Degrees Held
- Bachelor of Arts (University of Natal)
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (University of Natal)
- Master of Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
- Doctor of Philosophy (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Bio
Eliza Govender an NRF rated researcher, is an Associate Professor and Academic Leader of the Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS), in the School of Applied Human Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She teaches social change and health communication. Her research interests include entertainment education, communication for social and behavioural change and participatory culture-centred methodologies for health communication and implementation science research. Her specific research centres on the use of a participatory action research approaches (PAR) and a culture-centred approach to advance HIV combination prevention. Govender was recipient of the NRF three -year Thuthuka grant that utilises a socio-ecological framework to explore a multi-layered tailored communication approach for new biomedical innovations. During her time as a social scientist at CAPRISA, Govender was co-principal investigator (PI) for the Oral PrEP Demonstration Project (CAPRISA 084). Govender has been an advisor on several communication committees and task teams on strategic social and behavior change communication for HIV prevention. She is a member of the editorial board of the journal Communicare, a Review Editor for Frontiers in Communication: Journal of Culture and Communication and vice-chair of the Health Communication working group for the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR). Govender is also part on the KZN DOH committee for developing and implementing the provincial Health Promotion Strategy for COVID-19.
Research Interests
- Communication for development and social change
- participatory culture-centred methodologies
- strategic HIV communication
- social and behavioural change communication
- entertainment education
Teaching Interests
- Qualitative research methodologies
- Communication for development and social change
- strategic HIV communication
Selected Publications
- Nota, P., Govender, E.M., Yukapi, Y. (2020) “Male-supported female-initiated”: Exploring a cultural message for communicating around new HIV prevention technologies for women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Communicare, Vol 39 (1). pp 18-32.
- Mbewe, L., Govender, E.M. (2020) Male partner’s influence on female’s acceptance and use of PrEP products across two high HIV burdened urban and rural districts in South Africa. African Journal of AIDS Research, DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2020.1727932.
- Eliza Govender & Quarraisha Abdool Karim (2018) Understanding women and men’s acceptability of current and new HIV prevention technologies in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, AIDS Care, 30:10, 1311-1314, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1488027. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09540121.2018.1488027.
- Govender, E.M., Mansoor, L.E., MacQueen, K., Abdool Karim, Q. (2017). The impact of Secrecy, Empowerment and Protection on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Adherence: Lessons from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 19:11, 1268-1285, DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2017.1309682. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13691058.2017.1309682?src=recsys
- Govender, E.M., Mansoor, L.E., & Abdool Karim, Q. (2017). Influences of geo-spatial location on pre-exposure prophylaxis use in South Africa: positioning microbicides for better product uptake, AIDS Care, 29:6, 734-740, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1248349. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09540121.2016.1248349
- Govender, E.M and Reddy, S. (2014). The Only Media We Know: Empowering Young People for Social Change. The African Communication Research Journal. Vol 7 (1).
- Cardey, S., Govender, E., Dyll-Myklebust, L., Garforth, C. & Tomaselli, K. (2013). Entertainment-Education Theory and Practice in HIV and AIDS Communication: A South Africa / UK comparison. Critical Arts (Special Issue) 27(3). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277491632
- Govender, E. (2013) Rethinking education-entertainment practice in Africa. The African Communication Research Journal. Vol 6 (1). http://ccms.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/staff-documents/ACR_vol_6_No_1_1.sflb.ashx
- Govender, E. (2013) Working in the greyzone: Exploring Education-entertainment in Africa. The African Communication Research Journal. Vol 6 (1). http://ccms.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/staff-documents/ACR_vol_6_No_1_1.sflb.ashx
- Govender, E.; Dyll-Myklebust, L.; Delate, R. and Sundar, T. (2013) Social networks as a platform to discuss sexual networks: Intersexions and Facebook as catalysts for social change, The African Communication Research Journal. Vol 6 (1). http://ccms.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/staff-documents/ACR_vol_6_No_1_1.sflb.ashx
- Govender, E.M. Durden, E and Reddy, S. (2010). How Participatory is “Participatory Communication” for HIV/AIDS Awareness in South Africa. African Communication Research, Vol. 3 (2), September: 281 – 304. http://ccms.ukzn.ac.za/files/articles/ACR/Health%20Communication%20in%20Africa.pdf
- Mbewe, L., Govender, E.M. (2020) Male partner’s influence on female’s acceptance and use of PrEP products across two high HIV burdened urban and rural districts in South Africa. African Journal of AIDS Research, DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2020.1727932. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/16085906.2020.1727932
- Govender, E.M. (2010). How Effective is HIV and AIDS Communication in Africa? African Communication Research, Vol. 3 (2), September: 205 – 234. http://ccms.ukzn.ac.za/files/articles/ACR/Health%20Communication%20in%20Africa.pdf
- Govender, E.M. (2018) Methodology is the engine of your study. In Tomaselli, K. G. Making sense of research. Pretoria, South Africa: Van Schaik, pp. 169-176.
- Govender, E.M. (2018) Action research: how to make a difference. In Tomaselli, K. G. Making sense of research. Pretoria, South Africa: Van Schaik, pp. 357-362.
- Govender, E.M and Reddy, S. (2015). Empowering HIV+ Youth for Treatment Adherence through Entertainment Education. In Onuekwe, C., E. (eds.) EE for Health Behaviour Change: Issue and perspectives in Africa. Friesen Press, Inc.
- Govender, E.M., Reddy, S & Durden. E. (2014). Higher Degree Consciousness: A Freirian approach to postgraduate study methods in the Culture, Communication and Media Studies department at the UKZN. The Para-Academic book. Hammer on Press.
- Govender, E.M. (2013). Conflicting Paradigms: Challenges to HIV and AIDS Communication, a South African Perspective. In Tufte, T., Wildermuth, N., Hansen-Skovmoes, A.S., Mitullah, W. (eds) Speaking Up and talking Back? Media, Empowerment and Civic Engagement among East and Southern African Youth. Goteborg: NORDICOM
- Govender, E.M. and Reddy, S. (2011). Drawing the bigger picture: Giving voice to HIV positive children. In: Theron, L., Mitchell, C., Stuart, J. and Smith, A. (eds.) Picturing Research: Drawing as Visual Methodology. Rotterdam: Sense.
- Govender, E.M. (2011). Tracing development and health communication for HIV and AIDS prevention within a South African context in Health and Development Communication. Cape Town: Pearson.
- Govender, E.M., Mathew, W. and McDonough, A. (2011). Tokens or Participation: A case of development support communication with the AIDS Foundation of South Africa in Health and Development Communication. Cape Town: Pearson.
- Durden, E. and Govender E. (eds). 2012. Investigating Communication, Health and Development: 10 Years of Research in The Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS). Johannesburg: Jacana Media. http://ccms.ukzn.ac.za/Files/articles/Books/ee%20book.pdf
- Govender. E.M. (2010). Students’ perceptions of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies in South Africa. Dialogue as a process toward students’ participation in HIV/AIDS message design. Saarbrucken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing.
- Thuthuka NRF funded grant: User Readiness for oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: Strengthening human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention efforts in the high HIV burden district of Umgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natal file:///C:/Users/govendere1/Downloads/CAPRISA%20Newsletter%20Vol%2016(1)Jan%202017.pdf
Role: Principal Investigator
This study investigatse how individual users, partners, and communities such as Vulindlela, a high HIV prevalence district in KZN South Africa, effectively prepares for the introduction, demand creation, and user readiness to initiate on PrEP. The study will offer a conceptual framework for individual, interpersonal, and community readiness with specific reference to barriers and enablers for oral PrEP initiation
Community Engagement
Vice-chair and Editorial Board:
- Vice-chair of Health Communication Working Group, International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR)
- Member on the Editorial Board of Journal Communicare (1 August 2018 -2022)
- Review Editor for Frontiers in Communication (Communication and Culture journal)
Peer review for international journals:
- Frontiers in Communication: culture and communication (also Review Editor)
- Catalan Journal for Cultural Studies and Communication (also guest editor of May 2021 special issue)
- Critical Arts
- Journal of Global Health
- African Journal of AIDS Research
- AIDS and Behaviour
- Communicare
- International Journal for Qualitative and Mixed Methods
- SA Journal of Education
Teaching Expertise
2009 – to present: Lecturing and module co-ordination in The Centre for Communication, Media and Society:
- Research Methods in Cultural and media studies
- Social change and health communication
- Development, Communication and Culture (DCC), and
- Communication for Participatory Development (CFPD);
2009 – to present: Bi-annual guest lecturer for School of International (SIT) Study Abroad offering a series of seminars for the module:
- Health Communication: Paradigms, Strategies and Participatory Processes.
Student Supervision
- Noluthando Precious Nomalungisa Fadane (Graduated 2020) (M, Soc Sc) The role of community leaders in effective implementation of Oral Pre-Exposure Prophlaxis in the Vulindlela community in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Bunmi Okelela (Graduated 2020) (M, Soc Sc) Exploring students’ uptake of HIV testing services at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College as part of the Universal Test and Treat initiative.
- Simamkele Bokolo (Graduated 2020): Exploring adolescent girls and young women’s oral PrEP readiness from a school based’ perspective in Vulindlela, KZN.
- Sandile Sydwell Nkosi (Graduated 2019) The effectiveness of University of KwaZulu-Natal health promoters on Universal Test and Treat (UTT) in 2016-2018.
- Gethwana Mahlase (Graduated 2019) Exploring readiness of the Primary Health Care Clinics for the provision of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis to Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW): A case study in Vulindlela.
- Nqobile Ndzinisa (Graduated 2018) Communicating PrEP – understanding factors that influence adoption and rejection among young women in rural KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa.
- Promise Nompumelelo Gumede (Graduated 2018) Parent/Child communication approaches on Sexual and reproductive Health.
- Gina Coetzee (Graduated 2017) Mapping Sexuality: Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of adolescent females towards sexuality and sexual and reproductive health in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Londeka Mbewe (Graduated 2017) Microbicide acceptability and utility study: Investigating perceptions of men and women across urban and rural settings in Durban and Nelspruit.
- Yonela Vukapi (Graduated 2016) “ZAZI-Know Your Strength”- A Reception Analysis of young female learner’s perceptions on contraceptive knowledge and utilisation in Umnini and Umlazi District in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Phiwe Nota (Graduated 2016) A comparative study of student’s attitudes, preferences and acceptance levels towards microbicide products; The Tenofovir Gel and The Ring at UKZN.
- Celani Constance Mkhize (Graduated 2016) Development Goals or Corporate Agendas?: Examining the perceptions of NGOs and communities towards CSR funding, a case study of CINDI HIV prevention Programme, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Abulele Njisane (Graduated 2015) Reception Analysis of Intersexions: An exploration of perceptions of risk in relation to Multiple and concurrent Partners in rural KZN.
- Phebbie Sakarombe (Graduated 2015) Knowledge and perceptions of medical male circumcision as an HIV prevention procedure by white and Indian male students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
- Temitope Ogunlela (Graduated 2014) Women and HIV & AIDS: Perceptions of female condoms among students at UKZN, Howard college campus.
- Wandile Sibisi (Graduated 2014) Breaking Free: Exploring dialogue for collective action in the Footballers 4 Life Intervention at the Heidelberg Correctional Centre.
- Phiwe Nota (Graduated 2020) (PhD): An investigation into the integration of oral PrEP in Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare services in rural and urban KZN: informing HIV prevention implementation.
- Yonela Vuyapi (Graduated 2020) (PhD): Exploring youth friendly services in primary health-care clinics and its influence on non-adherence to PrEP among young women ages (18-24) in Vulindlela, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Petronella Chipo Mogon (Graduated 2019) (Re) Positioning communication to support biomedical multidrug-resistant tuberculosis interventions in eThekwini Metro, KwaZulu-Natal: Towards an integrated mass media and interpersonal communication approach.