The Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently recognised Dr Shamaine Govender as the IREC Best Reviewer for 2025. Thanks to her consistent participation, reliable turnaround, and active engagement, she emerged as one of the committee’s top reviewers.
Sharing her excitement on receiving the award, Dr Govender said, “I was genuinely surprised and deeply humbled. I had not expected such an honour, as my work in IREC is something I do purely out of a sense of responsibility and commitment. To be recognised for it, especially by my peers and the institution, was incredibly affirming. It serves as a powerful motivator to continue striving for excellence in all my academic and service roles, and I am truly grateful for this recognition.”
Dr Govender is a lecturer in the Department of Clinical Technology and is part of the New Generation of Academic Professionals programme in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Her work focuses on conducting impactful research and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and academics. She is driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
She was appointed as a lecturer in February 2020, but her connection to DUT goes much further, as she is an alumna, having completed her National Diploma, BTech, Master’s, and PhD degrees at the institution. For Dr Govender, it has been truly inspiring to contribute to the university that shaped her own academic and professional path.
Dr Govender joined IREC in 2021, motivated by her belief in upholding the highest ethical standards in research. Given her background in clinical technology and active involvement in research, she felt compelled to contribute to ensuring that all studies conducted under DUT’s purview are ethically sound and protect the rights and well-being of participants.
Describing her responsibilities as a research reviewer for the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Govender said, “My primary duty is to meticulously evaluate research proposals submitted by DUT researchers. This involves assessing the ethical implications of the methodology, ensuring informed consent processes are robust, evaluating participant safety and confidentiality protocols, scrutinising potential conflicts of interest, and ensuring the overall integrity and scientific merit of the study from an ethical standpoint. It is about asking critical questions to safeguard both the participants and the university’s research integrity.”
Balancing her academic duties, which include lecturing, research, and postgraduate supervision, with her IREC responsibilities requires careful time management and a structured approach. She integrates IREC review slots into her weekly schedule, treating them with the same priority as her other academic commitments.
One of the main challenges she faced last year was the volume and complexity of proposals. Each submission demanded significant attention to detail, and many involved highly specialised areas, requiring a broad understanding of ethical principles across disciplines. Time management was another challenge, particularly when handling multiple reviews alongside her academic responsibilities. She considers being an IREC reviewer a quiet but profoundly impactful way to contribute to the quality and integrity of research at DUT and beyond.
Her research focuses on improving health outcomes, particularly concerning chronic diseases such as Chronic Kidney Disease, and advancing health sciences education. Her work on the identification of medicinal plants used for chronic kidney disease explores culturally relevant and accessible interventions, which can have a direct impact on communities with limited access to conventional healthcare. Similarly, her research on pain management for patients with chronic renal failure aims to enhance the quality of life for a vulnerable patient population, potentially influencing clinical guidelines and patient care strategies. Her interdisciplinary collaborations, such as on “The Skin: A Critical Window into Chronic Kidney Disease”, open avenues for holistic understanding and innovative diagnostic or therapeutic approaches. Ultimately, her research strives to generate knowledge that translates into tangible benefits for patients and strengthens healthcare practices and education within South Africa.
Dr Govender advises DUT researchers submitting their work to IREC to be thorough and clear, anticipate ethical questions, and engage constructively by viewing feedback as an opportunity to strengthen the integrity and impact of their work rather than as criticism.
She is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education and is committed to not only contributing to research excellence but also actively mentoring and supporting emerging scholars in navigating the complexities of ethical research and academic growth.
Pictured: The IREC Chairperson, Professor Pfano Mashau, and Dr Shamaine Govender when recognised as the IREC Best Reviewer.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile
Simangele Zuma
