Optentia Research Programme 02
Strengths-based Studies and Interventions
Using strengths, skills, knowledge and connections to support positive change in people, families, communities and institutions.
Programme focus
Strengths. Resilience. Change.
Developing and evaluating interventions that enable capability and evidence-based practice.
About the programme
What becomes possible when strengths are put to work?
This programme examines the strengths that individuals, families, communities and institutions can use to promote positive outcomes when those strengths are understood and applied effectively.
A strengths-based approach does not disregard challenge or difficulty. It builds on people's capacity, skills, knowledge, relationships and potential, enabling them to learn, develop and change without defining them by their limitations.
The programme also studies the environments and intersecting contexts that influence people's lives. Its intervention work follows a deliberate process of development and evaluation to contribute to evidence-based practice.
01
Discover
Identify the strengths, resources and relationships already present in people and communities.
02
Develop
Design interventions that connect capability and context with practical routes to change.
03
Evaluate
Test intervention quality and outcomes to strengthen the evidence base for practice.
Programme leadership
Programme leader
Research community
Researchers
Dr Christiaan Bekker
Prof Elmari Deacon
Charl Gertse
Dr Vedhna Lalla
Prof Werner Nell
Prof Johan Potgieter
Nkele Molefe
Extended expertise
Extraordinary appointments
MH
Prof Marita Heyns
TD
Dr Tessa de Wet
LL
Prof Linda Liebenberg
Resilience
MS
Prof Michael Steger
Meaning in life and work
LW
Prof Laura Weiss
Happiness and well-being
CW
Prof Christine Wekerle
Resilience
Developing researchers
Postgraduate students
Master's student
Master's student
PhD student
PhD student
PhD student
Programme outputs
Research in action
Publications
Recent scholarship
A curated selection of recent programme publications will be added here, with links to the journal or NWU repository.
Projects
Current research and impact
Programme projects will be presented through their purpose, people, activities, outputs and practical contribution.
Connect with the programme
Interested in strengths-based research?
Contact the programme leader about research alignment, collaboration or postgraduate study.