Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Research

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Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Research

Themes 3 and 4

Overview

Postgraduate Teaching and Learning (PG T&L) research aligns with the SARChI Chair’s mission to transform Post-School Education and Training (PSET). It explores policy, gender, knowledge systems, and pedagogies. Key strands include:

  • Policy and system analysis
  • Gender equity and redress
  • Conceptions of knowledge and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
  • Responsive postgraduate pedagogies

PG T&L: Size and Shape Study

Commissioned by the CHE, this study analyses trends in postgraduate enrolment, completion, and dropout by level, race, and gender. UNISA is analysed separately due to its unique nature. Data is structured in Excel format for further analysis.

Team: Charles Sheppard, Ahmed Essop, Shireen Motala, Sindi Msimango, Halima Namakula

Timelines: Quantitative data (Jan 2023), Qualitative data (Apr 2023)

PG T&L: Gender Research

Project Title: Doctoral journeys of female students: Gendered Perspectives, Challenges, Resilience and Success Factors.

This project explores the barriers and enablers of female doctoral success with a focus on intersectionality.

Research Sites: UJ, Wits, Moi University, MMUST (Kenya), University of Sunshine Coast (Australia)

Team: Motala, Wisker, Perumal, Akala, Msimango, Manathunga, Motshoane, Sipuka

PG T&L: IKS Research

This ARC-funded international study analyses IKS in doctoral education using Carol Bacchi’s framework. Partners include teams from Australia, New Zealand, China, and South Africa.

Research Question: How does IKS policy in South Africa position indigenous and transcultural candidates?

Team: Catherine Manathunga (Lead), Motala, van der Westhuizen, Keane, Msimango

Progress: Literature review and international team meetings complete. Publication submitted.

Voices of Elders Project

This project promotes cognitive justice by engaging elders as knowledge-holders and creating dialogues about community wisdom and livelihoods. Data is gathered through Socratic dialogue and interviews.

Team: Keane (Lead), van der Westhuizen, Msimango, Khupe (Wits)

Student: Rose Adegoke (PhD submitted Oct 2022)

Studies in PSET Pedagogies

Focuses on refining theoretical foundations of postgraduate T&L. Research activities include seminars, reading groups, and conceptual studies on:

  • Cognitive and social justice in T&L
  • Doctoral education practices and interventions
  • Responsive pedagogies post-COVID
  • Role of 4IR and ICT in T&L

Empirical Topics: Storytelling, COVID access, international experiences, disruptions, epistemic access

Theoretical Contributions: Reviews on cognitive justice, IKS, public good, and moral realism