59th TB Davie Lecture by Associate Professor Ross

Dear colleagues and students

In a time where the notion of having difficult conversations is in itself becoming increasingly difficult, we are honoured to host Associate Professor Loretta J Ross, who will deliver the 59th TB Davie Memorial Lecture at the University of Cape Town (UCT) on Wednesday, 6 August 2025.

The TB Davie Memorial Lecture was established by UCT students to honour Thomas Benjamin Davie, who served as vice-chancellor at UCT from 1948 to 1955. He was a committed defender of academic freedom.

Organised by the Academic Freedom Committee (AFC) – chaired by Professor Rudzani Muloiwa – the lecture provides a platform for distinguished speakers to engage with themes relating to academic and human freedom.

This year’s lecture will be delivered online, with in-person screening in the New Lecture Theatre.

The lecture, titled “Calling In: Navigating Challenging Conversations and Cultivating Compassionate Connections”, will reflect on how we engage with each other in the face of disagreement, particularly in a time often marked by division, “cancel culture”, and public shaming.

Associate Professor Ross, a leading voice in human rights and social justice, will introduce the practice of “calling in”, an approach that encourages dialogue, empathy and mutual accountability. She will share how compassionate communication can build stronger, more inclusive communities, particularly in academic spaces that value rigorous debate and freedom of thought.

Associate Professor Ross is a highly respected public intellectual and activist. She was the 2022 recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” award and is an associate professor at Smith College. With more than five decades of experience in advocacy and education, her work has shaped key movements, including the early anti-violence movement and today’s ongoing fight for reproductive justice.

This year’s lecture promises to offer practical insights into how to have difficult conversations while remaining grounded in the shared values of ubuntu and academic freedom.

On behalf of the AFC, I invite the UCT community to join us at this important event.

Date: Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Time: 18:00 SAST
Format: Online
Live Screening: New Lecture Theatre (NLT), Upper Campus

• Register by Monday, 4 August 2025 to watch on MS Teams or attend the in-person screening.
• Watch the lecture on UCT's Facebook and X social media platforms.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements