Prof. Michael Chapman | Postcolonial Literature | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Michael Chapman is a distinguished scholar of South African and postcolonial literature whose academic journey reflects both depth and longevity. He earned a BA (Hons) from the University of London (1977), an MA from the University of Natal (1979), and a D Litt. et Phil. from the University of South Africa (1983), alongside a Natal Teachers’ Senior Diploma (1966). His career spans more than five decades, beginning as an English teacher (1967–1976) and advancing through academic posts at the University of South Africa before his long tenure as Professor of English at the University of Natal/University of KwaZulu-Natal (1984–2010). During this period, he served as Acting Head of English, Head of Department, Dean of Humanities, and Head of the School of Literary Studies, Media and Creative Arts, later becoming Senior Professor until retirement. Post-retirement, he has remained academically active as Doctoral Mentor at UWC/NIHSS and Researcher-in-Residence at Durban University of Technology, supervising numerous doctoral projects and serving on DHET and institutional committees. An NRF B1-rated researcher and ASSAf member, he has published 72 works, over 154 citations, an h-index of 7, received 15 NRF grants, and won major awards, including the English Academy Medal and HSRC Medal. His seminal publications and edited anthologies continue to shape African literary criticism and postcolonial studies.