Dr Stefanus (Stefan) van Zyl obtained the following degrees from the North-West University (South Africa): BA with Communication Subjects (cum laude, 2009); BA Honours in Afrikaans and Dutch (cum laude, 2010); BA Honours in Psychology (2013); MA in Afrikaans and Dutch (2013); and a PhD in Afrikaans and Dutch (2019).
His doctoral thesis, titled Hennie Aucamp: 'n gerontologiese oeuvrestudie (Hennie Aucamp: a gerontological oeuvre study), focuses on Afrikaans author Hennie Aucamp and the ways in which a gerontological approach to his prose, poetry, drama and cabaret texts lead to new insights in his literary oeuvre. The study was informed by theoretical concepts from the fields of literary gerontology, narrative gerontology, queer gerontology and intergenerational studies. Dr Van Zyl's current research interests include interdisciplinary studies of literature, psychology, sociology, gender studies, queer studies, gerontology, history of art and music.
Dr Van Zyl is currently a Language Practitioner at the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in Pretoria, South Africa, where he Edits and Translates various question papers and marking guidelines for the national TVET College examinations. Previously he worked as a Temporary Lecturer at the North-West University (2012–2015) in the subjects Afrikaans and Dutch Literature, History of Art and Academic Literacy.
