Prof. Sara Grobbelaar – Faculty of Engineering – Stellenbosch University – Upskill & Scale Up

Womanity - Women in Unity

In this episode of Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Sara Grobbelaar from Stellenbosch University’s Department of Industrial Engineering. She is also a research associate at the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST). Professor Grobbelaar has an unmistakable sense of purpose and shares her multi-faceted journey through the world of engineering—charting an inspiring path that blends technical expertise with human-centered innovation.

From her early academic roots in electronic and computer engineering, her career has traversed a diverse landscape – including engineering management, technology policy at Cambridge, academic research, and consulting. What emerges from her story is not a straight path, but a tapestry of learning and transformation. Prof. Grobbelaar candidly reflects on the uncertainties and pivots of her journey, reminding listeners that career fulfillment often comes through exploration, not a single defining decision. Each experience, she emphasizes, contributed to her growth and shaped her current focus: applying systems engineering to solve complex, real-world problems in society.

Prof. Grobbelaar discusses the versatility and future-forward nature of industrial engineering, a discipline she believes is uniquely positioned to unlock efficiency, drive innovation, and foster inclusive solutions across sectors, from healthcare and education to logistics and social development. With enthusiasm, she highlights the rising number of women entering the field and advocates for broader inclusion in STEM, noting that over 50% of students in her programme are women a testament to the discipline’s accessibility and wide-reaching application.

Prof. Grobbelaar’s research is rooted in purpose. Through partnerships with organizations like FoodForward SA, MIT, and international development agencies, she is actively involved in transformative projects, such as vaccine distribution in Africa and frugal innovation to food security, education access, and health system strengthening. These initiatives demonstrate her belief in engineering as a tool not just for productivity, but for equity and systemic change. She speaks passionately about using data and modelling scenarios in tandem with community engagement and policy influence.

Prof. Grobbelaar also reflects deeply on mentorship, leadership, and the structural challenges faced by young women in research and STEM fields. Having supervised over 30 Masters and PhD students, she understands the pressures and pitfalls of academic research and is committed to building a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment. She stresses the importance of structure, community, and real-world relevance in keeping students engaged in the research process.

In one of the most poignant parts of the conversation, Prof. Grobbelaar opens up about balancing career, motherhood, and leadership. She speaks honestly about the importance of choosing the right life partner, the necessity of support networks, and the reality that success is never achieved alone. Her personal story becomes a beacon for young women wondering whether it is possible to “have it all.”

Drawing from her own life, she offers powerful advice: never let anyone deter you from studying further or tell you that you are overqualified, embrace the unknown, take up space, and dream big—then work hard. Her words are grounded in lived experience and shine with the clarity of someone who has walked the talk.

Tune in for more.