Q&A With Prof Agnes Chigona

As Prof Agnes Chigona prepares to deliver her inaugural lecture, she reflects on a distinguished career dedicated to advancing teacher education, digital pedagogies, and equitable learning opportunities in South Africa and beyond. Her work, grounded in a deep commitment to social justice, continues to shape teachers, researchers, and education systems in transformative ways. Ilse Fredericks spoke to her ahead of this milestone moment.

“Education holds the power to change lives, but it begins with empowering the teachers who make learning possible. My work has always been about ensuring that teachers are supported, valued, and equipped to teach 21st century learners effectively.” - Prof Agnes Chigona

As you prepare to deliver your inaugural professorial lecture, what does this milestone represent for you personally and professionally?

This milestone is deeply meaningful to me on both a personal and professional level. Personally, it represents a journey of perseverance, growth, and gratitude - gratitude to the mentors, colleagues, students, and communities who have shaped my academic path. Professionally, becoming a professor affirms the value and impact of the work I have dedicated my career to contributing to teacher education, building research capacity, and advancing scholarship that uplifts our society.

It is also a moment of reflection, a reminder of the responsibility that comes with this role: to lead with integrity, to inspire emerging scholars, and to contribute knowledge that addresses the real challenges facing education today.

Your career has been defined by a commitment to advancing teacher education. What first inspired your passion for this field?

My passion for teacher education was sparked early in my academic journey, when I realised the profound influence teachers have on shaping not only learners but entire communities. Teachers are at the heart of our education system, yet they often work under difficult conditions and with limited resources. I felt compelled to contribute to strengthening their preparation, support, and professional voice.

My research over the years, especially in digital pedagogies, teacher agency, and technology-enhanced learning, showed me how empowering teachers can transform educational outcomes. Knowing that my work could contribute to a more equitable and responsive education system continues to inspire me.

What have been your main career highlights?

I have been fortunate to experience several fulfilling moments in my career. Some of the highlights include:

• Being awarded the SARChI Chair (Tier 1) in Teacher Education, which provided a platform to deepen my research and expand my contribution nationally and internationally.
• Directing the Global Institute for Teacher Education & Society (GITES), creating a space for impactful research, postgraduate support, and cross disciplinary collaboration.
• Mentoring emerging scholars and postgraduate students, many of whom have gone on to become respected academics and leaders in the education sector.
• Collaborating internationally, which has allowed me to contribute to global conversations on teacher development, digital inclusion, and social justice.
• Publishing research that influences policy and practice and being invited to speak at important forums where education futures are shaped.

Each of these moments reaffirmed the importance of the work we do in higher education.

What message do you hope your inaugural lecture will convey?

My inaugural lecture aims to convey that teacher education must be responsive, future focused, and grounded in the realities of the South African context. As our classrooms evolve - shaped by technology, socio-economic challenges, and shifting learner needs, our approach to preparing teachers must evolve too.

I hope to emphasise that teachers are agents of change, and that nurturing their professional identities, capabilities, and well being is essential for building resilient and thriving education systems. Ultimately, my message is one of hope: that through collaborative research, innovation, and commitment, we can transform education for the better.

What legacy do you hope your work will leave for future generations of teachers, researchers, and students?

I hope to leave a legacy of rigour, compassion, and purpose-driven scholarship. For teachers, I hope my work contributes to a stronger professional community that feels valued, supported, and empowered. For researchers, I hope to leave pathways, networks, and intellectual foundations that inspire bold, relevant, and socially responsive inquiry. And for students - the heart of our education system - I hope my work helps create learning environments where their potential is recognised and nurtured.

Above all, I hope to be remembered for contributing to a more just, equitable, and human-centred education landscape.

Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za