Entrepreneurship in Africa
Phumlani NkontwanaThis study looks to explore stories of locals in Rwanda, Ghana and Kenya in order to make sense of lived realities of efforts toward momentum (sustained traction) and maturity (intensity and depth) in entrepreneurship across the continent. Using a narrative-based research approach through SenseMaker®, the study aims to empower locals with a tool to voice out their experiences and perspectives on current entrepreneurship issues with the hope to inspire policymakers and practitioners with useful signaling insight on how and what to leverage of existing development projects (adjacent possible) for social change.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation, TransdisciplinarityFacilitating cooperation in transdisciplinary research and evaluating its role in SenseMaker® for a developing world context
Dr. John van Breda, Prof. Mark SwillingTransdisciplinarity
Logics and principles for designing emergent transdisciplinary research processes
Dr. John van Breda, Prof. Mark SwillingTransdisciplinarity
Establishment of an African TDR Network
Dr. John van BredaTransdisciplinarity
Enkanini Informal Settlement
Dr. John van BredaIn 2011, the Stellenbosch University-based transdisciplinary research group approached the Enkanini community with the idea of working with residents to come up with solutions to poor living conditions and a lack of energy provision. After months of immersion in the community, the residents welcomed them in and, through continuous discussion, the central issues affecting quality of life began to emerge, the most primary of which was the lack of energy provision (electricity). Their provisional research question was “What could be done between now and the arrival of the [electricity] grids to improve quality of life?” In other words, what can be done while we wait?” Then, additional issues surfaced through this immersive process including the unsafe living conditions that put personal health and safety at risk, and a lack of waste disposal infrastructure (sanitation and garbage). The lack of basic service infrastructure compounded the reality of living in badly constructed shacks. The resultant negative quality of life was apparent to researchers when visiting residents in their home.
Transdisciplinarity