Scholarship of Research (SoR)

As an academic deeply committed to Engaged Scholarship, I view the university not only as a place of learning but as an active agent of societal transformation. My research philosophy is deeply intertwined with the evolution of higher education institutions (HEIs) from traditional Mode 1 to the more dynamic and socially responsive Mode 2. Mode 1 represents the conventional paradigm of knowledge production, characterized by disciplinary silos, where academic inquiry is driven primarily by theoretical or disciplinary concerns, often detached from societal needs. In contrast, my commitment to Engaged Scholarship aligns with the principles of Mode 2, which emphasizes transdisciplinary approaches, problem-solving in real-world contexts, and the co-creation of knowledge with communities and stakeholders. This shift is not merely methodological but represents a fundamental reorientation of higher education's role in society - towards active participation in addressing social injustices and fostering societal transformation. Additionally, such a shift ensures the ongoing integration of learning and teaching, service/community engagement, and research, where each component informs and enriches the others in a symbiotic relationship, fostering continuous improvement and impactful outcomes. 

In my embrace of Mode 2, I champion the idea that academia has a crucial role in breaking down the walls that traditionally separate it from the broader community. I actively pursue partnerships that bring together scholars, students, community members, practitioners, and policymakers to tackle pressing social issues collaboratively. These partnerships are grounded in mutual respect and the recognition that all participants bring valuable perspectives and knowledge to the table. This approach enriches the educational journey by grounding learning in real-world challenges, thereby making academic work more relevant and impactful.

My philosophy also challenges the traditional metrics of academic success, advocating for a broader evaluation that recognizes the value of societal impact and community engagement. I believe that HEIs should not only disseminate knowledge but also actively contribute to the social good by addressing the needs and challenges of the communities they serve and citizens at large. This involves reimagining the curriculum, research agendas, and institutional policies to prioritize social justice, equity, and sustainability. By aligning my work with the Mode 2 framework, I seek to contribute to a more equitable society through engaged scholarship. This means not only advancing knowledge but also working tirelessly to ensure that this knowledge leads to tangible improvements in people's lives. 

My goal is to foster an academic culture that values inclusivity, embraces diversity, and prioritizes the collective well-being, thereby redefining the purpose and practice of higher education in the 21st century. Through this commitment, I aim to not just navigate the shift from Mode 1 to Mode 2 but to be a proactive force in shaping this transformation, ensuring that higher education remains a potent force for social justice and positive change.

I am driven by the following Principles of Engaged Research: 

Ethical & Inclusive Partnerships: Building equitable, long-term partnerships with communities and stakeholders, ensuring mutual respect, shared decision-making, and co-creation of research agendas; Participatory Methods: Employing participatory methods that actively involve community members and stakeholders in the research process, ensuring their voices and perspectives are integral to the development, implementation, and dissemination of research findings; Social Justice Focus: Guiding all research endeavours by a commitment to social justice, aiming to uncover and address the root causes of social disparities; Impact-Oriented: Measuring success not only by academic metrics but also by the tangible positive impacts on the communities involved and society at large; and Reflective Practice: Engaging in continuous reflection and dialogue with communities, stakeholders, partners and colleagues to critically assess the ethical implications, power dynamics, and effectiveness of research practices.

My vision for engaged research is to foster a dynamic and inclusive academic environment where the boundaries between the university staff and students with different communities, stakeholders and partners are fluid and collaborative. I aim to lead research initiatives that: 1) empower staff and students, governments, industries, businesses, civic organisation and civil society, 2) advance knowledge and practice, 3) influence policy and practice, 4) foster academic and community growth, and 5) promote sustainability and equity.  I aim to not only advance my academic career but also make a meaningful contribution to social justice and community development, ensuring that my research has a lasting positive impact on society.

To realize this vision, I will: Establish Collaborative Networks: Develop strong partnerships with community organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders to co-create research projects that address shared goals with social transformation impact; Secure Funding for Engaged Research: Actively seek funding opportunities that support engaged research initiatives, ensuring financial sustainability; Mentor and Train: Provide mentorship and training for students and early-career researchers in engaged research methodologies, fostering the next generation of socially committed scholars; Disseminate Research Broadly: Share research findings through accessible platforms, including community workshops, policy briefs, and open-access publications, to maximize reach and impact; and  Evaluate and Reflect: Continuously evaluate the outcomes and impact of my research projects and seek feedback from communities and partners to improve future initiatives.

The above also aligns with, the 2021 NRF Framework to Advance the Societal and Knowledge Impact of Research and more specifically with its engaged research pathway and its respective enablers (NRF, 2021:12) (see further below the NRF framework and engaged research enablers on p.12).  

My Pathway to Engaged Research with Societal Impact are as follows:

Input: End-user Engagement: Within the development of research proposals, I prioritize engaging end-users as key participants. This involves negotiating and valuing their inputs to ensure that research is participatory and aligns with their needs and perspectives.; Activities: Establishing Research Partnerships and Networks: At institutional, researcher, community and stakeholder levels, I focus on creating partnerships that use diverse participatory methods ensuring reciprocity and co-creation of knowledge. These partnerships are designed to address community-identified needs and priorities; Output: Engaged Research Processes and Networks, Events and Interactions, Products: My research outputs include processes and networks, events, and products realized through reciprocal and mutually beneficial exchanges of knowledge and resources. These outputs are designed to be accessible and actionable for community stakeholders; Outcomes: Research Uptake by End-users: By engaging end-users at the proposal development stage and throughout the research process, I enhance the likelihood of research uptake and application. This approach ensures that the research is relevant and beneficial to those it aims to serve; and Impact: Impact Experienced within the Societal and/or Knowledge Domains: My ultimate goal is to achieve sustainable positive change within societal (social, economic, environmental) and knowledge domains. This involves monitoring and evaluating the impact of research to ensure it contributes to long-term community well-being and social justice. As an example please see the SoE-SI KMS web portal project for which I am the coordinator and also had to develop the indicators tools to enable all staff, students and partners to assess the Societal impact aligned with the NDP: Vision 2030 and the SDGs.

My Research Focus Areas are: 

Integrative Community Development Well-being Assessment,  Professional Development and Community Engagement and Scholarship of Engagement at Higher Education.

Community Well-being: My research delves into the multifaceted dimensions of well-being, examining factors/indicators that contribute to physical, socio-economic and environmental sustainability across various communities and societies. By exploring the impact of physical, socio-economic and environmental disparities on well-being and investigating effective interventions, my work aims to inform policies and practices that promote integrative and sustainable well-being for communities and society at large. (See my training workshops, conference presentations, frameworks and tools that I developed)

Professional Development: As a community development practitioner and activist the past part of the past 12 years of my research has been focused on community development practice and professionalization. As a staunch advocate for lifelong learning and growth, my research on professional development encompasses norms and standards for professional practice, skill acquisition, leadership development, and career advancement strategies. I seek to identify best practices for nurturing talent and cultivating expertise in diverse professional settings, emphasizing fostering inclusive and equitable pathways to success. (See my policy outputs, related publications and training workshops regarding the norms and standards for practice and professional occupational development 

Monitoring and Evaluation: Central to my research agenda is developing and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess programmes' effectiveness and efficiency, policies, and interventions. By collaborating with stakeholders to design rigorous evaluation protocols, I aim to yield actionable insights for continuous improvement and informed decision-making. I explore innovative methods and approaches that enhance the validity, reliability, and utility of assessment processes. From employing cutting-edge data analytics techniques to integrating participatory evaluation methodologies, my research broadens the toolkit available to practitioners and researchers, empowering them to conduct evaluations that yield meaningful and actionable findings.(See my training workshops, conference presentations, frameworks and tools that I developed)