UCT’s Council approved the appointment of Professor Jeff Murugan as acting DVC from 16 January to 31 July 2024 or until a substantive appointment is made – whichever comes first. Read the VC Desk announcement.

Jeff Murugan is Professor of Mathematical Physics in the Department of Mathematics & Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town (UCT). A former Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Science, he is also a Simons Associate at the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy, a former member of the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and a current member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.

Professor Murugan’s research interests are primarily in understanding emergent phenomena, from spacetime itself to the properties of quantum matter and information. His most recent focus has been on low-dimensional quantum field theories, topological quantum matter and quantum chaos in disordered systems where he has made seminal contributions to low-dimensional dualities and disordered conformal field theories.

He is also a recipient of a Distinguished Teacher Award at the University of Cape Town.