Uta Lehmann is a social scientist by training and has worked in public health and health personnel education for 30 over years.
She joined the SOPH in 1999, and was its director from 2009 to 2012, and again from 2017 until 2023. Her interests and expertise lie in strengthening community health systems, health policy and systems research, and human resource development. Her research projects have included a focus on understanding how relationships, power and politics impact on how health systems function, and exploring ways to support the voice and capacity of frontline providers and community health workers. She has led capacity strengthening initiatives for human resources development with sister institutions in other African countries and with international partners.
Uta retired at the end of 2025, and is now an emeritus professor with the School.
Projects
In the news
SOPH, UWC at PHASA 2025
18th Annual Public Health Conference: 6 – 9 APRIL 2025 –
Partnerships for Public Health: Sculpting a Healthier Future Together
Webinar: Universal Health Coverage in India: Critical Areas of Policy Reforms and Research for Better CHW Engagement
Oxfam Policy Management hosted a webinar on ‘Universal Health Coverage in India: Critical Areas of Policy Reforms and Research for Better CHW Engagement’ on 15 July 2021.
Public Health Needs Leaders With Heart – Public Health Leader Juanita O. Arendse Receives Jakes Gerwel Award 2020
“South Africa’s public health system faces a number of challenges – and we need leaders to solve them, not just managers. That’s one of the lessons COVID-19 has helped drive home – and it’s one we all need to learn.”
What lessons to draw from COVID-19 in Cape Town?
As public health researchers and educators in a city currently experiencing a seemingly runaway COVID-19 epidemic, we are increasingly being approached to provide our ‘expert’ opinion on the reasons for this.
Reflections on COVID-19 from a health systems perspective: Digest 1 & 2 & 3
In order to support the COVID response across the country, we thought there might be some value in sharing some of the many, many, many blogs and short pieces that present COVID-related experiences that are less well publicized in the mainstream global media.
Statement on COVID-19
In light of the accelerating Corona/COVID-19 crisis, and the announcements made by the president on 15 March
SOPH Statement on COVID-19
In light of the accelerating Corona/COVID-19 crisis, and the announcements made by the president on 15 March
Winter School 2020 temporarily suspended
After careful consideration we have had to decide to suspend this year’s winter school programme.
Hundreds turned out to UWC’s SOPH to pay tribute to the late David Sanders
Hundreds turned out to UWC’s School of Public Health to pay tribute to the late David Sanders
Tribute to David Sanders from Uta Lehmann
Since news of David Sanders’ sudden and untimely death broke on Saturday morning the tributes, messages and condolences via emails, whatsapp, phone calls, Facebook and Twitter have not stopped pouring in.
Statement on Xenophobic attacks
We, the School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape, condemn the physical and verbal attacks on our foreign sisters and brothers from Africa in the strongest possible terms.
Guide on building public health capacity through a short course professional development programme
The School of Public Health (SOPH) has been hosting continuing professional development short course programmes since its inception in 1992.
Invitation to the launch of a breastfeeding room in the SOPH, UWC
Prof Uta Lehmann, Director: School of Public Health and Prof Ernie Kunneke, HOD: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition cordially invite you to the launch of a dedicated breastfeeding room for UWC staff, students and visitors to our main campus.