Schalk Mouton is a communications professional with over 20 years’ experience as a journalist and advocacy and engagement communicator. Schalk currently works as a Senior Communications Officer for one of the top research intensive universities in Africa, Wits University, South Africa. As part of the Wits Communications team, which won the Communication Award at the National Science and Technology Forum’s NSTF-South 32 Awards in 2019, Schalk is responsible for advancing the University’s reputation by communicating Wits’ research in a clear, interesting, understandable way to various audiences. This includes mainstream media, the general public and policy-makers, through various channels and mediums, including digital, print, video and film, social media and sound. Schalk is the Founding Editor of Wits’ award-winning research Magazine, Curios.ty.

As a senior member of the Wits Communications team, Schalk is often called upon to provide advice and strategic leadership to Wits’ senior management, executive and academics on communication matters, and designing tailored communications and advocacy campaigns.

Before joining Wits University, Schalk worked as a journalist at several of South Africa’s largest daily newspapers. This included serving as a news editor at the national dailies, Beeld and The Times newspapers.