INVEST visitor: Nicolette Roman

In the “INVEST visitors” series, we present visiting professors and fellows who have arrived at the flagship INVEST. This time we are introducing Senior Professor Nicolette Roman.

I am Nicolette ‘Nicky’ Roman, Senior Professor and South African Research Chair in the Study of Families. I am also the Founder and Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families and Society in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town. My research focus is to enhance human and family capabilities for family well-being and social cohesion. A large component of my Chair is to strengthen capacity so I train staff and students on different research methods and writing for publication.

Why do you want to visit INVEST?

I’m really excited about the opportunity to spend time at INVEST because I’ve been following some of the work at INVEST since I applied for the Fellowship and am genuinely inspired by the research being done to support families. The focus on improving the lives of families is something I care deeply about.

I see this short-stay fellowship as a chance not just to learn, but to really engage with people who are passionate about the same issues. I’m looking forward to seeing how INVEST brings together different perspectives and disciplines, and I hope to take away new ideas and approaches that I can share with my own research teams and colleagues back home. For me, this is a valuable learning experience and a chance to grow as a researcher and as part of a wider community working for positive change.

What do you hope to reach during your visit to INVEST? 

During my time at INVEST, I hope to learn as much as I can from everyone I meet—whether it’s through formal meetings, informal conversations, or just being part of the day-to-day life at INVEST. I’m eager to pick up new research methods, hear about the latest findings, and get a sense of how INVEST connects research with real-world impact. My goal is to bring back fresh knowledge and inspiration to my own teams and students, and to share what I’ve learned so we can all benefit. I also hope to build lasting connections with people at INVEST, so that we can keep learning from each other even after my visit ends. Ultimately, I want this experience to help me grow and to contribute in new ways to the work we’re doing at my home institution.