13:00 - 14:00

In 2015 the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) and the Western Cape Government (WCG) conducted a research mapping exercise to identify areas of synergy between the research taking place at universities in the province and the WCG research and innovation needs. The mapping was specifically focused on research relating to the 4th Provincial Strategic Goal, “Enabling a resilient, sustainable, quality and inclusive environment,” and, in particular, that relate to the areas of climate change, sustainability and the green economy. 

In this seminar Ms Karen Shippey will be sharing a high level summary of the Provincial Strategic Plan, highlighting related research gaps and needs as identified through the mapping exercise. She will also outline some of the specific provincial projects that student research projects can contribute to. The seminar is targeted at both students and supervisors, and aims to increase the synergies between research and implementation by sparking ideas for research topics that are directly relevant to the implementation of government policies and projects.

Ms Karen Shippey holds a Masters Degree in Environmental and Geographical Science from UCT and has over 20 years experience as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner. Ms Shippey joined the Western Cape Government (South Africa) in 2011 to serve in the role of Director: Sustainability in the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. In this role she oversaw efforts to mainstream Sustainability into operations and to undertake environmental reporting for the Province. She was also responsible for co-ordinating efforts to stimulate the growth of the Green Economy and resource efficiency. In 2015, Ms Shippey became the Chief Director: Environmental Sustainability ,Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning at the Western Cape Government, a role which saw her providing oversight and leadership across the Provincial Climate Change, Sustainability, Biodiversity and Coastal Management portfolios.