Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk is a Senior Researcher at Historical Trauma & Transformation Studies. Samantha’s work is concerned with questions around dealing with the repercussions of gender violence in post-Apartheid South Africa and transforming harmful patriarchal narratives which underpin such violence. Her research interests include: gender violence and identity; addressing patriarchal trauma; and the psycho-social aspects of women’s agency. Through the facilitation of various public dialogues and internationally recognized symposia, Samantha has promoted broader levels of public engagement with the issue of gender violence.

E-mail: samanthavs@sun.ac.za​ Call: +27 21 808 9742

Current Research Project

Her latest book is titled, Narrative Landscape of Female Sexuality in Africa: Collective Stories of Trauma and Transition (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018). Samantha is leading a major gender research project with tertiary education students in South Africa. The analytical focus is on significant moments of psychological connection between students and the ways in which harmful gendered social conditioning may be disrupted and transformed through dialogues between women and men.​

Recent Publications

Books

Van Schalkwyk, S. (2018). Narrative landscapes of female sexuality in Africa: Collective stories of trauma and transition. Palgrave Macmillan.

Book Reviews

Van Schalkwyk, S. (2021). Domestic violence and psychology: Critical perspectives on intimate partner violence and abuse, by Paula Nicolson. Feminism & Psychology, 0(0), 1-5

Van Schalkwyk, S. (2022). Domestic violence and psychology: Critical perspectives on intimate partner violence and abuse. Feminism and Psychology, 32(2): 291-306