Rate My Professor Anita Padmanabhanunni

Professor Anita Padmanabhanunni serves as Dean of the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. She previously served as Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of the Western Cape. She holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and a PhD in Psychology, both from Rhodes University. A registered counselling psychologist, Professor Padmanabhanunni has extensive experience in academic leadership and clinical practice. Her academic and professional journey is defined by a strong commitment to understanding and improving mental health through research, teaching, and community engagement. She is dedicated to advancing evidence-based practice in mental healthcare and developing strategies to enhance psychological resilience in individuals and communities. As a committee member of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Association of South Africa, she actively promotes the use of evidence-based psychological interventions in local contexts.

Recognised for her research excellence, Professor Padmanabhanunni holds a C2 rating from the South African National Research Foundation. Her work has attracted substantial research funding, including competitive grants from the NRF, the South African Medical Research Council, and the Wellcome Trust. Her leadership style is grounded in an ethos of care, fostering an academic environment that encourages both professional and personal growth while cultivating a strong sense of social responsibility among students and staff. She is committed to creating opportunities that empower academic staff and position the faculty at the forefront of innovative health sciences research through interdisciplinary collaboration.