in the data collection phase.
Below is a picture of everyone involved in the project.
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I am the Co-PI of a collaborative project with Linnaeus University in Sweden, focused on Social Justice in Physical Education as part of the Life Orientation subject in South African schools. The Principal Investigator is Dr Sindiswa Shezi. This project involves Linnaeus University, UWC, and NWU, and aims to explore teachers’ understanding of social justice in Physical Education to ensure that it is taught in a socially just and inclusive manner. In June 2025, this project has received ethical clearance at the start of 2026.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
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Through conference presentations I manage to broaden my academic footprint and disseminate important knowledge that I gain throughout research processes I am involved in. I always aim to form networks with academics from other institutions.
Koch, R. Sexual Consent in a South African Higher Education Sample: An Examination of Differences in Conceptualisation and Communication. MYRES2026 Conference, in-person presentation, 30 June 2026.
Two particular highlights stood out from my attendance at MyRes2026. Firstly, this conference marked my first experience chairing a session, an opportunity that allowed me to engage more actively with the presentation and discussion process, facilitate dialogue between presenters and attendees, and gain valuable experience in an academic leadership capacity. The most significant highlight, however, was being awarded Best Paper for my presentation. This recognition was a deeply rewarding affirmation of the rigour and value of my research on sexual consent conceptualisation and communication among university students, and it further motivates my continued contribution to this field of study.
Pather, S; Koch, R. Pushed Out or Left Behind? A Snapshot of School Forces Driving Dropout Rates in South Africa. EASA conference in-person presentation, Stellenbosch, South Africa. 14 January 2026.
Koch, R. Leaving before the finish line: analysing school factors affecting student throughput from secondary schools in the Western Cape. ICERI2025 conference in-person presentation, Seville, Spain. 11 November 2025.
Pather, S; Koch, R; Bottoman, L. Leaving before the finish line: analysing school factors affecting student throughput from secondary schools in the Western Cape. SAERA conference in-person presentation. 5 November 2025.
Pather, S; Koch, R. Khanare, F; Moodley, T & Setlhare, R. 2025. Partnerships and Research on Inclusion, Diversity and Social Justice. SAERA conference in-person presentation. 4 November 2025.
Koch, R. 2022. Co-Constructing A Praxis with Adolescents to Support Educators in the Teaching of Comprehensive Sexuality Education. SAERA conference virtual presentation. 26 October 2022.
Koch, R. 2022. Adolescents' lived experience of comprehensive sexuality education in South Africa. SAERA conference virtual presentation. 26 October 2022.
Koch, R. 2019. Children need adults’ freedom to be free: Adolescent girls’ cry for mutualsexual emancipation. Sexual reformation? Theological and ethical reflection on humansexuality. Stellenbosch, South Africa. 6-7 May 2019.
POST GRADUATE SUPERVISION TO COMPLETION
Fredericks, Angelo. 2025. Masters thesis in Educational Psychology with the title, "Co-constructing a strategy to enhance learners’ psycho-social wellbeing in a primary school in Manenberg, South Africa". Graduated 11 April 2025. I was the co-supervisor with Prof Ansie Kitching being the main supervisor. Prof Kitching, Mr Fredericks and myself submitted a chapter for a book called, "Handbook of Wellbeing" and is currently under peer review (end of May 2025).
ONGOING POST GRADUATE SUPERVISION
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Since 2016 I have successfully supervised a total of 23 honours students to completion. I am currently supervising a total of 5 Masters students and 3 PhD's.
Blouw, Lorenzo. Exploring Stakeholder Perspectives on the Developmental Impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Rural School Communities: A Qualitative Study in the Witzenberg Municipality. (PhD)
Bottoman, Likho. The educational needs of learners who drop out of school in the
Western Cape: A Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL) perspective. (PhD)
Da Graca, Anuschka. Exploring school-based factors related to secondary school dropout in the Western Cape: A quantitative analysis. (Masters)
Julies, Keziah Judah. Exploring school factors associated with school dropout in the Western Cape. (Masters)
Losper, Marilyn. An investigation of the effectiveness of the support offered by School Management Teams on Psychological Wellness of Educators in Western Cape Township Schools. (Masters)
Satardien, Yaasir. Exploring how poverty affects the education of Western Cape foundation phase learners: Teachers’ perspectives. (Masters)
Shunmugam, Sanchia. Investigating the impact of sexuality education on teenage boys’ sexual health in South Africa: A qualitative study. (Masters)
Veerasamy, Sunkiree. Exploring teachers' perceptions of nurturing character strengths to enhance the well-being of autistic adolescents in Western Cape schools. (PhD)