Prof Roelien Goede, director of the Unit for Data Science and Computing at the North-West University (NWU), has been awarded a B1 rating by the National Research Foundation (NRF).
This is in recognition of her contributions to critical systems thinking and its applications in information systems and information systems education.
The B1 rating acknowledges researchers whose work is of high quality and has significant impact, affirming their international standing.
Reflecting on this achievement, Prof Goede highlighted the support she has received from the NWU: “The resources provided by the NWU have been instrumental in my development as a researcher.”
Her work focuses on three interconnected levels: foundational theoretical frameworks, methodologies and practical applications. Her research framework, critical systems thinking, emphasises multiple perspectives to address societal challenges.
Over the past two decades she has used research funding to engage with international scholars and refine her expertise. In 2012, she attended the Lugano Summer School in systems design in Switzerland, which provided opportunities to deepen her understanding and collaborate with global experts.
“These interactions have been crucial in advancing my understanding of critical systems thinking as both a metatheory and a practical methodology,” she notes.
Her research spans Information systems, education, digital transformation and academic management. Prof Goede uses action research and design science research, grounded in critical social theory and critical realism, to address complex issues.
Rating bolsters confidence
She emphasises the importance of her rating in validating her focus on theoretical and methodological contributions alongside practical applications. “This rating strengthens my confidence in working within post-positivistic paradigms and motivates me to begin my monograph project.”
Since earning her PhD in information technology from the University of Pretoria in 2006, she has supervised 12 master’s and eight PhD students, with additional projects underway. She received NWU’s Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award in 2017 for her contributions to advanced computer programming.
On the international stage, Prof Goede was president of the International Society for Systems Sciences for the 2023-2024 term and remains a member of its Board of Trustees. She also works as a national assessor for the UK apprenticeship programme in systems practice and as a visiting scholar at Nottingham Business School.
NWU acknowledges Prof Goede’s contributions to research and mentorship. Her B1 rating reinforces her role in advancing systems thinking and supporting the next generation of researchers.
Prof Roelien Goede.
