A short summary of Marcus's Research:

Reconciliation and transformation in South Africa 30 years after apartheid is often thought of in terms of creating diverse spaces and giving people access to privileges others have been enjoying for a long time, e.g. in education. What tends to be missed here is that people come with a range of epistemologies (ways of knowing) and ontologies (ways of perceiving and making sense of the world) that are often embedded in and expressed by their languages (I prefer the term 'languacultures'). This means that people joining contexts (like schools, universities or churches) where Eurocentric epistemologies and ontologies are the standard, those previously on the margins face a huge challenge of actually making these spaces diverse. The reason is that through the centering of a language of European origin, they are expected to conform to ways of thinking and categorising the world that originate in the West and are usually rooted in secular traditions that are not universal. How then to work for equality and (epistemic) justice? How to build on the foundations that people already have, rather than expecting them to build on what other people take for granted? The latter is what Chirevo Kwenda called 'cultural injustice'. Since

languages/languacultures contain and express ways of being, knowing and seeing the world (and for this very reason make translation very difficult or misleading), my research involves looking at the implications of using languages like English as a means of creating equality and at possible alternatives. This has to do with facing and dismantling coloniality (of knowledge, in particular). In decolonisation, one key question is what the privileged can do to contribute to greater equality. I therefore focus much on those who - like myself - come from a white, Western (in my case, German) background. At the same time, in order to learn about different ways of seeing the world, part of my work consists of the ongoing learning of isiXhosa and using it as much as possible in research, social interaction and teaching.

Research for Impact is one of the core strategic themes in SU`s Vision 2040. Can you describe the (potential) impact of your research?

My research can create awareness of the great value of education (in the widest sense, i.e. including the preaching in churches) in people's home languages for educational success and effective community transformation. At the same time, I'm trying to point out the potential of more people of Eurocentric heritage making themselves vulnerable linguistically to those whose backgrounds are in languacultures different from their own. This would be expressed in people learning and working in African languages rather than in English wherever this is feasible (e.g. theological education), which would necessitate significant exposure to the respective communities. This boundary-crossing work that centers African perspectives and experiences, besides its practical value, could at the same time be an important contributor to reconciliation and justice.

In the ever-changing environment of academia, what are some of the obstacles postdoctoral researchers are faced with?

An obvious obstacle is limited funding. I do, however, appreciate that there is a lot of opportunities for postdoctoral researchers that are there to be discovered and used.

What would you regard as the most important aspects to consider to effectively support postdoctoral researchers?

An encouraging and supportive academic host who can act as a bridge into the wider academy and mentor for a life as an academic.

What excites you about your work? 

The uncovering of cultural-linguistic differences that usually remain concealed to us when we assume that in culturally diverse spaces we get by in English. The humbling privilege of being gradually included in another cultural-linguistic speech community (in my case, isiXhosa-speakers). The welcoming and encouraging signals to my work by the academic community.

When you're not in the lab, library or in the field conducting research, what do you do to unwind?

Read (for myself, to my kids or with my wife), go for walks, watch soccer, end day with prayer.

How has the postdoctoral researcher programme of SU contributed to your research career? 

It has provided me with the opportunity to follow up on my PhD and allow the necessary time to discover long-term goals in academia and beyond.

What advice, if any, would you look to impart to future postdoctoral researchers?

Take it as a phase 'in-between' and from the start integrate the discernment of long-term opportunities and direction. Make use of the wisdom and experience of your academic hosts - they can be valuable assets.

Connect with Marcus and his work:

SUN Academia: https://sun.academia.edu/MarcusGrohmann

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marcus-Grohmann-2