Forensic reporter
A Monash University academic has become the face of South Africa's most-watched reality crime show, adding an informed, expert commentary to the discussion of crime and its causes.
By day, Dr Robert Peacock lectures students on criminology and criminal justice at Monash South Africa. But one night a week, he enters the homes of millions of television viewers across South Africa as the chief criminologist and anchor on TV crime documentary series Solving It.
Dr Peacock uses his knowledge of victimology and forensics - forged over more than a decade of research - to provide in-depth analysis of the forces at work behind some of South Africa's most serious crimes.
The show screening on the English-speaking commercial South African Broadcasting Commission television station SABC3 is in its fourth year and covers hate crime, family violence, youth and identity, and the world of criminal elites.
For Dr Peacock the prime time exposure provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the social factors that drive crime.
"Despite the high rate of crime in South Africa, there is a noticeable lack of informed discussion on crime, justice and victim empowerment," Dr Peacock said.
"Although I've never envisaged myself in the media spotlight, the huge reach of the show makes it an ideal platform to lead public debate and generate greater understanding of why people commit crimes.
"The format also encourages the community to critically assess crime and victimisation risk, and to appraise the impact of criminal behaviour on the rights of individuals, communities and society as a whole."
Dr Peacock has appeared in all 39 episodes of the fourth series of the show after becoming its central commentator. Previously he had appeared to analyse individual crimes.
He said the show raised the University's profile as a community-focused institution in South Africa.
Monash opened the Johannesburg campus in 2001 in the belief that higher education, and public higher education especially, had immense potential to contribute to the consolidation of democracy and social justice in South Africa, and the growth and development of the economy.
Dr Peacock said the television experience of Solving It fed also back into his teaching role and would benefit the next generation of African leaders currently studying at Monash.
"It has taught me a lot about presenting scientific knowledge in an interesting way, he said.
"It's a model for the lecture hall, showing how a fact-based and analytical approach can explain the world around us and aid public understanding of an emotionally-charged issue like crime."
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