Degrees Held
- Bachelor of Arts Degree, University of Durban-Westville, 1985
- Higher Diploma in Education (Secondary Schools), University of Durban-Westville, 1988
- Honours: Criminology, University of South Africa, 1991
- MA: Criminology, University of Durban-Westville, 1998
- Ded: Education, University of Durban-Westville, 2003
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- School and gender based violence
- Peace and Security
- Illicit drug use
- Cybercrime
TEACHING INTERESTS
- Theories
- Biological, psychological and sociological pathways to criminal behavior and offending.
- Youth criminality
Selected Publications
Chapters in Books
Journal Articles
Chapters in Books
- Nirmala Gopal (2007), Voices of HIV Positive young mothers. Pattman and S. Khan, Undressing Durban. South Africa.
- Nirmala Gopal & Reshma Sookraj (2009), “Children left behind Voices (Ukuhebeza) of HIV+ Mothers”. Kogi Naidoo, Working woman stories of Strife, Struggle and Survival. India.
Journal Articles
- George Chimdi Mbara, Nirmala Gopal, Nwabufo Okeke Uzodike and Mtshali Khondlo (2020), “Assessing the Theoretical Underpinning of Nigeria’s Quest for a permanent United Nations Security Council Seat”. African Renaissance, 17/2. 11-35. https://doi.org/10.31920/2516-5305/2020/17n2a1
- George Chimdi Mbara and Nirmala Gopal (2020), “Afrocentrism, national interest and citizen welfare in Nigeria’s foreign policy maneuvers”. F1000 Research, 1-
- Mandlenkosi Richard Mphatheni, Sphamandla Lindani Nkosi , Owethu Johnson Tutu and Nirmala Gopal (2020), “An Analysis of Criminology as a Profession in the Republic of South Africa”. International Journal of Criminology and Sociology, Vol.9. 1822-1828.
- George Chimdi Mbara and Nirmala Gopal (2020), “Nigeria at 60: A Contextual Appraisal of the Undergirding Philosophies of the Country’s Foreign Policy Manoeuvres (1960-2020)”. Journal of African Foreign Affairs, 7/2. 35-60. 31920/2056-5658/2020/v7n2a3
- Mkhize S, Nunlall R & Gopal ND (2020), An examination of social media as a platform for cyber-violence against the LGBT+ population RAGN”. Agenda. 1704485
- George Chimidi Mbara, Nirmala Gopal and Gilbert T. Zvaita (2020), “Interrogating the implications of Nigeria’s quest for a permanent United Nations Security Council Chair on the welfare of her citizens”. Journal of African Foreign Affairs, 7/2. 129-150.
- Gopal ND and Maweni V (2019), “Cybercrime preparedness-a critical snapshot of BRICS countries”. Sciences Research Council (HSRC), 2/49. 70-88.
- Sliep Y, Norton L & Gopal ND (2019), “We can’t walk alone”. Peace Education for Violence Prevention in Fragile African Societies: What’s Going to Make a Difference?, Africa Institute of South Africa. Pages 275.
- Collings SJ, Gopal ND, Jameson DA, Wendy E Kempster WE & Norton LM (2019), “Cross-validation of a test specification for normative adolescent fears in a sample of South African school-going adolescents”. Child Abuse Research: A South African, 20/1.
- Naicker T, Gopal ND, Govender T, Baijnath S, Teklezgi BG, Pamreddy A, Kruger HG (2018), “Time-dependent regional brain distribution of methadone and naltrexone in the treatment of opioid addiction”. Addiction Biol, 24/3. 438-446. 10.1111/adb.12609
- Gopal, N.D (2018), “Editorial: Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology. Special Edition: Cybercrime”. Southern African Journal of Criminology, 31/3.
- Gopal ND, van Niekerk C (2018), “Safety In Student Residences Matters!”. South African Journal of Higher Education, 32/3.
- Ryan du Toit, Philisiwe Nicole Hadebe and Mandlenkosi Mphatheni (2018), “Public Perceptions Of Cybersecurity: A South African Context”. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 31/3
- Gopal, N.D., & Marimuthu, B.A (2017), “The ‘Politics’ of South African Indian Identity: Real or Imagined”. Alternation, 24/1. 76-106. https://doi.org/10.29086/2519-5476/2017/v24n1a5
- Teklezgi, B.G, Pamreddy A, Baijnath S, Gopal ND, Naicker T, Kruger HG, Govender T. (2017), “Post heroin dose tissue distribution of 6- monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) with MALDI imaging. Journal of Molecular Histology, 48/4. 285-292.
- Gopal, N.D., & Nunlall, R (2017), “Interrogating the resilience of women affected by violence”. Agenda, 31/2
- Gopal, N.D., & Collings, S.J (2017), “Conceptualising School Violence: A Human Rights Perspective”. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 30/3. 1-13
- Gopal, N. D (2017), “Editorial: 21st Century Geo-political Discourses on India’s Diaspora: Global Perspectives”. Alternation, 24/1. 1-5
- , A (Masters Student) (2017), “Secondary School Learners’ Perspectives On Illicit Drugs”. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 30/1. 96 -114
- Gopal, N., & Marimuthu, B.A (2016), “Maritime Criminality : Unheard Voices”. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 29/2. 142-155.
- Collings, S.J and Gopal, ND (2016), “Cross-Validation of a Test Specification for Normative Childhood Fears in a Sample of South African School- Going Adolescents Child Abuse Research”. A South African Journal Volume 17.
- Marimuthu, B.A (PhD Student) (2016), “ Interpersonal violence and illicit drug use”. Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 29/3. 110-125
- Gopal, N.D, Marimuthu, B.A & Mbongwe (2015), “Twenty-one years ‘traversed’: How does the public perceive South African police service delivery?. Acta Criminologica
- Gopal, N.D (2015), “Lesbian relationships in correctional settings – “Let our voice be heard”. Agenda.
- Gopal, N.D & Marimuthu B.A (2014), “Methodological Dilemma’s in Undertaking Criminological Research with South African Youth”. Acta Criminologica.
- Gopal, N.D & Marimuthu B.A (2014), “A Quantitative Understanding Of Gender Differentiated Delinquent Trends Among School Going Adolescents In Chatsworth, Durban.
- N.D; Khan. S; Singh. S. (2014), “India and its Diaspora: making sense of Hindu identity in South Africa
- Diaspora Studies. Alternation, 7/1. 28-41.
- Gopal, N.D., & Collings, S.J.(2014), “The incidence of polysubstance abuse is increasing among treatment seeking youth in Durban, South Africa”. The Oriental Anthropologist, 14/2. 185-194.
- N.D (2013), “They call us Makwerekweres’ –Foreign Learners Speak out against Xenophobia”. Alternation, 7/1. 125-144.
- Gopal, N.D (2013), “Perceptions of different generations of South African Hindus of Indian Origin towards religiosity?. Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology.
- Gopal, N.D (2013), “Music, Trance and Dance in the Thaipusam Kavady Festival: Reflections of a Select Group of South. Africans Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology
- Gopal, N.D. & Collings, S.J. (2013), “They don’t really rape in Wentworth”: Subjectivities of violence among adolescent girls in a South African community”. Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology.
- Michael Meyer, Jean Steyn and Nirmala Gopal (2013), “Exploring the public parameter of police integrity”, Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 36/1. 140-156
- Mkhize, S; Gopal, N.D. & Collings, S.J. (2012), “The impact of community violence on learners: A study of a school in the Swayimana rural area”. Acta Criminologica, 25/1. 38-45
- Gopal, N.D. & Collings, S.J. (2012), “School-going adolescent’s perceptions of interpersonal violence: A qualitative analysis”. The Social Work Practitioner Researcher, 25/2. 155-172.
- Gopal, N.D. & Collings, S.J. (2012), “Psycho-social influences on drug taking in a sample of South African youth: A qualitative analysis”. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 22/4. 655-658.
- Michele Stears and Nirmala Gopal (2010), “Exploring alternative assessment strategies in science classrooms”. South African Journal of Education, 30/4.
- Savinder Gaur and Nirmala Devi Gopal (2010), “Understanding Indian religious Practices in Malaysia: Adversity to Advantage The SAGA of People of Indian Origin in South Africa. Journal of Social Sciences, 11/1.
- Julian Buchanan, Steve Wilson and Nirmala Gopal (2009), “Examining Race Hate Crime with students using a cross cultural international Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)”. Technology for Facilitating Humanity and Combating Social Deviations: Interdisciplinary Perspectives.
- Julian Buchanan, Steve Wilson and Nirmala Gopal (2008), “A Cross Cultural Virtual Learning Environment for Students to Explore the Issue of Racism: A Case Study involving the UK, USA & SA”. Social Work Education Journal
- Nirmala Gopal and Nyameka Daniel (2008), “Rape Survivors Experiences of the Criminal Justice System (CJS): Case Study – Rape Crisis Centre Port Elizabeth, 2/2.
- Nirmala Gopal and Zondeka Fikile (2008), “The Guardians of Safety and Security :Police perceptions of the causes of misconduct within the Grahamstown Policing Area. Acta Criminologica
- Nirmala Gopal & Michele Stears (2007), “Alternate approach to assessing Science Competencies. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 11/2.
- Nirmala Gopal and Vanitha Chetty (2006), “No women left behind: Examining public perspectives on South African Police Services’ handling of violence against South African women. Alternation, 13/2.
- Nirmala Gopal and Cliff Malcolm (2005), “Challenges and Successes: An Inquiry into accessing indigenous knowledge in two grade and nine classrooms in KwaZulu Natal”. Southern African Journal for Folklore Studies, 15/1.
- Renuka Vithal and Nirmala Gopal (2005), “What mathematics learners say about the new South African curriculum reform. Perspectives in Education, 23/3.
- Reshma Sookrajh, Nirmala Gopal And Brij Maharaj (2005), “Interrogating inclusionary and exclusionary practices: Learners of war and flight. Perspectives in Education, 23/1.
- Cliff Malcolm, Nirmala Gopal, Moyra Keane And Bill Kyle Jr (2004), “Transformative Action research: ISSUES and dilemmas in working with two rural South African communities. Methodologies for researching mathematics, science and technology education in societies in transition. A UNESCO-SAARMSTE Book Project.
Community Involvements
- (2009-2011), Broad Labour Forum- sub committee of Board, An affiliate of the department of Higher education and Training whose specific function is skills development in the Higher education sector.
- (2011-2017), ETDP SETA Quality Assurance Committee-Sub Committee of Board, The focus of this committee is to approve unit standard learning programmes
- (2010-2014), ETDP SETA – Sector Skills Planning working Group, Focuses on skills supply and demand in the Higher education sector.
- (2011-2017), ETDP SETA – Higher Education and Research Chamber, The focus of this chamber is to commission research in Higher education Skills development
- (2011-2019), ETDP SETA – Board, The focus of the board is to provide governance and leadership to all matters relating to ETDP seta’s strategic objectives.
Teaching Expertise
- University Higher Education Diploma in Teaching
- Doctorate in Education
Selected Publications
Masters
PhD
Masters
- Nyameka Daniel (2007) Exploring Rape Survivors Experiences of the Criminal Justice System
- Zondeka (2006) Performance Management of SAPS personnel in the Eastern Cape Province
- Sifiso Ntuli (2008) Investigation into the nature and causal factors of male vs female criminality in Cato Manor Township, Durban
- Sazelo Mkhize (2011) The effects of community violence on the academic performance of learners in Swayimane Area
- Matthew Cronje (2013) A Multivariate Criminological Analysis of the Self-Esteem of Repeat Offenders.
- Bonita Marimuthu (2014) A Quantitative Analysis of Juvenile Delinquency Trends among school going adolescents in a select sample of Secondary Schools in Chatsworth, Durban
- Snenhlanhla Tsekiso (2014) A Critical Evaluation of South African Education Policy: A case of learner and teacher discipline”.
- Frederick Monyepao (2016) The ramifications of media’s representation of crime
- Nondumiso Ntshangase (2017) A critical assessment of the impact of restorative justice on reducing juvenile delinquency: A South African perspective.
- Philisiwe Nicole Hadebe (2018) Analysis of Independent Investigative Directorate Investigators’ Experiences of the Application of Section 28(1)(f) of the IPID mandate, Torture and Assault, by Police Officials in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Tshivhase Thompho (2018) The Role of Community Policing Forum in Preventing Xenophobic Violence: A Case Study Of Umlazi Township in Durban, South Africa
- Jessica Roopnarain (2018) Exploratory study of the socio-economic effect of Automated teller machine (ATM) crimes on women victims in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN)
- Anira Umra (2018) An Analysis of Psychosocial Factors of Psychoactive Illicit Substance Use in a Select Sample in Chatsworth
- Belin Gebrekidan Teklezgi (2018) Regional brain distribution and localization of heroin and opioid addiction treatment drugs via mass spectrometry
- Caitlin van Niekerk (2019) An Analysis of Individual, Family and Community Social Risk Factors Associated with Illicit Drug Consumption in Wentworth, KwaZulu-Natal
PhD
- Bonita Marimuthu (2020) Exploring Learner Resilience to School Violence in a township secondary school in Durban KwaZulu-Natal
