Professor Ylva Rodny-Gumede is the Head of the Division for Internationalisation and a Professor in the School of Communication at the University of Johannesburg. She is also a Senior Associate Researcher with the Stanhope Centre for International Communications Policy Research at the London School of Economics. She holds a PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London University as well as an MA degree in Politics from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and an MA in Journalism from Cardiff University in the U.K.
Professor Rodny-Gumede has worked in journalism, marketing and PR and has consulted for several government, private and academic institutions in Europe and Southern Africa including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education. She has also worked as a researcher and project officer for the U.S. National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
Professor Rodny-Gumede has held fellowships at Universities in South Africa and abroad, and she is actively involved in teaching and learning development including broader curriculum development initiatives at institutional, national and international level, most recently through the Teaching Advancement at Universities (TAU) fellowship. She is a member of the University of Johannesburg Senate and has served on several Senate as well as faculty Committees. She holds a C 3 rating from the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and is the current President of the Southern African Communications and Media Association (SACOMM).
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Books
2019 Swart, M & Rodny-Gumede, Y. (Eds.) Marikana Unresolved. JUTA: Cape Town.
Articles and chapters
2021 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Transformation, fragmentation and decolonisation: The contested role of the media in postcolonial South Africa. In Handbook on decolonisation of political communication in Africa, edited by Beschara Karam and Bruce Mutsvairo. London: Routledge. Forthcoming.
2020 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Metaphors of transformation of education and fitness for purpose: Towards a humanizing agenda. South African Journal of Higher Education, 34(1).
2020 Chasi, C. & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Reimagining the University as a Transit Place and Space: A Contribution to the Decolonialisation Debate. In Down, B. & Steinberg, S.R. (Eds.) The SAGE Handbook of Critical Pedagogies. Newbury: SAGE. Forthcoming.
2020 Chasi, C. & Rodny-Gumede, Y. 2020. Ubuntu, innovation and decolonisation in media and communication studies. In Hoechsmann, M & Carr, P & Thesee, G. Democracy 2.0: Media, Political Literacy and Critical Engagement. Brill Publishers. Forthcoming.
2020 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Chasi, C. Rethinking peace journalism in light of ubuntu, in Media, Conflicts and Peace building in Africa, edited by Admire Mare and Jacinta Maweu. London: Routledge. Forthcoming.
2020 Chasi, C and Rodny-Gumede, Y. Innovation in media and communication studies: Reflections from South African academics, Communicatio. Forthcoming.
2020 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Expanding comparative media systems analysis from transitional to postcolonial societies, International Gazette. Published online 23 January. (ISI accredited).
2020 Rao, S & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Gazing past the glass ceiling: Indian and South African female journalists' perceptions of their role and power in the newsroom, Global Media and Communication, 16(1). (IBSS accredited)
2020 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Reporting Marikana: What went wrong and has it changed South African journalism? In Marikana Unresolved Edited by Mia Swart and Ylva Rodny-Gumede. JUTA: Cape Town.
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The fourth industrial revolution, the changing world of work and imperatives of internationalisation in higher education. The Thinker, Issue 82 November 2019. http://www.thethinker.co.za/resources/Thinker_82/82%20gumede.pdf
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Undercover reporting, The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies.
2019 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. No Pain No Gain? Reflections on decolonization and higher education in South Africa, Africa Education Review. Vol 16 (5): 120-133. (DoHet accredited).
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. A teaching philosophy of journalism education in the global South: A South African case study, Journalism, Theory, Practice and Criticism. Vol 19(6): 747-761. (ISI accredited)
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Bridging critical and administrative research paradigms in the interest of a politically engaged African research agenda. In Palgrave handbook on media and communication research in Africa, edited by Bruce Mutsvairo. London: Palgrave, pp. 177-194.
2018 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Decolonising Communication Studies: Advancing the discipline through fermenting participation studies, In Palgrave handbook on media and communication research in Africa, edited by Bruce Mutsvairo. London: Palgrave, pp. 55-71.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Fake it till you make it: The role and impact of fake news on the media-politics nexus. In Perspectives on political communications in Africa, edited by Bruce Mutsvairo. London: Palgrave, pp. 203-219.
2018 Gudipaty, N & Lago, C & Pasti, S & Xu, Y & Li, X & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Gender: Moving towards professional equality, in The BRICS Journalist in the Age of Net Mobility, edited by Svetlana Pasti and Jyotika Ramaprasad pp. 104-129.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Towards new co-creational approaches for research and supervision in professional journalism degree programmes, African Journalism Studies. Vol 38 (3&4): 100-117. (DoHet accredited)
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Chasi, C. Ubuntu values individuals: An analysis of eulogies of Mandela, Journal of Literary Studies. Vol 33 (4): 106-123. (DoHet accredited)
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Ubuntu and the cinematic dramaturgy of Elelwani, Communitas. Vol 22 (1): 16-30. (DoHet accredited)
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The centrality of media hearings to transitional justice processes, in Limits to transition: A Critique of the TRC, edited by Karen van Merle and Mia Swart. Leiden; Boston: Brill Nijhof publishers, pp. 253-281.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Milton, V & Mano, W. Rethinking the link between Media and Democracy in the post-colony: One size does not fit all. Communicatio, Vol 43 (2):1-9. (DoHet accredited)
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Questioning the media-democracy relationship: The case of South Africa, Communicatio. Vol 43 (2): 10-20. (DoHet accredited)
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Social media and the re-affirmation of the role of 'journalism': Cursory notes on the potential for widening the public sphere in a postcolonial society, Interactions: Studies in Communication and Culture. Vol 8(2&3): 169-187. (Scopus)
2017 Chasi, C and Rodny-Gumede, Y. High deception in Higher education, in Deception: Motivations, Recognition Techniques and Behavioral Control, edited by Innocent Chiluwa. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The impact of social media on journalism, in P.J. Fourie Media studies Vol 4: Social (new) media and mediated communication today. Cape Town: Juta, pp. 267-292.
2017 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Of despots and saints: Towards a nuanced understanding of African leadership through the analysis of eulogies of Mandela, in Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela: Decolonial Ethics of Liberation and Servant Leadership, edited by Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni & Busani Ngcaweni. New York: Africa World Press.
2016 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Ubuntu journalism and nation-building magic, Critical Arts. Vol 30(5): 728-744. (DoHet accredited)
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Chasi, C. The truth and nothing but the truth: A re-affirmation and re-evaluation of undercover journalism practices, African Journalism Studies. Vol 37(3): 107-128. (DoHet accredited)
2016 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Smash and grab, truth and dare…, International Communication Gazette. Vol 78 (7): 694-700. (IBSS accredited)
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Awareness towards Peace Journalism among Foreign Correspondents in Africa, Media and Communication. Vol 4 (1): 80-93 (Scopus)
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Coverage of Marikana: War and conflict and the case for peace (journalism), in Conflict in Area studies. Routledge. http://explore.tandfonline.com/page/ah/conflict-research-collection/in-area-studies#31572
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. 2015. Male and female journalists' perceptions of their power to influence news agendas and public discourses, in Gender issues in Communication. Routledge. http://explore.tandfonline.com/page/ah/gender-issues-in-communication
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Re-conceptualising the analysis of trajectories of media development in post-colonial societies, Global Media and Communication. Vol 11(2): 131-146. (IBSS accredited)
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Gender and public discourse formation in South Africa: Male and female journalists' influence on news agendas, Communicatio: South African journal for Communication Theory and Research. 41(2): 206-219 (DoHet accredited)
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y.South African journalists' conceptualisation of professionalism and deviations form normative liberal values. Communicare 33(2): 54-69. (DoHet accredited)
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. An assessment of the public interest and ideas of the public in South Africa and the adoption of 'Ubuntu journalism', Journal of Media Ethics. Vol 30 (2): 109-124. (ISI accredited)
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Coverage of Marikana: War and conflict and the case for peace (journalism), Social Dynamics: A Journal of African Studies. Vol 41(2): 359-374. (ISI accredited)
2015 Swart, M & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Introduction: Considering the aftermath of Marikana, Social Dynamics. Vol 41 (2): 323-326. (ISI accredited)
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Hyde-Clarke, N. Conducting online research and the use of online sources: South African journalist practices. In Online Journalism in Africa. Edited by Mabweazara, H. New York: Routledge, pp.104-120.
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Challenges of Teaching Journalism at the University of Johannesburg. Rhodes Journalism Review 34.
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Book review of Brown, R. (2013) A native of nowhere: The life of Nat Nakasa (Jacana) in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Vol 35 (3): 120-122.
2013 Ogola, G. & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Current quality levels in the journalism of South Africa and Kenya.In The Future of Quality News: A cross continental analysis. Edited by Anderson, J & Ogola, G & Williams, M. New York: Routledge, 227-247.
2013 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The local in the global: Challenges of teaching global journalism. Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies. Vol 34 (2):128-141. (ISI accredited)
2013 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Book review of Shaw, I & Lynch, J & Hackett, R. (Eds). (2011) Expanding peace journalism (Sydney University Press) in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies Vol 34 (2).
2012 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Race, class and gender and the transformation of the South African news media. Journal of Gender and Religion in Africa. December 2012 Vol 18: 159-176. (DoHet accredited)
2012 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Peace journalism and the usage of online sources. Communicare, October 2012, Vol 31: 57-74. (DoHet accredited)
2011 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Analysing ethics and political bias in South African news media. In Communication and Media Ethics in South Africa. Edited by Hyde-Clarke, N. Cape Town, SA: Juta, 147-175.
2010 Rodny-Gumede,Y. Book review of Daya K. Thussu (Ed.) (2009) International Communication a Reader (Routledge) in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies, Vol 31(2):248-252.
2010 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Book review of Daya K. Thussu (Ed.) (2009) Internationalizing Media Studies: Impediments and imperatives (Routledge) in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies, Vol 31(2): 248-252.
Articles, opinion pieces and reports in popular media and journalism/media magazines
2020 Rodny-Gumede, Y. How universities can use the coronavirus outbreak to promote regionalisation. Mail&Guardian, 11 March. https://mg.co.za/article/2020-03-11-how-universities-can-use-the-coronavirus-outbreak-to-promote-regionalisation/
2020 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Transform campuses, transform society. Mail&Guardian, 7 February. https://mg.co.za/article/2020-02-07-transform-campuses-transform-society
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Prepare for the unknown 'unknowns'. Mail&Guardian, 22 November. https://mg.co.za/article/2019-11-22-00-prepare-for-theunknown-unknowns
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. We need more international students in SA universities, not fewer. Sunday Times, 22 September. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/opinion-and-analysis/2019-09-22-we-need-more-international-students-in-sa-universities-not-fewer/
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. What is the real value of a doctoral degree?, Mail&Guardian, 27 June. https://mg.co.za/article/2019-06-27-what-is-the-real-value-of-a-doctoral-degree
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Honouring the superheroes of our democracy, The Journalist, 25 June.
http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/honouring-the-superheroes-of-democracy
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Obituary Raymond Louw, The Journalist, 25 June.
http://www.thejournalist.org.za/pioneers/raymond-louw-editor-journalist-and-activist
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y South Africa needs to think differently. Mail&Guardian, 8 March.
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Cyberattacks on female journalists threaten everyone. https://mg.co.za/article/2019-03-06-cyberattacks-on-female-journalists-threaten-everyone. Mail&Guardian, 6 March.
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Journalists listed in Agrizzi's 'little black book'. http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/journalists-listed-in-agrizzis-little-black-book, The Journalist, 29 January.
2019 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Hugh Lewin: Bandiet, Activist, Author and Journalist. http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/hugh-lewin-bandiet-activist-author-and-journalist, The Journalist, 28 January.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Lando, A L. Media and communication in Africa: Towards a collaborative agenda. http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/african-communication-academics-gather-in-ghana. The Journalist, 28 November.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Journalism tops list of most dangerous professions in the world, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/journalism-tops-list-of-most-dangerous-professions-in-the-world. The Journalist, 28 November.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. News media need to save face, https://mg.co.za/article/2018-11-02-00-news-media-needs-to-save-face, the Mail&Guardian, 2 November.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The 'old boys club' and glass ceilings for women in the SA news media, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/the-old-boys-club-and-glass-ceilings-for-women-in-the-sa-news-media, The Journalist, 30 October.
2018 Chasi, C and Rodny-Gumede, Y. How to combat 'media capture', http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/how-to-combat-media-capture, The Journalist, 30 October.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. African journalism: From idealism to cultural expressionism, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/african-journalism-from-idealism-to-cultural-expressionism, The Journalist, 26 September.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Why cooperation between the "hard" and "soft" sciences is key: lessons for SA, http://aftruth.com/cultural/why-cooperation-between-the-hard-and-soft-sciences-is-key-lessons-for-sa/, 1 September.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Industry 4.0 and the future of the humanities, Mail&Guardian, 31 August. https://mg.co.za/article/2018-08-31-00-the-future-is-with-us-rethink-it
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. `Peace journalism` can help promote non-violent elections in Africa, Cape Times, 1 August.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Opinion: How peace journalism can help cover elections in Africa. EyeWitnessNews, 31 July, https://ewn.co.za/2018/07/31/opinion-how-peace-journalism-can-help-the-media-cover-elections-in-africa
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. How peace journalism can help the media cover elections in Africa. The Conversation, 30 July, https://theconversation.com/how-peace-journalism-can-help-the-media-cover-elections-in-africa-100605
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The role of the news media in reporting on conflict. The Journalist, 25 July, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/journalism-in-sadc-from-autocracy-to-democracy
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. News gathering has changed from Fourth Estate journalism. Sunday Independent, 15 July. https://www.iol.co.za/news/opinion/journalism-has-been-hit-by-new-forces-but-is-adapting-16033886
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Forging transparent, caring journalism. AfroVoice, 11 June.
2018 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Future proofing journalism. The Journalist, 29 May, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/future-proofing-journalism
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. The lifeblood of the political beat: SONA in the media and the #SPHERE, The Journalist, 22 February, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/the-lifeblood-of-the-political-beat.
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Fake news: SA's nasty new media business? Here's how we kill it, Biznews, 6 February, http://www.biznews.com/thought-leaders/2017/02/06/fake-news-media-business
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Fake news: the internet has turned an age-old problem into a new threat. NewZealand Herald, 5 February. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11795238
2017 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Fake news: the internet has turned an age-old problem into a new threat. The Conversation, 2 February. https://theconversation.com/fake-news-the-internet-has-turned-an-age-old-problem-into-a-new-threat-72111
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Between journalist and activist. The Journalist, 14 November, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/between-journalist-and-activist
2016 Rodny-Gumede, Y & Chasi, C. The truth and nothing but the truth: Re-affirming undercover journalism practices. The Journalist, 12 October, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/the-truth-and-nothing-but-the-truth
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y and Chasi, C. Revealing uncomfortable truths, AllAfrica. Com, 17 November, http://allafrica.com/stories/201511201591.html.
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Marikana masacre: How South African journalism failed the test. Mail&Guardian, 25 November, http://mg.co.za/article/2015-11-25-marikana-massacre-how-south-african-journalism-failed-the-test
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. In search of the truth: Investigative journalist's fearelss pursuit of justice, The journalist, 25 November, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/the-craft/in-search-of-the-truth
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Marikana massacre: how South African journalism failed the test. The Conversation, 25 November, https://theconversation.com/marikana-massacre-how-south-african-journalism-failed-the-test-51130
2015 Chasi, C & Rodny-Gumede, Y. Revealing uncomfortable truths: De-colonizing higher education, a challenge to academic scholarship. The Journalist, 18 November http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/revealing-uncomfortable-truths
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Have we reached the end of journalism? Adapting in the face of rapid social and technological change. The journalist, 16 October, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/have-we-reached-the-end-of-journalism
2015 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Have our leaders read the Constitution? The journalist, 21 March, http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/have-our-leaders-read-the-constitution
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Ett inlagg i debatten on universitets utbildningen i Sydafrika efter apartheid (transl. A comment on university education in South Africa post apartheid). Universitetsläraren 11. http://www.sulf.se/Universitetslararen/Arkiv/2014/Nummer-11/Fordomsfullt-om-sydafrikanska-universitet/
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Covering the Balkan's. Prufrock Vol 2(4).
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Lack of transformation in South African news rooms. South African Media report. Fredrich Eberhart Stiftung.
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Women's voices missing in public discourse. SABC Online, http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/7ff136004605f141abbdeb6c1fa77d05/Womens-voices-missing-in-public-discourse.
2014 Rodny-Gumede, Y. Women's voices missing in public discourse. The Journalist, October 29. http://www.thejournalist.org.za/news/womens-voices-missing-public-discourse