Junaid Denston
Academia Emerging Lecturer
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About
I am a trained actor and emerging Filmmaker striving to build a creative academic career with a passion for merging lecturing/teaching in basic and higher education with a professional attitude of engagement in both the Performing Arts, Filmmaking, and Television industries. My goals are to use Anthropological thinking through Socially Engaged Research and Practice-based Research within both teaching and the outputs of communities’ creative collaboration through their local contexts.
Experience
Academic & Teaching Experience
Rhodes University (2022–2025)
- Tutor, Anthropology Department (2022–2024)
- Tutor, Drama Department (2023)
- Teaching Assistant, Second-year Voice, Drama Department (2024)
- Temporary Lecturer / Contract Teacher, CHERTL – Anthropology Extended Studies (Semester 2, 2024)
- Teaching Assistant, Journalism & Media Studies Extended Studies (Semester 1, 2025)
- Trained Theatre Actor, Rhodes University (2021–Present)
- Support Actor, Rhodes University's 120th Anniversary TV Advertisement (2024)
- Extra, Netflix Series: MisEducation
(Shot in 2022, Released in 2023 – participated in two days of filming)
- Exchange Student, Malmö University, Sweden – Filmmaking and Socially Engaged Research (2025)
- Front of House Member, Drama Department (2023–2024)
- Student Assistant / Arts Administrator, Drama Department (2024, part-time)
- Office Assistant to HOD, Drama Department (Semester 2, 2024)
- RMR – Rhodes Music Radio – Host/Presenter in 2019
Education
Rhodes University
- Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Drama, and Journalism & Media Studies
Obtained in 2022, Graduated in 2023
- Bachelor of Arts (Joint) Honours in Anthropology and Drama
Obtained in 2023, Graduated in 2024
- Engage Certificate in Small Group Facilitation -Qualification obtained from Rhodes University, offering a free short course through CHERTL
- Master of Arts in Drama (Ongoing, 2025 since on an Exchange in Sweden); enrolled for MA Drama in 2024 for a two-year program of coursework and thesis, with year one completed.
- Exchange Student, Malmö University, Sweden (2025) for Semester One until June
Courses: Filmmaking and Socially Engaged Research
