The University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted the inaugural lecture of Professor Kasturi Behari-Leak on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. Titled “Biographies and Geographies: Who Teaches Matters – Reimagining Knowledge, Belonging and the University”, the lecture explored the role of academic and professional staff development in shaping more inclusive, responsive and transformative higher education institutions.

Professor Kasturi Behari-Leak reflected on how personal histories and lived experiences shape teaching, learning and knowledge production within universities. Drawing on her own journey, she explored themes of identity, belonging, curriculum transformation and leadership, arguing that universities must recognise diverse ways of knowing and create spaces where multiple perspectives can thrive.

Professor Behari-Leak highlighted the ongoing importance of decolonising higher education, challenging institutions to critically examine whose knowledge is valued and represented. She also considered the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence, emphasising the need for technology to be used thoughtfully and inclusively.

Central to her lecture was the idea that education is fundamentally about people and relationships. She called for universities to prioritise humanity, critical reflection and belonging, reminding audiences that meaningful transformation depends not only on knowledge, but also on the individuals who teach, learn and lead within these spaces.