Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal aims to build the capacity of South Africans to design, implement monitor and evaluate evidence informed social and behavioural change communication programmes in South Africa.

USAID/PEPFAR has been supporting the development of the programme since 2002 through Johns Hopkins Health and Education in South Africa (JHHESA) an affiliate to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Centre for Communication Programmes (JHU-CCP).

The post graduate programme at the CCMS has evolved from a focus on the use of entertainment education methodologies to focus on social and behavioural change communication. Bursaries are offered to Masters and PHD students as an incentive to students who are interested in a career in the field of public health (particularly HIV/AIDS) and communication. The course attracts students from a range of disciplines, professions, universities and countries. It is taught by internationally renowned scholars such as Dr Larry Kincaid, Professor Patrick Coleman, Dr Sue Goldstein, Dr Warren Parker, Professor Lynn Dalrymple and Professor Keyan Tomaselli.

The course explores various health and communication models for behaviour and social change, including Communication for Social Change (CFSC), Communication for Participatory Development (CFPD) and the Social Ecology Model (SEM). Students are given practical research skills through a small research grant that enables them to conduct research projects with partner organisations such as DramAidE, Valley Trust and ARROW on health communication in South Africa. During the past seven years, more than 20 students have been working in the field of communication strategies for HIV/AIDS or conducting research and project development for various NGOs, government and corporate entities. Some of these include, Emma Durden, a consultant in the field of theatre and participatory development. Dominic Ndhura, Lecturer at University of Rwanda, Kerry Cullinan, journalist at Health-e News Service, and Mpolekeng Mpeli, producer with Lesotho Broadcasting, Maseru.

The research undertaken by the students is published in peer reviewed academic journals and the CCMS newsletter SUBtext, The publication exposes the students to writing, editing, publishing and serves as a marketing tool for undergraduate students to get insight into what is offered at postgraduate level.

For further information please contact:

Mrs Eliza Govender
Centre for Communication, Media and Society
University of KwaZulu Natal
Email: govendere1@ukzn.ac.za
Web: http://ccms.ukzn.ac.za/