Degrees Held
- Doctorate (Culture, Communication and Media Studies), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban (2012)
- Master of Arts (cum laude) (Communication and Media Studies), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban (2003)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours (Drama and Performance Studies Media and Communication), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban (2001)
- Bachelor of Arts (Drama and Performance Studies Media and Communication) University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban (2000)
Research Interests
Participatory communication, cultural studies, critical indigenous methodologies, identity
Teaching Interests
- Qualitative methodology
- Social change communication
- Participatory communication
- Cultural studies
- Media theory
Research Record / Selected Publications
Journal Articles
Chapters In Books
Journal Articles
- Dyll, L., and Tomaselli, K.G. (2025) Cultural Studies with Communities in South Africa: Implications for Participatory Development Communication and Social Change Research. Special Issue: Reconceptualising Communication for Development, Social Sciences 13: 614. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci1311061
- Dyll, L., & Tomaselli, K.G (2024) Rapid Communication: Critical Management Studies/Cultural Studies. Critical Arts, 37(5), 108–110. https://doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2024.2305829
- Nzimande, M. & Dyll, L. (2023) Zulu masculinities in South African soap opera: Uzalo, Imbewu and Isibaya. Critical Arts, 37(5), 20-39.
- Gumede, M.L., Dyll, L., & Lubombo, M. (2023) P(owe)r in communicative practice? HIV prevention communication and the Woza Asibonisane Community Responses Project (WACRP), South Africa. Revista Media & Jornalismo, 23(42), 91-106. https://doi.org/10.14195/2183-5462_42_5
- Grant, J., Tomaselli, K.G & Dyll, LE (2022) Insights into a Beneficial but Labour Intensive Post-Doctoral Publishing Project, Critical Arts, 36(3)-4, 1-7, DOI: 10.1080/02560046.2022.2172830
- Dyll, L. (2020) Methods of “Literacy” in Indigenising Research Education: Transformative Methods Used in the Kalahari, Critical Arts, 33(4-5) 122-142, https://doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2019.1704810
- Lubombo, M. & Dyll L.E. (2018) A Dialectic Analysis of Views on Participation in HIV/AIDS Communication of Selected South African People Living with HIV/AIDS: Beyond the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Critical Arts, 32(2), 100-118. DOI: 10.1080/02560046.2018.1434218
- Dyll, L.E (2018a) Indigenous environmental knowledge and challenging dualisms in development: observations from the Kalahari, Development in Practice, 28(3), 332-344. DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2018.1438368
- 2016 Dyll, L. & Tomaselli. K.G. Rethinking the researcher-researched relationship: Research participants as prodsumers. Communicare: Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern Africa, 35(1), 1-20 https://journals.co.za/content/comcare/35/1/EJC195360
- Dyll-Myklebust, L. & Zwane, D. (2015) Uncovering barriers to bilharzia prevention communication in Ugu district, South Africa: Lessons learned through participatory communication, Communicare: Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern Africa, 34(1), 65-81. Available at: https://journals.co.za/content/comcare/34/1/EJC178694
- Tomaselli, K. & Dyll-Myklebust, L (2015) Public self-expression: Decolonising researcher–researched relationships, Communicatio: South African Journal of Communication Theory and Research, 41(3), 354-373. DOI: 10.1080/02500167.2015.1093328
- Lange, M.E. & Dyll-Myklebust, L (2015) Spirituality, shifting identities and social change: cases from the Kalahari landscape, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 71(1), 11 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v71i1.2985.
- Govender, E., Dyll-Myklebust, L., Delate, R., & Sundar, T.(2014) Social networks as a platform to discuss sexual networks: Intersexions and Facebook as catalysts for behaviour change, The African Communication Research Journal: Using Entertainment Formats in Educational Broadcasting, 6(1), 65-88. Available at: http://ccms.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/staff-documents/ACR_vol_6_No_1_1.sflb.ashx#page=68
- Dyll-Myklebust, L. (20140 Development narratives: the value of multiple voices and ontologies in Kalahari research, Critical Arts: South-North Cultural and Media Studies, 28(3), 521-538. https://doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2014.929214
- Cardey, S., Garforth, C., Govender, E., & Dyll-Myklebust, L. (2013) Entertainment-Education Theory and Practice in HIV/AIDS Communication: A South African / United Kingdom comparison, Critical Arts: South-North Cultural and Media Studies, 27(3), 288-310. https://doi.org/10.1080/02560046.2013.800665
- Dyll, L. (2003) In the Sun with Silikat, Current Writing: Text and Reception in Southern Africa, 15. Special Issue, 135-150. DOI: 1080/1013929x.2003.9678178
Chapters In Books
- Gibson, S., Dyll, L., Govender, E., and Gumede, M. (2023) Communication in Society: Health Communication and Cultural Studies. In George Angelopulo and Elizabeth Lubinga (eds.) Introduction to Communication Studies. 3rd edition. Chapter 14, pp. 345-367. Cape Town: Juta.
- Teer-Tomaselli, R., Dyll, L. and Govender, E. (2021) Twenty years of communicating social change: A Southern African perspective on teaching, researching and doing. In Servaes, J. (ed.) Learning from communicators in social change, pp. 211-233. Springer, Singapore.
- Gibson, S., Dyll, L. Teer-Tomaselli, R. (2019) Chapter 16: Entertaining the Nation: Incentivising the Indigenisation of Soap Opera in South Africa. In Sigismondi, P. (ed.) World Entertainment Media: Global, Regional and Local Perspectives. New York: Routledge, 142-152.
- Dyll, L. (2018) Autoethnography and reflexivity: where does the researcher fit in? In Tomaselli, K.G. (ed.) Making Sense of Research. South Africa: van Schaik publishers, pg. 143-150.
- Tomaselli, K.G. & Dyll, L. (2018) Navigating ethical clearance: farce and force. In Tomaselli, K.G. (ed.) Making Sense of Research. South Africa: van Schaik publishers, pg. 289-299.
- Evans H.C., Dyll L., Teer-Tomaselli R. (2018) Communicating Climate Change: Theories and Perspectives. In: Leal Filho W., Manolas E., Azul A., Azeiteiro U., McGhie H. (eds.) Handbook of Climate Change Communication: Vol. 1. Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham, 107 – 122. DOI: 1007/978-3-319-69838-0_7
- Dyll-Myklebust, L. (2014) Development narratives: the value of multiple voices and ontologies in Kalahari research. In Tomaselli, K.G and Wessels, M. (eds.) San Representation: Politics, Practice and Possibilities. London and New York: Routledge, 57-76.
- Dyll-Myklebust, L. (2013) Chapter 5. Blurring the lines: Rethinking Indigeneity research at Biesje Poort. In Lange M.E., Müller Jansen L., Fisher R.C., Tomaselli K.G. and Morris, D. (eds.) Engraved Landscape. Biesje Poort: Many Voices. Pretoria: Tormentosa, 81-87.
- Tomaselli, K.G., Dyll-Myklebust, L. & van Grootheest, S. (2013) Personal/Political Interventions via Autoethnography: Dualisms, Knowledge, Power and Performativity in Research Relations. In Holman Jones, S., Adams, T.E., Ellis, C. (eds.) The Handbook of Autoethnography. California: Left Coast Books
- Teer-Tomaselli, R. & Dyll-Myklebust, L. (2012) Chapter 26. Finding Yourself in the Past, the Present, the Local and the Global: Potentialities of Mediated Cosmopolitanism as a Research Methodology. In Volkmer, I. (ed.) Handbook of Global Media Research. UK: Wiley Blackwell, 451-470. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118255278.ch26
- Dyll-Myklebust, L. & Finlay, K. (2012) Chapter 9. Action (Marketing) Research and Paradigms in Partnerships: A Critical Analysis of !Xaus Lodge. In Tomaselli, K. (ed.) Cultural Tourism and Identity: Rethinking Indigeniety. Leiden: Brill, 119-136. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004234581_010
- Dyll-Myklebust, L. (2012) Chapter 13. Public-Private-Community Partnership Model for Participatory Lodge (Tourism) Development. In Tomaselli, K. (ed.) Cultural Tourism and Identity: Rethinking Indigeniety. Leiden: Brill, 180-214. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004234581_014
- Dyll, L. (2009) Community Development Strategies in the Kalahari – an expression of Modernization’s Monologue? In Hottola, P. (ed.) Tourism Strategies and Local Responses in Southern Africa. Wallingford: CAB International, 41-60. DOI: 10.1079/9781845935085.0041
- Tomaselli, K.G., Dyll, L & Francis, M. (2008)‘Self’ and ‘Other’: Auto-Reflexive and Indigenous Ethnography. In Denzin, N. et al. (ed.) Handbook of Critical and Indigenous Methodologies. London: Sage, 347-372. DOI: 10.4135/9781483385686.n17
- Dyll, L. (2007) In the Sun with Silikat. In Tomaselli, K.G (ed.) Writing in the Sanld: Autoethnography Among Indigenous Southern Africans. Walnut Creek, California: Altamira Press, 117-130.
Community Involvement
- (2025 – 2028) Co-Chair of the Participatory Communication Research (PCR) Section of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR)
- (2023 – present) Co-editor of the journal, Critical Arts: South-North Cultural and Media Studies (Taylor and Francis)
- (2020 – 2022) Community Engagement Academic Leader for the School of Applied Sciences, College of Humanities, UKZN
- (2021-2024) Member of International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) Clearinghouse Committee
- (2023 – present) Editorial board member for The Journal of Autoethnography (University of California Press)
- 2022 – present Communication, Technology and Development Journal (published by UNESCO Chair at University Bordeaux Montaigne for Emerging Practices in Technology and Communication for Development)
- (2017 – present) Research Portfolio Leader and Finance Officer for ARROWSA: Art, Culture and Heritage for Peace (Reg 088-058 NPO) is a registered voluntary non-profit peace organisation in South Africa
Teaching Expertise
- Development Communication Masters Module (Uganda Christian University)
- Research Methodologies for Postgraduate Students (CHUM, UKZN PhD coursework, PhD finalisation workshops)
- Media Theory Honours Module (CCMS 733) UKZN
- Social Change and Health Communication Honours Module (CCMS734) UKZN
- Research Methodology for Media and Cultural Studies Honours Module (CCMS731) and (MECS 704) UKZN
- CCMS Research Project: Honours Special Topics (CCMS770) UKZN
- Communication for Participatory Development Honours and Masters Module (CCMS 718 / 818) UKZN
- Development, Communication and Culture Honours and Masters Module (717 / 817) UKZN
- Advanced Media Studies Masters coursework module (MKVD) (Högskolan i Gävle, Sweden).
- Media and Cultural Theory 3rd year module (Högskolan i Gävle, Sweden)
- Strategic Communication 2nd year module (Högskolan i Gävle, Sweden)
- World Learning, School of International Training Study Abroad Programme, Health Communication Module
- Appreciation and Development 1 – Film (Video Technology Dept., DUT)
- Appreciation and Development 2 – Television (Video Technology Dept., DUT)
- Culture and Diversity in the Rainbow Nation Module (section: South African Film: A Third Cinema Aesthetic) (UKZN Winter School)
- Contemporary Film Theory Honours and Masters Module CCMS (UKZN)
Student Supervision
Masters
PhD
Masters
Current Students
- Viginia Tapfuma (2024) An evaluation of ethical and regulatory aspects of health research in Zimbabwe and their Impact on health research and ethics in the changing world
- Simphiwe Maphanga (2024) A Semiotic Comparison of Shaka Zulu (1986) and Shaka Ilembe (2023) Television Series Posters
- David Leslie (2024) Can stories save? A study of narrative transportation and efficacy with Cato Manor youth, South Africa
Graduated
- Luyanda Xulu (Graduated 2024) Examining the reporting of Xenophobia and Afrophobia in Sowetan Live and the Daily Sun Online news publications from January 2022 – May 2022
- Zanele Nxumalo (Graduated 2023) News reporting on the experiences of University students in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic. A content analysis of News24 and TimesLive
- Qiniso Mbili (Graduated 2024) The challenges and benefits of documenting Bakoni tangible heritage and perceptions thereof using Photovoice
- Cebisa Khwebulana (Graduated 2021) Inviting xenophobia? An examination of Ilanga and Isolezwe’s coverage of the 2015 xenophobic attacks in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Francisca Nyaradzo Nhongonhema (Graduated 2021) Examining online and offline community perceptions of social media activism in Zimbabwe: A case of a Facebook Campaign against child sex work in Epworth, Zimbabwe
- Zandile Mthethwa (Graduated 2021) The role of culture in health care provision to people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in UMkhanyakude District, North of KwaZulu-Natal: A nurse’s perspective
- Clifford Jani (Graduated 2019 -cum laude) The Good, the Bad and the Balanced: A critical analysis of the representation of black African migrants in the South African Daily News and Daily Sun newspapers
- Phillip Isaiah Smith (Graduated 2019) African foreign student behavioural practice towards the University of KwaZulu-Natal HIV and AIDS support programme
- Musa Mpanza (Graduated 2019) Audience interpretation of the representation of violence and gangsterism in South African television, a case study of Uzalo
- Janet Onuh (Graduated 2018) Representation of The Matriarch in South African Soap Opera: A Case Study of Uzalo
- Oluwatola Fasakin (Graduated 2018, cum laude) Parent-adolescent communication on Risky Sexual Behaviour: Facilitators and Barriers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Siyabonga Mhlongo (Graduated 2017) Asikhulumeni / ‘Let us talk’: Investigating stakeholders’ perspectives of service delivery protests in Cato Manor, Durban
- Ashley Gavu (Graduated 2017) Contemporary relevance of the cultural practice of roora: Comparing the perceptions of Zimbabwean young adults and the older generation
- Sipheto Mkhize (Graduated 2017) Examining critical factors, opportunities and limitations of community dialogues: A case study of DramAidE’s Zazi community dialogues as a conscientisation method to promote social change in the Zululand Region
- Kenalemang Nkwoji (Graduated 2017) The role of film in behavioural rehabilitation of youth in conflict with the law: Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre and Tsotsi
- Nduduzo Ngcobo (Graduated 2017, cum laude) Fashioning Meaning: The graphic t-shirt as an alternative form of socio-cultural communication about South Africa’s collective identity.
- Rosemary Masakadza (Graduated 2016, cum laude) The production, distribution and reception patterns of Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council’s (ZNFPC) female reproductive health communication messages in rural Zimbabwe. A case of Chikombedzi District, Masvingo Province
- Clive Shembe (Graduated 2016) Community participation in the Zimbabwe Community Development Association (ZCDA) ISAL project: A development communication perspective
- Precious Greehy (Graduated 2016) Assessing knowledge, practices and prevailing attitudes of KwaZulu-Natal health professionals towards men who have sex with men (MSM): exploring access to mainstream public health care services
- Nzo Nxumalo (Graduated 2015) University Cervical Cancer Health Communication Campaigns: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Black Female Students to Services Offered at UKZN
- Zuleika Sheik (Graduated 2014, cum laude) The power of subaltern voices in public-private-community partnerships? A case study on Baleni and Modjadji Camps in the African Ivory Route
- Nqobile Dlomo (Graduated 2014) Insights of Outsiders: Investigating the Mass Treatment Campaign Communication Strategy for Schistosomiasis Prevention in Ugu District, South Africa
- Dudu Zwane (Graduated 2013) Assessing Perceptions-Addressing (Mis) conceptions: The construction of a communication strategy to address the health needs of female teenagers affected by Bilharzia
- Miliswa Magongo (Graduated 2014) Ripples of Empowerment? Exploring the Role of Participatory Development Communication in the Biesje Poort Rock Art Recording Project
PhD
Current Students
- Veronica Adeti Mudongi (2025) Performing ‘the Invisible’: A Critical Study of Identity and Cultural Belonging of People with Albinism in Keyan Performing Arts
- Lunga Memela (2025) The efficacy of participatory methodologies in men’s mental health communication in a comparative cohort of men within eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal
- Timothy Pemba (2025) Leveraging social media for health investment promotion in Zimbabwe: Building journalistic and finfluencer capacity for the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency
- Rosemary Masakadza (2024) Migrant Women’s Awareness, Perceptions and Emotions of Cervical Cancer in Victor Khanye Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa
- Gilbert Lang’at (2024) Human Rights and Peacebuilding Media Reporting in the Kenyan Kerio Valley Conflict: Local Radio Perspectives
- Cebisa Khwebulana (2024) Unveiling Xenophobic Discourses? Understanding Public Perceptions of #Operation Dudula through Twitter Conversation in South Africa (2021-2024)
Graduated
- Shadreck Nembaware (2025 Graduated) Indigenising psycho-social support: An examination of Oliver Mtukudzi’s music in the context of the Shona community’s indigenous health practices
- Edward Mwesigye (2025 Graduated) The Role of Radio Rwanda as a Facilitator of Positive Youth Development: A Case Study of Kazi Ni Kazi Radio Programme 2020 – 2024
- Clifford Jani (Graduated 2024) A Discursive Analysis of the Construction of Afrophobia in TimesLive, News24 and Independent Online in South Africa, 2019 – 2022
- Janet Onuh (Graduated 2024) Changes and Continuities? Investigating the Representations and Readings of Female Characters in South African Soap Operas Uzalo and Scanda!!
- Noah Kupeta (Graduated 2024) Discontinuity without change? The place and discourse of colonial memory in Zimbabwe’s post- Mugabe ZANU-PF politics
- Mkhonzeni Gumede (Graduated 2022)Exploring community participation in community-led HIV/AIDS response projects: Lessons from Woza Asibonisane Community Responses Project in South Africa
- James Udoh (Graduated 2022) A Sociocultural Approach in Addressing Factors Associated with Pregnant Women and Alcohol Abuse in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal
- Melba Nzimande (Graduated 2021) An interpretive study of the representations of IsiZulu masculinity in the South African soap operas, Uzalo, Imbewu and Isibaya
- Brian Semujju (Graduated 2016) The Changing Community Media in Uganda from Broadcasting to Narrowcasting: Audiences and Community Audio Towers
- Musara Lubombo (Graduated 2015) Transcending GIPA: Towards an ubuntu framework for mainstreaming participation of people living with HIV in social change communication for HIV prevention in South Africa