TranslateProfessor
Theodore Petrus
CEO & Founder, Theodore Petrus Academy
An NRF C3-rated researcher, associate professor, academic coach, leadership trainer, public commentator and social anthropologist with over 25 years of experience in South African higher education. In 2019, Professor Theodore Petrus founded the Theodore Petrus Academy to bridge the gap between research training and the strategic, personal and professional development PhD candidates need to thrive.
45+
Peer-Reviewed Publications
25+
Years in Higher Education
C3
NRF Researcher Rating
1000+
Researchers Mentored
His Vision
Professor Theodore Petrus believes that every postgraduate student deserves access to strategic, evidence-based support that goes beyond traditional supervision. His vision is to equip researchers across Africa and the world with the productivity systems, leadership skills, and emotional resilience to not only complete their degrees, but to excel in their academic careers and beyond.
Why He Founded TPA
After decades of mentoring doctoral candidates and witnessing the same challenges repeat (isolation, poor supervision relationships, lack of career readiness, and burnout), Professor Theodore Petrus founded the Theodore Petrus Academy as a comprehensive platform to address these gaps systemically. The Academy combines his expertise in anthropology, coaching psychology, and performance science into programmes purpose-built for postgraduate success.
Areas of Expertise
Professor Theodore Petrus's work spans anthropology, criminology, higher education, academic coaching and public policy.
Social & Cultural Anthropology
Criminology & Policing Studies
Academic Research Coaching
Leadership & Performance Development
Doctoral Pedagogy & Supervision
Higher Education Transformation
Witchcraft & Occult-Related Crime
South African Law Reform
Key Career Milestones
Founder & CEO
Theodore Petrus Academy
Strategic training and development for postgraduate researchers across Africa and beyond
Associate Professor
University of the Free State
Department of Anthropology
Research Professor
University of Fort Hare
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Project Leader
SA Law Reform Commission
Advisory Committee, SALRC Project 135 (Review of Witchcraft Suppression Act)
Ministerial Task Team Member
Office of the Minister of Justice
Advising on the review of South African witchcraft legislation (ongoing)
Regional Mentor
NIHSS Doctoral Mentorship Programme
Mentoring doctoral candidates on proposal development, research design and thesis completion
Publications, Mentorship & Leadership
Beyond media commentary, Professor Theodore Petrus holds an NRF C3 rating, has published 45+ peer-reviewed articles, and has led mentorship, training and policy initiatives across South African higher education.
NRF C3-Rated Researcher
Awarded a C3 rating by the National Research Foundation in 2022, recognising Professor Theodore Petrus as an established researcher with a sustained, quality body of published work in social and cultural anthropology.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Selected publications on research coaching & higher education from 45+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
The Role of Academic Researcher Coaching in Enhancing Innovation and Knowledge Production in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa
Petrus, T.S. 2022. African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(1): 155–164.
Towards Meaningful Decolonisation: The Role of Engaged Anthropology and Academic Coaching in the Decolonisation Project in South African Higher Education
Petrus, T.S. 2021. Creative Education, 12: 2831–2845.
View PublicationEducation versus Indoctrination: Contextualising the Crisis in Higher Education in South Africa
Petrus, T.S. 2019. South African Journal of Higher Education, 33(3): 81–97.
Mentorship & Leadership Development
Regional Mentor, NIHSS Doctoral Mentorship Programme
2021–2023Facilitated group and one-on-one mentoring for doctoral candidates on proposal development, research design and thesis completion through the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Cluster Leader, NIHSS Covid-19 Research Network Grant
2021Awarded R500,000 as cluster leader for the Social and Community Cluster, coordinating research into the societal impacts of the pandemic.
Conference Convener, NIHSS Annual National Doctoral Conference
2022 & 2023Convened the national doctoral conference and reviewed submissions for the Best Conference Paper Award in both years.
Coach & Mentor, Women in Leadership (WiL) Programme
2020–2022Delivered coaching and workshop training supporting the leadership development of women in South African higher education, run jointly by HELM and HERS-SA.
Leadership Trainer, Pan-African Thoracic Society (PATS)
2024Delivered leadership training for senior-level African women academics through the PATS programme.
Governance, Policy & Advisory Roles
Project Leader, SA Law Reform Commission (SALRC) Project 135
Leads the Advisory Committee reviewing the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957. Committee member since 2010, Project Leader since 2022.
Ministerial Task Team Member, Office of the Minister of Justice
Appointed to advise on the review of South African witchcraft legislation since 2012.
Board Chairperson, Cultural Connections (NPO)
Chairs the board of a non-profit organisation based in the Eastern Cape focused on cultural heritage and community development.
Former Chairperson, COMENSA Free State Chapter
Led the Free State Chapter of the Coaches and Mentors Association of South Africa.
NRF Grant Proposal Reviewer
Reviews project proposals for National Research Foundation grant applications.
Academic Background & Service
Over two decades in South African higher education across leading institutions.
Research Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Fort Hare (2014–2019)
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of the Free State (2020–2025)
Postgraduate external examiner and moderator for UCT, Nelson Mandela University, UKZN and Walter Sisulu University
Acting Head of Department, Anthropology & Criminology
Judge, Three-Minute Thesis Competition & HSS Awards (2023)
Selected Publications
A selection from Professor Theodore Petrus's 45+ peer-reviewed publications spanning anthropology, criminology, doctoral pedagogy and leadership.
Media & Public Commentary
Professor Theodore Petrus is a regular commentator in South African media on crime, policing, violence, social transformation and higher education. View his published articles and interviews.
