College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
Unisa leads an Afrocentric workshop initiative across three cities
In a groundbreaking effort to embed African philosophies and traditions into an academic workshop design, Prof Ashley Gunter of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, and his team have successfully implemented a workshop model that celebrates Afrocentric methodologies. With support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Building Equitable African Partnerships (BEAP) project, this initiative unfolded across three cities, Nairobi, Johannesburg and East London, spanning five days of intensive engagement.
Participants used storytelling to potray their experiences
This pioneering workshop series brought together high-level decision makers, including the director of the AHRC (United Kingdom), the head of the National Research Fund (NRF) (Kenya), the head of the NRF (South Africa), and the head of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) (South Africa). Alongside these key figures, leading professors and world-renowned artists, such as South Africa’s 2024 Artist of the Year, Volley Nchabeleng, actively participated in the workshop, making this a truly interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral engagement.
Says Gunter: "We asked ourselves the question, ‘How do we create an Afrocentric workshop?’ and proceeded to embrace dance, music, storytelling, African philosophy and relationship-building as the core components of workshop design. Thanks to the AHRC and BEAP, we have developed a workshop structure that places Africanness at its centre."
This innovative approach to workshop design serves as a blueprint for embedding African epistemologies in global research dialogues, ensuring that African knowledge systems are not just included, but form the foundation of collaborative scholarship.
The initiative highlights the importance of integrating shared objectives to foster greater bilateral and multilateral collaboration. The project’s key findings emphasise the need for greater visibility of national funders within the arts and humanities research landscape to ensure full utilisation of domestic funding programmes. Moreover, while there is significant demand for collaboration, scholars in the United Kingdom and Africa are not yet fully capitalising on the AHRC’s international co-lead policy, which could significantly enhance global research synergies.
Participants used dance and movement to create an understanding of partnerships in their community
Another critical insight from the BEAP project is the underutilisation of EU-AU collaboration in the arts and humanities, revealing untapped potential for cross-continental engagement. The project reaffirms that equitable partnership principles transcend borders and remain a shared aspiration among researchers.
A major takeaway from the workshop series is the urgent need for increased awareness and uptake of the Africa Charter, which could significantly strengthen research frameworks across the continent. Additionally, fostering knowledge exchange through in-country connections and expanding networks across the Global South and with researchers from the United Kingdom remain essential for building sustainable research collaborations. With the engagement of prominent scholars, policymakers and artists, this Afrocentric workshop design is proving to be a resounding success, offering invaluable lessons for future partnerships.
* Submitted by the Department of Geography, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Publish date: 2025/02/04
New Unisa partnership set to benefit youth and unemployed graduates
Landmark exhibition reflects Unisa's Pan-African vision
Unisa paves the way for agricultural resilience and sustainability in the Eastern Cape
Unisa empowers communities through school literacy project
Unisa students embark on an academic journey in Romania