53: Decolonizing Science

Photo Cred: Ilya Pavlov In South Africa there has been a growing sentiment by student movements that education, including the sciences must become "decolonized". But can science be realistically decolonized? In today’s episode, Kholeka Shange chats to a scientist, Ntombifikile Phaliso and they engage on the above question and more. Phaliso's focus and responsibilities are the overall scientific curation. 45% of her time is dedicated to research within a group which involves systematic and conservation research. Sourcing external funds, collaborations, scientific compilation, fieldwork and mentorship are also key parts of her job. For her Master in Science degree at Rhodes University, her thesis was on the, “Systematic Study of Berkheya and allies (compositae). [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/347498784" params="color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%" height="300" iframe="true" /] If you like this, you might be interested in episode 41, Africanizing Scientific Research. Researched, Edited, Produced and Scheduled by Simbarashe […]

The Academic Citizen 18 October 2017

#Gender

49: In Conversation with SA’s Youngest Dean

Prof Thabo Msibi, is South Africa’s youngest Dean and Head of School at the University of KwaZulu Natal. Kholeka Shange caught up with him and they spoke at length on various themes ranging from transformation in Higher Education, mentorship, issues of gender and sexuality, and African scholarship. In the interview, Prof Msibi cautions against creating a narrative which implies that young academics are completely disempowered. Msibi says his achievements are proof that if given equal opportunities, young academics have much to offer in academia and can excel. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/342202112" params="color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="300" iframe="true" /] Books Msibi T (2016, forthcoming). Hidden Sexualities of South African Teachers. New York: Routledge. Selected Journals Articles Msibi, T. (2014). Contextualising ‘dirty work’: A response to Janice Irvine (2014). Sexualities. http://sex.sagepub.com/content/17/5-6/669.short Msibi, T. (2014). Is current theorising on same-sex sexuality relevant to the African context?. Pambazuka News, […]

The Academic Citizen 13 September 2017

academics

48: Bullying in Academia

Photo Cred: Melanie Wasser Academic bullying is a prevalent but unexplored phenomenon in South Africa. In this week’s episode, Kholeka Shange and Dr Colette Gordon discuss how it manifests itself in the context of Higher Education and beyond. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/340153183" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] Edited, Produced, Researched and scheduled by: Simbarashe Honde

The Academic Citizen 30 August 2017

Consciousness

47: Public Intellectuals Revisited

In this episode, we continue our discussion on the role of public intellectuals and thought leaders in societies. Podcasts Hosts, Dr Nosipho Mngomezulu, Kholeka B Shange and guest Athambile Masola , a teacher, and a PhD researcher who blogs about education, feminism and politics, deliberate different forms of knowledge production and what qualifies for them to be accredited. They also engage on how cultures and institutions, through patriarchy and academic journals, for example, have become gatekeepers of knowledge and end up making certain voices privileged over others. This they argue, leaves no room for dissenting views and opinions and difference becomes a crisis normalized by gate keeping. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/339172838" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] Produced, Edited, Scheduled and Researched by: Simbarashe Honde

The Academic Citizen 23 August 2017

Consciousness

46: Welcome Back – Season 2

Photo Cred: Simbarashe Honde The Academic Citizen team is back and refreshed from the semester break. In this episode Dr Nosipho Mngomezulu introduces new cohost, Kholeka B. Shange. Shange is currently pursuing a PhD in History of Art. Her research is focused on visual representations of uMntwana Magogo kaDinuzulu. She is a Wits University graduate with a BA (Hons) in Dramatic Arts and a Master’s degree in Film and Television studies. Her Master’s research examined how spoken word poetry served as a vehicle through which young black male poets in Johannesburg reimagined stereotypical representations of black masculinities in mainstream cinema and popular media. As part of this degree, she produced and directed the short film “Rainbow’s Men”. In this episode, Mngomezulu and Shange discuss various themes which they would like to probe and deliberate on this semester. Themes ranging from the […]

The Academic Citizen 16 August 2017

academics

45: Season 4 Roundup

From the left: Prof Mehita Iqani, Simbarashe Honde and Dr Nosipho Mngomezulu. The Academic Citizen this year, since its relaunch in March 2017 has produced 14 episodes. In this episode, Prof Mehita Iqani and Dr Nosipho Mngomezulu reflect and look back on some of the interesting and topical conversations exploring diversity of topics and opinions relating to higher education in South Africa, today and into the future. We also bid farewell and good wishes to Prof Iqani who is going on Sabbatical from next semester. The episodes sought to explore different themes and issues affecting Higher Education in South Africa. The themes ranged from decolonization of Higher education and curriculum, women in science, medical aids, the role of universities in societies, wage gaps, issues of gender inequalities in universities. These shows have featured prominent academics and student voices from various […]

The Academic Citizen 6 July 2017

academics

41: Africanizing Scientific Research

Photo Cred: Drew Hayes What does it mean to decolonise science? How can African knowledge be integrated into scientific research? Does emphasising indigenous knowledge systems mean abandoning western knowledge systems? In this week’s episode we explore these questions with Dr Nosiphiwe Ngqwala, a lecturer at Rhodes University in the Faculty of Pharmacy. The discussion touches on questions of research into medicines and health, water purity and biotechnology and how African and western forms of knowledge can be integrated. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/327004878" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] Selected Publications: Tandlich R, Ngqwala NP, Tandlichova E (2014). Formative assessment of quality assurance and safety in pharmaceutical education in South Africa, European Scientific Journal, vol.3 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 Roman Tandlich, Catherine D. Luyt and Nosiphiwe P. Ngqwala (2014). A community-based rainwater monitoring and treatment programme in Grahamstown, South Africa, Journal of Hydrocarbons Mines […]

The Academic Citizen 7 June 2017

Decolonization