Professor of Law at UKZN Professor David McQuoid-Mason – who recently celebrated 50 years in academia – has received an A2 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF).
According to the NRF, A2 researchers are recognised by the overriding majority of reviewers as leading scholars in their field internationally for the high quality and impact (either wide or confirmed) of their recent research outputs. The rating is valid until 2030 when the Foundation will invite McQuoid-Mason to resubmit documents for further valuation rating.
The Director of NRF Reviews and Evaluation, Dr James Meiring, said in the announcement to McQuoid-Mason that after a rigorous evaluation by peers the application for evaluation and rating had been finalised: ‘Based on the quality and impact of your research outputs and the comments of the reviewers you have been placed in the A category and A2 sub-category. Congratulations on this exceptional achievement.’
The recognition is well deserved – McQuoid-Mason is a world-renowned legal clinician, advocate of human rights, author and the founding father of the Street Law Programme at UKZN. His name has over the years become synonymous with Law and in particular Street Law and Medical Law in which he has established himself as a highly respected and international authority.
College of Law and Management Studies Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head, Professor Ernest Khalema, congratulated McQuoid-Mason saying: ‘I wish him continued success in his research as he flies the UKZN flag high both at home and internationally.’
Said Dean of the School of Law Professor Freddy Mnyongani: ‘On behalf of the School of Law I extend my warmest congratulations to Professor McQuoid-Mason for this exceptional achievement. The rating is testament to his dedication, hard work and passion for academic excellence. Professor McQuoid-Mason is a towering figure in human rights in general and medical law in particular, and this recognition is well deserved. He continues to inspire all of us.’
Between 2016 and 2023 McQuoid-Mason published 49 SAPSE accredited articles (44 on Medical Law and Ethics); six books (three on Street Law, two on Medical Law and Ethics and one on wild animals), as well as 19 chapters in books. He also presented papers at 53 international conferences and 12 local conferences, and conducted 54 international workshops and 30 local workshops.
So far this year, three of his articles have been accepted for publication in SAPSE- accredited journals and he has been invited to conduct Clinical Legal Education Workshops in Afghanistan and India.
As President Emeritus with Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA), McQuoid-Mason is the convenor of an international conference and workshop in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Street Law as a transformative tool for social justice to be held from 25 to 28 September, 2025.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied
