Prof Stuart Piketh from the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management in the School of Geo and Spatial Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) was recently honoured with the prestigious National Association for Clean Air (NACA) Golden Award during the annual NACA conference.
The NACA Golden Award serves as recognition not only of his personal achievements, but also of the positive impact on the broader scientific community, society, and the future of air quality research and advocacy. His lifetime contribution to the field of air quality is a testament to his dedication, leadership, and academic prowess.
He says academic excellence, leadership roles, international recognition, collaborative initiatives, practical advocacy and mentorship are the key aspects that propelled him to this prestigious recognition.
With a focus on the transport of aerosols and trace gases over southern Africa, Prof Piketh's academic journey began with his doctoral research. Since then, he has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, shedding light on pressing air quality issues in the southern African region. His academic contributions have made him a leading figure in the annual NACA conference, where he has significantly shaped the academic programme.
His leadership within the academic sphere has also been pivotal. Prof Piketh is currently the director of the School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, and was president of the NACA from 2017-2020, which further underscores his role in policy-making and clean-air initiatives.
Prof Piketh is internationally acknowledged for his research and has a B2 rating from the National Research Foundation He is also actively involved in steering committees of leading international bodies related to atmospheric chemistry.
He has successfully fostered collaborations with several national and international funding bodies, highlighting the trust and magnitude of projects aimed at addressing air pollution. Engagements with institutions such as Eskom, SASOL, the World Bank, and European partners have been instrumental in his efforts.
Beyond academia, Prof Piketh also actively collaborates with entities like the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment for practical, actionable change. He has also played influential roles in steering committees like the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project and the International Commission of Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution.
He is passionate about nurturing the next generation of researchers. He has supervised more than 50 master’s and 15 doctoral students, many of whom have attained leadership positions in government, industry, and academia.
“The substantial impact on the scientific community and society at large can be captured through scientific advancements, international collaborations, policy inputs, educational impacts, practical solutions implemented in South Africa, and public awareness campaigns. My work has not only contributed to the scientific understanding of air quality but also spurred real-world changes for the betterment of society,” he says.
Prof Stuart Piketh addresses the audience after receiving the esteemed NACA Golden Award for his lifetime dedication to air quality at the annual NACA Conference.
