By Lisakhanya Tali
Joyce Sewry finds fulfilment in witnessing growth within her science students as they achieve degrees they once thought were unattainable, and with learners from underserved schools who discover new opportunities.
Sewry is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Rhodes University, with over 30 years of dedicated service to science education and community engagement. Renowned for her pioneering outreach efforts, she was among the first recipients of the university’s Distinguished Community Engagement Award, recognising her transformative impact on STEM education.
Passionate about empowering students and communities, Sewry has led initiatives to bring chemistry to underserved schools and founded the Khanya Maths and Science Club to support learners.
Her expertise spans chemical education and chemometrics. And she plays a key role in academic support at Rhodes. Sewry teaches both remedial and Honours-level courses, guiding first-year students in Chemistry 1 and mentoring Honours students in Chemometrics and Service-learning modules. In the latter, students present educational content such as ‘A Pollutant’s Tale’ and conduct hands-on experiments with Grade 7 learners, sparking early interest in science.
Since 1998, Sewry has led impact outreach initiatives, most notably the Khanya Maths and Science Clubs, which she coordinates in partnership with the Albany Museum. Engaging over 150 Grade 8-9 learners annually, the program brings practical science to life for students in rural areas.
A school principal, a Rhodes alumnus, once told his learners: “The university has come to you, and now you can go to the university.”
Sewry’s outreach also includes teacher workshops, school visits, and the Science Expo. Her collaborations with institutions like Bristol University and Somerset Educational in Somerset East have expanded STEM access to farm schools in the Eastern Cape.
Sewry describes her Community Engagement award as “a recognition within the institution rather than recognition for myself.”
She continues to build partnerships, notably with Prof Ken Ngcoza and Somerset Educational, distributing chemical kits and training teachers nationwide. After Covid-19 disrupted face-to-face engagement, Sewry adapted the Khanya program in 2022 to reach 180 learners and involve 25 volunteers, demonstrating both innovation and resilience.
Sewrys contributes to several university committees and serves on the GADRA Education Board, advocating for greater access to quality education. Her interests lie in mentoring student volunteers and expanding STEM outreach.
Her one hope is to inspire future science and maths educators to continue this legacy, ensuring a sustainable impact on chemical education and community engagement.
