30 September 2025
Prof Mehita Iqani represents Stellenbosch University at Venice International University’s Summer Sessions.
Prof Mehita Iqani represented SU (and the Centre for Science Communication, SARChI SciCom and Journalism Department) in this year’s Summer Sessions as part of the Globalization Programme at Venice International University. She taught a new course that she designed specifically, which draws on her research into consumer culture, luxury, waste, and environmental and science communication: Consumption and the Environment: African and Global South Perspectives. Over four weeks, her class of eight students from all over the world debated and explored topics about the multiple ways that environmental concerns intersect with practices, discourses, and ethics of consumer culture. Students each chose a case study project to explore through a presentation, written assignment, and project. Their topics ranged from the pathway of cobalt from the DRC into military tech, plastic waste, dark tourism, otaku waste, performed feminism by luxury influencers, and more. “It was a privilege to teach on topics I really care about, and to share a month of summer engaging on those topics with bright minds,” said Iqani.