Decolonial feminism and indigenisation: Reimagining postgraduate research supervision in post-apartheid South Africa

abstract

This briefing examines the potential for a decolonial feminist approach to indigenise postgraduate research supervision in South African universities. It presents a conceptual framework that challenges the traditional Eurocentric and patriarchal structures of academia, foregrounding the experiences and knowledge systems of black African women. The framework incorporates indigenisation and decolonial feminism, advocating for an academic environment that is more inclusive and equitable. The application of this framework is illustrated through a case study of a course taught by the authors, emphasising the potential for transformation in teaching and learning methods as it relates to postgraduate research supervision, institutional policies, and the development of student identities. The briefing concludes with a call for more studies into the application and impact of this approach, as well as integration of this approach into institutional policies and practices. By putting the needs and experiences of black African women at the centre and valuing the diversity of knowledge systems, this work contributes to the ongoing discourse on transformation in South African academia and offers valuable insights to other contexts facing similar challenges.

keywords:

• universities
• women academics
• women’s leadership
• feminist decoloniality
• glass ceiling

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anniah Mupawose

ANNIAH MUPAWOSE holds a PhD and has 30 years of academic experience in speech language pathology. She is currently a senior lecturer at the Speech Language Pathology Department in the School of Human and Community Development at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Her primary interest lies in transformative teaching and learning methods at tertiary level, and other interests include cognition, language and literacy development in preschool and school age children, and learning disabilities, especially dyslexia. Email: [email protected]

Emmanuel Ojo

EMMANUEL OJO is Deputy Head of School at the Wits School of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He is also Chair of the Faculty of Humanities Transformation, Internationalisation and Partnerships Committee. He holds a doctorate in Higher Education and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Policy and Skills from the same university. He is a C2-rated researcher by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. His research interests include economics education and interdisciplinary higher education. Email: [email protected]