Research Vision Statement

Humanizing and Personalizing Science Education for Equity and Impact

Dr. Belinda specialises in personalised science education, digital pedagogies, and the professional development of pre-service teachers at the Wits School of Education. With a PhD in Chemistry and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective that bridges scientific expertise with innovative educational practice.

Research team

The research group brings together postgraduate students and collaborators interested in:

Digital pedagogies in science education

Personalised learning environments.
Artificial intelligence in education

Open educational resources and inclusive teaching

The 2026 research team includes 1 PhD candidate, 7 Master’s students & 3 Honors Students working collaboratively to explore new ideas and advance educational research through innovative scholarship and shared academic excellence.

Alicia Lawrence

Masters Student

Mahlatse Mosoa
Masters Student

Rinae Rambau

Masters Student

Dr. Belinda vd Westhuizen

Research Head

Cayla du Toit

Phd Student

Nonhlanhla Tshabangu

Masters Student

Frank van der Linde

Masters Student

Langelihle Nxumalo

Masters Student

Itumeleng Chepape

Honours Student

Nokuphila Buthelezi

Masters Student

Amelia Zita

Research Assistant (PMA)

Khadija Hajat

Research Assistant (PMA)

Sheila Thabete

Research Assistant (PMA)

Thandeka Mthembu

Honours Student

Rayhaan Cassim

Honours Student

Core Reseaerch Themes

  1. Personalised & Humanising Science Education
    1. Investigating teaching approaches that support learner agency, identity development, & inclusive participation in science classrooms.
  2. Digital Pedagogies & Blended Learning
    1. Exploring how online and hybrid learning environments can enhance science teaching & learning.
  3. Artificial Intelligence in Teacher Education
    1. Examining how AI-supported tools can scaffold pedagogical reasoning and reflective practice among pre-service teachers.
  4. Open Educational Resources and Inclusive Digital Learning
    1. Developing and studying OER-enabled teaching approaches that promote equitable access to high-quality science education.
  5. Science Teacher Professional Development
    1. Understanding how teachers develop pedagogical content knowledge and instructional strategies for complex science topics.

Opportunities for Postgraduate Research

  1. Science teacher education.
  2. Digital pedagogies & blended learning.
  3. AI in Education.
  4. Open educational resources.
  5. Personalised learning environments.

Dr. Belinda welcome enquiries from students interested in postgraduate research in the these areas. Prospective students are encouraged to contact me to discuss potential research topics.