Degrees Held
- BSOCSC
- BSOCSC Hons (Sociology)
- MSOCSC (Sociology)
Research Interests
- Policy Networks
- Policy Implementation
- Governance
- Social Media
- Pedagogy
- Social Marketing
Teaching Interests
- Policy Analysis
- Policy Implementation
- Policy Management
- Governance
- Sociology
- Methodology
Selected Publications
- Rieker, M. I & Sabi, S. C. (2017). The role of civil society in health policy making in South Africa: A review of the strategies adopted by the Treatment Action Campaign. African Journal of AIDS Research, 16(1), 57–64.
- Rieker, M. I., & Medoye, D. T. (2017). Towards continental integration in Africa: Examining the capacity of the African Union Commission (AUC) institution as a facilitating tool. Journal Global Policy and Governance, 6(1), 29–44.
- Rieker, M. I., & Medoye, D. T. (2017). Crisis of diplomatic etiquette and the 2015 African Union Summit in South Africa: Is the International Criminal Court at a crossroads on Omar al-Bashir’s arrest? Journal of Transition Studies Review, 24(1), 87–99.
- Rieker, M., & Tahboula, R. (2015). Policy implementation and policy networks: A case study of the Centre for Rural Advancement. Loyola Journal of Social Sciences, 29(1).
- Rieker, M. I., & Burton, S. (2006). Social marketing and ICTs in road safety promotion: A pilot study in South Africa. Loyola Journal of Social Sciences, 20(2), 171–182.
- Rieker, M. I. (2022). New spaces of engagement in higher education: An exploration of the use of WhatsApp groups by staff and students in the School of Social Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic. In M. Naidu & V. Ojong (Eds.), The Pandemic and Social Science Approaches to Teaching and Learning (pp. 18–39). Langaa RPCIG.
- Ferrante, J., Johnson, B., & Rieker, M. I. (2016). Methods of social research. In M. Seedat-Khan, Z. Jansen, & R. Smith (Eds.), Sociology: A South African perspective. Cengage Learning.
Supervision (Honours, Masters, PhD)
Madlala, R.M. (2025). The implementation of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system in government departments: A case study of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Moloi, N.B. (2023). The role of civil society in responding to the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa: A case study of Gift of the Givers Foundation. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mpabanga, M.B. (2022). Public participation, service delivery and development: A case study of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Khanyile, G.S. (2022). Policy coordination in intergovernmental relations in South Africa: A case study of higher education institutions. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Buthelezi, A.L. (2021). The role of a Facebook group in facilitating public participation, civic engagement and social capital: A case study of Willowfontain community in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mncibi, V.S. (2021). A gendered approach to migration through the prism of human trafficking in armed conflicts for terrorism: The women of the Islamic State. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mchunu, L.C. (2016). An evaluation of performance management: A case study of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) implementation in Majuba TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Koetlisi, N.G. (2016). Agenda setting analysis of hydraulic fracturing in South Africa: An application of Kingdon’s agenda setting theory. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Zondi, S. (2015). Assessing policy responses of African states and international actors on the threats of transnational terrorism to Africa’s security and stability: A case study of Kenya. Masters in Policy and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Gumbi, L. (2014). An Analysis of Public Participation in the Integrated Development Planning Processes of the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mofokeng, R. (2014). Participatory Development: A case study of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project: Phase I. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mwau, D. (2014). A Critical Analysis of the Implementation of the Slum Upgrading Policies in Kenya. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Sabi, S. (2014). The Role of Civil Society in Policy Advocacy: A Case Study of the Treatment Action Campaign and Health Policy in South Africa. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Sehloho, M. (2014). The Role of Networks in Civil Society in Lesotho: A Case Study of World Vision Lesotho. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Shezi, N. (2014). The Implementation of Guidelines for Early Childhood Development (ECD) services: An evaluation of Early Childhood Development Centres in uMkhambathini Local Municipality. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Simbi, G. (2014). The Role of Faith-Based Organisations in Policy Development: A case study of the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Community Social Action (PACSA). Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Wolde, E. (2014). A Critical Analysis of the Policy Implementation of Freedom of the Press in Ethiopia Under the Rule of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Zondi, B. (2014). Decentralized Spaces for Change: A case study of the Lunerburg War Room at eDumbe Local Municipality. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Ngubane, B. (2012). An Implementation Analysis of the Zibambele Road Maintenance Programme in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Ranganai, E. (2012). The Role of Civil Society Organisations in Policy Implementation: A case study of the Centre for Criminal Justice. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Ruzindana, J. (2012). A Critical Analysis of the Policy Advocacy Role of Civil Society Organisations in Land Reform Issues: A case study of AFRA in the Land Redistribution Programme in KwaZulu-Natal. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Dlamini, B. (2011). An Implementation Analysis of the Vukuzakhe Emerging Contractor Development Programme in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Koma, N. (2011). An Implementation Analysis of the Graduate Internship Programme of the South African Department of Public Service and Administration. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Letlisa, M. (2011). A Policy Agenda-Setting Analysis of Free Higher Education in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Nala, N. (2011). The Impact of the Extended Curriculum Programme and Students’ Experiences of the Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Masters in Sociology. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Obaje, T. (2011). The Challenges and Benefits of Policy Networks: A case study of labour policy implementation at the Centre for Criminal Justice. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Okem, A. (2011). A Policy Analysis of e-Learning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Tahboula, R. (2011). Implementation in a policy networks setting: A case study of the Association for Rural Advancement’s implementation of the Farm Dwellers’ project. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mayombe, C. (2010). An Evaluation of the Implementation of Construction Learnerships in the Expanded Public Works Programme: A case study of eThekwini Vuk’uphile I, KwaZulu-Natal. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Shozi, S. (2010). A Social-Cognitive Investigation of Drinking and Driving among Young Males in Pietermaritzburg. Masters in Sociology. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Dumakude, V. (2009). A Policy Analysis of the Implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in Six Secondary Schools in KwaZulu-Natal. Masters in Policy and Development Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Community Engagement
- Mark Rieker has been involved in collaborative partnerships with the Centre for Criminal Justice; The Association for Rural Advancement and The Centre for Advanced Research Methods and Analysis.
Teaching Expertise
- Policy Studies