Linking universities and communities
to promote livelihoods:
What are the enablers of academic interaction
with marginalised communities?
Michael Gastrow
Bongani Nyoka
15 November 2013
Social
Social science
science that
that makes
makes aa difference
difference
Research focus
Innovation
Academic
Livelihoods
Engagement
Informal settings
Marginalised
communities
What facilitates or constrains interactions between universities
and marginalised communities in relation to livelihoods in
informal settings?
Social science that makes a difference
Bambanani Sewing Co-operative
Social science that makes a difference
Department of Science and Technology
Engagement between CTTS and Bambanani:
University of the Western Cape
fundiung, governance
TIA
Tshumisano Trust governance
Technology Stations Programme
funding
CPUT
Faculty of Engineering
Dept of Clothing and Textile Technology
Clothing and Textiles Technology Station
Institutionalised
Product innovation:
designs, patterns, prototypes
Process innovation:
efficiency, productivity, quality, process flow
Tech upgrading:
new equipment, access to CPUT equipment
relationship
Service Learning Unit
Centre for Community Engagement (DVC's office)
Amy Biel Foundation
HIV Yabonga
Emavundleni
Social work students
informal relationships
Bambanani (NGO/social enterprise)
Sewing project
Schools programme
(social enterprise)
Food garden
5 employees
Creative arts
training 15 people
Market access:
access to CPUT market, buyers, strategic assistance
funding
Strategy development:
strategy workshops, ongoing dialogue
Skills development:
training, students placements, intern placements
Knowledge transfer:
formal/technical knowledge (CPUT->Bamabanani)
tacit knowledge (Bambanani->CPUT)
Participation:
activities decided upon by both partners
WC Department of Social Development
Community Chest (NGO)
National Lottery (Government agency)
Old Mutual (firm)
Drivers of interaction
Micro-social enterprise
•
•
•
•
NGO as agency to broker
relationships
Need to access to formal markets
Shortage of skills
=> proactive innovation strategy
UoT interface structure
• Technology Stations mechanism
• National HE policy
• UoT mission
• CTTS mission
=>intellectual and social
developmental imperatives
Enablers
•
CTTS:
• Availability of high-technology equipment and expertise
• Funding and technical expertise of the national technology station
• Approach to identify niche areas and to work in an inclusive manner
• Ability to access government funding programmes
• Funding for interns to work directly with the social enterprise and lead
teams of students
•
•
•
•
Mission and role of the university of technology
• Student placement
Strategic and proactive leadership of the NGO
Tacit skills and knowledge that the women in the micro-social enterprise have
to offer
Capacity of the NGO to learn from the interaction, and the capacity to source
technology support
Social science that makes a difference
Ebenhaeser fishing community
• History of marginalisation in informal settings
• Community livelihood built on traditional fishing practices
• Need for new knowledge about the sustainability of these practices
• Increasing pressure from government actors to demonstrate
sustainability
Social science that makes a difference
National Research Foundation
funding
University of Cape Town
Other Faculties
postgraduate students, knowledge
Environmental Evaluation Unit
common social agenda
knowledge, facilitation, research,
collaborative advocacy
capacity-building
project partners
Masifundisi
Coastal Links
facilitation and advocacy
Innovation:
New fishing practices with smaller net
mesh size
Social innovation: new organisational
structures and improved capacity to engage
with government actors
Codification of traditional and local k.
Research and Knowledge:
New knowledge about sustainability of
fishing practice
Bi-directional knowledge flow, including
local and traditional knowledge
Legal Resources Centre
legal support
Capacity building:
Research training
Organisational training
Intellectual benefits for HEI actors
Intermediary roles:
Facilitation of meetings with government
Advocacy
Institution-building
Catalyst for further NGO partnerships
Social science that makes a difference
Ebenhaeser fisher community
Fishers committee
research participation, local and indigenous knowledge
Drivers of interaction
UCT
Ebenhaeser community
•
Sustainability
•
Contribution to the academic field
•
Knowledge
•
Dissertation projects for postgrads
•
Skills
•
Building inter disciplinary research
•
Technologies / resource balance
•
Social conscience / agenda
•
=> innovation strategy has aspects
of ‘passive’ and ‘proactive’
=>intellectual and social
developmental imperatives
Enablers
•
Personal relationships
•
Long-term relationship
•
Formal structures
•
Mutual benefit
•
Bi-directional knowledge flows
•
The livelihood problem is ongoing
•
University provides some recognition
Social science that makes a difference
Innovative solutions for sustainable urban
settlements: the community of New Rest
Interaction between NMMU and the community of New Rest is focussed on
the question of housing, and pursued under the rubric of the Sustainable
Settlements Pilot Project (SSPP)
The project is divided into three phases:
I.
The first phase of the project included action research – to conduct a
baseline study
II.
III.
To research and test appropriate technology for housing and services
provision with the community
To compile a comprehensive plan for the in-situ development of the
community
Social science that makes a difference
funding
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Department of Human Settlements
School of Economics and Development
Department of Development Studies
knowledge, facilitation, research, capacity building
common social agenda
collaborative advocacy
project partners
Innovation:
Social innovation : permaculture design,
food gardening
Organisational innovation : election of a
team of community researchers
NMB Transition Network
facilitation and advocacy
specialised knowledge re
sustainable settlements
Nelson Mandela Bay
Municipality
implementation of the
housing project
Knowledge:
New knowledge: sustainable settlements
Bi-directional knowledge flow
Capacity-building:
Research training, workshops
intellectual benefits for the community
Intermediary roles:
Facilitaton of meetings with the municipality
Advocacy
New Rest Community
Community researchers/participants
research participation, local and indigenous knowledge
Drivers of interaction
Community of New Rest
• Housing
• Sustainability
• Knowledge
• Jobs
NMMU
• Contribution to knowledge
• Community engagement
• DoHS mission
Enablers
•
One of the main enablers of the interaction between actors is the motivation
and cohesion in the New Rest community – facilitated by the participative
methodology
•
The relationship between the actors is also sustained by:
I.
Generation of new knowledge i.e. sustainable settlements
II. Bi-directional nature of knowledge flow
III. Intellectual benefits for the community (through research training,
workshops etc.)
Social science that makes a difference
What can we learn from these cases?
The community:
Leadership:
•
•
•
•
Cohesion within the
participating community
Capacity development in the
community
Tacit knowledge flowing
from the community to the
university
•
•
•
•
Personal relationships
between academics and
community leaders
Long-term engagements
Strategic and proactive
community leaders
Socially committed
academic leaders
Mutual benefit
Knowledge and learning:
Structures:
•
•
•
•
•
Participative research
methodologies
Generation of new and
relevant knowledge
Bi-directional knowledge
flows
Involvement of students and
interns
Social science that makes a difference
•
•
•
•
Formalised interface
structures
Student interface structures
(Otherwise not a major
driver)
Recognition from university
structures
Funding