Professor Tendai Chari, an Associate Professor of Media Studies in the Department of English, Media Studies and Linguistics has been rated C1 rated researcher. He moved from C3. C1 Rating is awarded to a researcher whom “All the reviewers are firmly convinced that the applicant is an established researcher” and regarded by “some or the overriding majority of the reviewers as a scholar who has attained a solid international standing in the field of study”.
Professor Chari holds a Masters Degree in Media and Communication Studies from the University of Zimbabwe and a PhD in Media Studies from Wits University. His academic career started at the University of Zimbabwe where he was Head of the Media Programme for eight years before joining the University of Venda in 2008.
The NRF rating affirms the extensive impact of Prof Chari’s research work, which largely focuses on political communication and media representation, with a broadened horizon on the interface between digital media and politics, data journalism and adoption of artificial intelligence in African newsrooms.
He has participated in and read academic papers at over 65 local and international conferences and has produced over 80 publications in the form of journal articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and books. Prof Chari has co-edited 6 books, the latest being “Military, Politics and Democratisation in Southern Africa: The Quest for Political Transition” (Palgrave Macmillan) and “Communication Rights in Africa: Emerging Discourses and Perspectives” (Routledge/Taylor & Francis). In addition, Prof Chari has supervised over 58 postgraduate students to completion.
Among Prof Chari’s numerous awards, grants and other academic accolades, are the Norwegian Agency for Development Corporation (NORAD) scholarship, the Norwegian Programme for Development Research and Education (NUFU) scholarship, the African Peacebuilding Network (APN) Individual Grant (2017) and the APN Book Manuscript Publishing Award (2018). He is also a Fellow of the African Humanities Programme (AHP) of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS).
He sits on the advisory boards of several local and international journals and was appointed an Associate Editor of the Journal of African Media Studies (JAMS) in 2024.
Prof Chari attributes his research trajectory and success mainly to insights gleaned from fruitful engagements with colleagues in the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, and with his highly motivated and exceptionally talented students as well as his expansive conference paper presentations around the world, all of which have broadened the scope of his research interests which are anchored on transformative decoloniality.
“On behalf of the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Chari on being awarded the prestigious C1 NRF Rating. This remarkable achievement is a testament to your outstanding contributions to your field, as well as your commitment to advancing knowledge through rigorous research and scholarship. The C1 NRF Rating reflects not only your expertise and academic excellence, but also the significant impact your work has had on both the national and international academic communities. It is an honour for the Faculty to have scholars like you, whose dedication to advancing research and education continues to inspire us all.
Once again, congratulations, Professor Chari. We look forward to your continued success and the further enhancement of the Faculty’s reputation under your leadership and scholarship,” said the Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, Professor Tawa-nda Runhare.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication.
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
