Headshot of Ms. Sylvia Hannan

Ms. Sylvia Hannan

Chief Researcher, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), South Africa

A leading researcher in educational policy and scientific literacy, she is the architect behind South Africa's national surveys on mathematics, science, and public trust in S&T.

Ms. Hannan is a formidable intellectual force within the HSRC's Equitable Education and Economies research programme. Her extensive body of work is characterized by a rigorous, data-driven approach to understanding the complex psychosocial and contextual factors that shape human potential in South Africa.

View ORCID Profile → ← Back to All Speakers

Educational Pillar: The "Confidence Gap" in Achievement

Ms. Hannan is a core member of the research team for the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in South Africa. Her contribution focuses on non-cognitive factors, providing a critical policy corrective:

  • Self-Efficacy: Her research empirically demonstrates that the country's "achievement gap" is inextricably linked to a "confidence gap," showing a significant positive link between a student's self-belief and their success in Mathematics and Science.
  • School Climate: Her studies on bullying and school safety highlight that a safe, supportive learning environment is a fundamental prerequisite for academic success and personal growth.

Science Pillar: Measuring Public Trust and Engagement

Ms. Hannan was a central architect of the inaugural South African Public Relationship with Science (SAPRS) survey, a foundational national study commissioned by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).

Her work in this domain has helped to establish the empirical architecture for national science policy:

  • Policy Architect: Her intellectual input is embedded in the national baseline, influencing how public trust, scientific literacy, and engagement are measured for years to come.
  • Knowledge Translation: She is formally responsible for managing the TIMSS SA website and compiling the TIMSS SA newsletter, ensuring complex data is translated into actionable knowledge for policymakers and educators.

Actionable Research: Leadership and Transformation

Ms. Hannan's research provides hopeful and pragmatic frameworks for systemic improvement, even in resource-constrained contexts:

  • Transformative Leadership: Her work on Transformative Leadership in resource-constrained schools argues that effective principals can disrupt the cycle of poverty by creating "transformative schools" with higher-than-expected student outcomes.
  • Academic Foundation: Her Master of Science in Environmental Science (Cum Laude) from UKZN underpins her career, demonstrating a core analytical focus on how large-scale systemic forces impact human communities and environments.

Her presentation will offer a compelling model of engaged scholarship, providing delegates with rigorous, evidence-based strategies for fostering learning, equity, and scientific citizenship.