Dr Wilma van Staden’s holds the position of E-learning Specialist and Researcher for the Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC) at Rhodes University. Wilma’s career in environmental education started when she became an agricultural teacher in 2012 after completing her MSc, at North West University, where based on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island for 8 weeks of each year over the duration of her master’s study.
Her interest in sustainable agricultural education led to a PhD study, enrolling with the ELRC in 2015 and focussed to Climate Smart Agriculture.
Wilma then started her work in ESD e-learning pedagogy, course and resource development working with flagship projects Amanzi for Food and Sustainability Starts with Teachers , both in collaboration with distinguished partners, the Water Reseach Commission and UNESCO ROSA respectively.
Wilma has always believed in contributing in making the world a better place, and has hopes to continue her work within the Southern African region working with community change based projects, for deeper impact and reach.
Wilma’s advice to Early Career Researchers would be to be open to opportunity, this leads to diverse possibilities, but also to always stay true to your passion. She sees potential in digital transformation situated in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a good career path and opportunity for future scholars.