Engaged and Activist Scholarship for Socio-Economic Development in South Africa: A Conceptual Appraisal

Paulin Mbecke

doi:10.22158/jetmm.v1n1p23

Abstract

<p><em>The debate around scholarship (engaged and activist) is new in South Africa. Currently, the practice of engaged scholarship and activist scholarship is poor or quasi-inexistent, yet, it is believed that these two approaches can contribute to human rights activism which favours socio-economic development. This paper identifies the patterns and principles of engaged scholarship and activist scholarship and their connection with socio-economic development. It argues that effective engaged and activist scholarship programmes can contribute to and facilitate socio-economic development. Thus, the paper suggests a model outlining four key principles forming a conceptual framework for an effective engaged scholarship and a supporting activist scholarship model that facilitates the awareness and participation of communities in socio-economic development efforts.</em></p>

Highlights

Alleviating poverty, achieving socio-economic development and redressing the imbalances and inequality inherited from the apartheid regime have been part of the major challenges of the South African democratic government
This paper suggests that an engaged scholarship and an activist scholarship can produce both (1) active citizens who participate in the development of their communities by claiming their rights, and (2) concrete development projects that address the real needs of concerned communities
Considering the importance of the two approaches the paper suggests: firstly, a generic model with four key principles proposed by Van den Ven (2007) as a starting point for engaged scholarship initiatives in South Africa and secondly, an activist scholarship approach grounded into seven principles by Came et al (2015) to support, effect and convert South African universities into a spaces where the academia and communities mutually engage through various collaborative interventions for the greatest public benefit, contributing to socio-economic development

Summary

Original Paper

Journal of Economics, Trade and Marketing Management ISSN 2642-2409 (Print) ISSN 2642-2417 (Online) Vol 1, No 1, 2019 www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/jetmm.

Introduction

Conclusion