Human and Social Dynamics (HSD) Research Seminar
Pre-World Social Sciences Forum Event
Hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the College of
Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
Terrorism, new militarisms and human rights – transdisciplinary approaches
The event is part of the Human and Social Dynamics (HSD) Research Seminar series facilitated by the Human
Science Research Council (HSRC) to showcase contemporary social sciences and humanities research in South
Africa. The series seeks to provide a platform for learning about cutting-edge research in the social sciences and
humanities and to help identify new directions for research agendas pertinent to the Department of Science and
Technology’s Human and Social Dynamics in Development Grand Challenge (HSDD GC). The seminar is
moreover aligned with and feeds into the eminent 2015 World Social Sciences Forum (WSSF), organised by a
consortium of African partners led by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the Council for the
Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), and the College of Humanities at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal, which will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban from
13-16 September 2015. This international event is focused on the interdisciplinary and comparative
interrogation of the theme ‘Transforming Global Relations for a Just World’. This entails key areas of concern
such as global inequalities pertaining to governance, patterns of production and consumption, cultural
exchanges, quality health and education, climate change and adaptation, and human rights and social justice.
The WSSF will bring together academic researchers, NGOs, policy makers, social activists, and a host of other
stakeholders in the social sciences and cognate disciplines.
The Research Seminar is envisaged as a pre-conference event that brings together highly respected national and
international experts, postgraduate students and members of staff from the University of KwaZulu-Natal
(UKZN) and five other universities in KZN and the Eastern Cape, namely, Fort Hare, Rhodes University,
Durban University of Technology and the University of Zululand.
The theme of the seminar ‘Terrorism, new militarisms and human rights – transdisciplinary approaches’ is
highly topical, addresses one of the WSSF’s key areas of concern and cuts across many disciplines within the
Humanities and Social Sciences. Discussions on Terrorism and new militarism at the seminar will include
among others, terrorist and counter terrorist attacks, state sponsored terrorism, terrorism against civilians, state
violence against nascent popular democracy movements, human rights violations, etc.
Aims of the seminar

To draw attention to the WSSF and its core theme and expand the WSSF’s impact, given the event’s
exclusivity and limitations of access;

To provide an avenue for academic researchers and especially postgraduate students, including those
from rural-based universities, to engage in discussions and exchange knowledge across disciplinary and
institutional boundaries;

To present and discuss new and ongoing research and suggest new research agendas in SSH with a
view of forging closer links between the research communities in these fields;

To disseminate research findings and transmit a body of new knowledge through interactive dialogue
between top level experts in the field, academics, postgraduate students and members of civil society;

To promote interdisciplinary research and enhance wider public understanding of and interest in the
Social Sciences, including the value and status of both individual and team-based research;

To facilitate networking, the exchange of information and an exhibition of scholarly materials and
publications.
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Outcomes
The seminar outcomes will include trans-disciplinary knowledge production in key areas related to the WSSF
conference themes with regard to methodology, theory, epistemologies, and trends. New research niches will be
identified, which can inform academic research and the development of postgraduate and applied research
proposals. An edited publication will be produced on the basis of the formal presentations and summaries of the
deliberations. It is also envisaged that the deliberations will spawn research-based publications in accredited
journals by academic staff and postgraduate participants.
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PROGRAMME
Terrorism, new militarisms and human rights – transdisciplinary approaches
Date:
Friday, 11 September 2015
Venue:
Garden Court, Marine Parade, Durban
Chair:
Prof. Pholoho Morojele, Academic Leader Research: School of Education, UKZN
Rapporteur:
Dr Stephen Rule, Outsourced Insight Cc
08:00 - 09:00
Registration, Tea & Coffee
09:00 – 09:30
Introduction
09:00 – 09:30
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Dr Temba Masilela, Deputy CEO: Research, HSRC, Prof Cheryl Potgieter, DVC College
of Humanities and Prof Stephen Mutula, Dean: School of Social Sciences, UKZN
09:30 – 11:00
Session 1
09:30 –10:00
Is professional education in the social sciences and humanities obsolete
in a transdisciplinary world?
Dr Prudence W. Dalrymple, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA, USA
Are the social sciences and the humanities obsolete in a world in which the rise of terrorism and military
uprisings threaten the social contract? The need for access to reliable, accurate information and
communication has never been greater, yet forces in today’s world make meeting that need ever more
difficult. The availability, security and integrity of data, information and knowledge are essential in helping
citizens pursue personal and social well-being as they cope with a world that is undergoing radical—even
violent--disruption. How can universities educate the next generation of professional workers—especially
those that are data intensive--in ways that will equip them to contribute to improved social conditions? What
are the compelling research questions that must be addressed at the intersection of social policy, the
information sciences and the humanities? As we anticipate the impending convergence of traditional,
discipline-based education with professional preparation, we must create new models of transdisciplinary
education that are accessible to all members of society. But we need to balance the competing demands of
professional jurisdiction and de-centralized educational delivery systems. The speaker will examine the ways in
which the current structure of the traditional professions is being affected by transdisciplinary and
interdisciplinary approaches to education. She will suggest that theoretical frameworks derived from the
social sciences, as well as the value structures embedded in the humanities will take on new importance as the
professions struggle to re-think the nature of the “work” they perform for society. Using examples drawn from
information and library science and health informatics, she will describe the steps that professional
accreditation programs are taking to assure the professional workforce has the capacity and skills to able to
meet society’s evolving needs. If time permits, she will also address how collaborative research and
community engagement projects can contribute to international collaboration to can help address social,
economic and technological disparities in both developed and developing nations.
10:00 – 11:00
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Q&A
Page 3
11:00 – 11:15
Tea break
11:15 – 12:45
Session 2
11:15 – 11:45
A terrorism to end all terrorisms and catalyse new ones?
Mr Na'eem Jeenah, Afro-Middle East Centre
This paper will look at a few selected cases of state responses to what these states have called ‘terrorism’, and
examine whether, in their responses, these entities have not themselves become guilty of engaging in acts of
terror. These responses – particularly after ‘9/11’ - have included legislative instruments, wars, counterterrorism and counter-insurgency measures that have, together, legitimised various forms of violence that
should, under international law and human rights conventions, be outlawed. Torture, drone strikes against
civilians, widespread violations of basic freedoms and human rights – including that of the citizens of these
states, as well as the broadening of a surveillance culture globally have been the result of this ‘war on terror’.
These responses have helped catalyse or strengthen other extremist groups, entrenching a cycle of violence
whose victims, ultimately, are citizens of various countries – including the countries at the forefront of ‘the war
on terror’.
11:45 – 12:45
Q&A
12:45 – 13:45
LUNCH
13:45 – 14:45
Session 3
13:45 – 14:15
Insurgencies in the 21st Century: Asymmetrical Warfare or Terrorism?
Mr Vasu Gounden, The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes
(ACCORD)
Mr Vasu Gounden’s presentation will examine the dynamics and consequences of insurgencies in the 21st
century. Over the course of the presentation, Mr Gounden will identify key trends behind insurgent
movements both on the African continent and globally, engage the underlying forces that contribute to their
emergence and proliferation, distinguish between their different manifestations throughout the world, and
address their impacts across a number of political, socio-economic, and developmental spheres. Mr Gounden
will then juxtapose this analysis against an overview of key trends shaping the evolution of human societies
including among others, widespread demographic, technological, political and economic shifts. Mr Gounden
will assert that this creates an unprecedented environment of convergence and complexity. The presentation
will then explore how the interrelated challenges of convergence and complexity will accelerate the
proliferation of insurgencies on the continent and globally, while challenging the foundations of existing
political and military-based solutions. Drawing on his over twenty-three years of experience in conflict
management, Mr Gounden will then offer considerations on possible approaches to bring about both
immediate and long-term solutions to the challenges emanating from insurgencies. Throughout the
presentation, Mr Gounden will draw upon the question of ‘what constitutes terrorism?’ and provide a critical
reflection of how socio-political contexts determine how stakeholders identify, engage, and respond to
insurgent movements.
14:15 – 14:45
Q&A
14:45 – 15:00
Session 4
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14:45 – 14:55
The way ahead
Prof N.Mkhize, UKZN
14:55 – 15:00
Vote of thanks and closure
Prof Betty Mubangisi, UKZN
-----------------Departure ----------------
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Biosketches
Dr Prudence Dalrymple
Dr Prudence Dalrymple is Research and Teaching Professor at the College of Computing & Informatics and
Director of the interdisciplinary Institute for Health Informatics at Drexel University in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. She holds a PhD in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison,
an MS in Library Science from Simmons College, and an MS in Health Sciences Informatics from Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine. She has been at Drexel since 2008. She has over 35 years’ experience as a
medical librarian, administrator, instructor, and academic researcher and was on the faculty of the Graduate
School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and Dean of the
Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University in Chicago, Illinois. She directed
the American Library Association’s Office for Accreditation from 1992 to 1997.
As part of her interest in determining how information use affects health outcomes, she has conducted
research on health literacy and information seeking behaviour, the use of evidence-based guidelines by health
professionals, and the potential for text messages to improve health literacy of the urban poor. As Director of
the Drexel’s master’s program in health informatics, Dr. Dalrymple continues her interest and involvement in
professional education and accreditation. She sits on the Board of the Commission on Accreditation of Health
Informatics and Health Information Management. In 2014, Dr. Dalrymple was elected a Fellow of the Medical
Library Association (MLA) for her sustained and outstanding contributions to health sciences librarianship. She
is the author of over 65 articles and book chapters and is a frequent presenter at national and international
conferences, including the Association for Information Science & Technology, the American Library
Association, the American Medical Informatics Association and the International Federation of Library
Associations.
Mr Vasu Gounden
Vasu Gounden is the Founder and Executive Director of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of
Disputes (ACCORD). In the 1980’s, Vasu was an anti-apartheid leader and a human rights lawyer. In 1990 he
graduated, under a Fulbright scholarship, with a Masters degree in Law from Georgetown University in
Washington DC specializing in conflict management. In 1992 he established ACCORD which is today the largest
conflict management organisation in Africa and is globally recognized as one of the leading players in conflict
management. Vasu has spent the last twenty three years preparing conflicting parties across Africa for
negotiations, including rebel groups in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He has
provided mediation support to the facilitators of the Burundi Peace Process, which included Nelson Mandela,
and he has served as an advisor on strategy to former President Ketumile Masire (Botswana) on the InterCongolese Dialogue Peace Process. Mr. Gounden has been involved in contributing to the resolution of several
conflicts around the world including Somalia, South Sudan, Madagascar, Palestine, and Sri Lanka. Vasu is a
global advocate for peace and travels extensively around the world, delivering speeches on peace and conflict
management. He also serves on the Boards of several institutions across the world involved in conflict
management. He has addressed the United Nations Security Council on matters relating to conflict
management and has been elected by the World Economic Forum as one of their Global Leaders for Tomorrow
(GLT).
Mr Na’eem Jeenah
Na’eem Jeenah is the Executive Director of the Afro-Middle East Centre, a research institute based in
Johannesburg, South Africa that focuses on the Middle East and Africa. He has an MA in Religious Studies from
the University of the Witwatersrand, and is currently reading for his PhD in Political Studies. Na’eem taught
political science at the University of the Witwatersrand. He co-authored (with Shamima Shaikh) Journey of
discovery: A South African Hajj (2002). His recent publications include: Pretending democracy: Israel, an
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ethnocratic state (2012) and (co-edited) The PLO: Critical appraisals from the inside (2014). Na’eem is a sought
after commentator on a range of issues regarding, especially, the Middle East and North Africa
Dr Temba Masilela
Temba Sipho B. Masilela, has been the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Research at the Human Science
Research Council (HSRC) since November 2010 and is directly responsible for research strategy, research
management and the knowledge-policy interfaces of the HSRC. His wide-ranging research interests revolve
around issues of knowledge, policy, and power and before joining the HSRC in July 2006, he worked for a
number of years as a Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Development in the government of South Africa.
He has also been an Associate Fellow of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention at the University of
Oxford, UK, and a Research Fellow at the Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya. He
has also worked in the areas of corporate citizenship and reputation management, in both commercial
(Telkom SA Ltd) and academic settings (Centre for Corporate Citizenship, University of South Africa), and has
cross media experience, having work in both the print and telecommunications industries. He has more than
25 years of research and policy management experience and his most recent publication is a chapter entitled:
“From the RDP to the National Development Plan: The mirage of a super ministry” in the State of the Nation
2013-14. Temba holds PhD and MA degrees in communication for development from the University of Iowa,
USA; and a BA degree in economics and politics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Professor Pholoho Morojele
Pholoho Morojele is an Associate Professor in the College of Humanities: School of Education. Professor
Morojele was awarded Prolific Researcher recognition at University of KwaZulu-Natal consecutively in 2012
and 2013 based on his excellent research publication record. In 2013, the young professor had managed to
maintain his status as an emerging researcher for 5 years since 2009, and he was also awarded a prestigious
Top 30 researcher award at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is a Commonwealth scholar and studied as
part of his PhD at the Institute of Education, University of London. He has published both nationally and
internationally and has attended many conferences where he presented various papers including keynote
addresses. Professor Morojele was born in Lesotho; and he grew up and schooled in rural Lesotho schools. His
research interests and publications are in the areas of gender, children’s geographies and social justice in
education. Professor Morojele’s astute leadership and academic achievements are recognized amongst his
peers, and through his rich experience was appointed as Academic Leader: Research & Higher Degrees in the
School of Education.
Professor Stephen Mutula
Prof Mutula is the Dean and Head: School of Social Sciences at the University of KwaZulu Natal. In his academic
career he has taught at various universities in East and Southern Africa including the University of KwaZulu
Natal (current affiliation), University of Botswana, the University of Nairobi, United States International
University (Nairobi), Moi University, Strathmore University, and Kenyatta University.
Prof. Mutula’s research interests lie in the areas of ICT4D, information poverty/digital divide, e-government,
information ethics, information society and social media. He has over 100 seminal presentations and has
published extensively, including over 100 peer referred journal articles, 23 chapters in books, 3 books (+1 coedited book), 31 papers in conference proceedings, and 11 editorials and book reviews. His publications are
highly cited in Google Scholar and Web of Science journals. His current h-index, which is the measure of both
the productivity and citation impact of the published body of work of a scientist or scholar based on the set of
the scientist's most cited papers, currently stands at 20. His publications to date have been cited 1230 times in
Google scholar. In addition, he is a rated researcher by South African National Research Foundation (NRF).
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Prof Mutula has won several international scholarly excellence awards for his contribution to scholarship. For
example, he was the recipient of Rafael Fiek Foundation Award (Germany) for promoting information ethics in
Africa in 2012. He is recipient of the University of Botswana Researcher of the Year Award for two successive
years - 2007 and 2008 respectively. He was also a recipient of IFLA excellence award for information literacy in
2007. Further he is a recipient of several scholarly excellence awards from Literati Club UK.
Prof Mutula has served on several international editorial boards of such leading journals as Information
Development, Electronic Library, Journal of Information Technology Research, Online Information Review,
South African Journal of Information Management, South African Journal of Information Science, and
International Journal of Innovation and Digital economy. Prof Mutula also serves as external examiner for
several regional and international universities.
Professor Cheryl Potgieter
Professor Potgieter is widely respected as an academic, psychologist and NRF-rated researcher. She is wellknown for her work as an advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment. As a testament to her
commitment to develop and advance women academics, she successfully initiated the UKZN Women’s
Research Academy and the mentoring of women researchers both at UKZN and DUT to publish in peer
reviewed journals during her tenure as University Dean of Research.
She is a research methodologist and also has specific skills and interests in feminist and political/social
psychology. She has spent time as a visiting scholar at the University of Utrecht, University of Missouri, and the
Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Aids at Yale University.
Professor Potgieter has previously held the position of Director and Head of Department: Women and Gender
Studies at the University of the Western Cape. She was also the founding Director and Head: Gender and
Development Research Unit at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), full Professor in Psychology at
the University of Pretoria, and University Dean of Research and a full Professorship in the Department of
Psychology (since October 2008) at UKZN. She holds a MA in Research Psychology from the University of Cape
Town and a PhD in Psychology from the University of the Western Cape. During her tenure as University Dean
of Research, she played a critical role in assisting the DVC Research in providing strategic and operational
leadership in the realization of the University’s strategic research goals.
Professor Potgieter plays an active role in the higher education sector. She serves on the South African
Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Research Committee and is a member of the Department of Higher
Education’s (DHET) national committee that oversees the annual publication submissions of South Africa’s 23
universities. As a researcher and consultant, she has written and researched policy for government
departments, the private sector and NGOs. She served two terms as a ministerial appointed board member for
the South African National Roads Agency.
Her publications, which have caught media attention over the years, include her work on Black Lesbians, Serial
Rapists, Black Academics Moving between Institutions and Gender, Transport and Development. She has
published in both local and international journals in the areas of race, gender, sexuality, and broad areas
related to transformation. She has been an invited keynote speaker at conferences both in South Africa and
abroad.
Her expertise has also recently been recognised by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal when he appointed her to a
four-person committee to investigate issues related to Social Cohesion in the Province. She was recently
appointed as a Director of the Board of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women
Judges (SAC-IAWJ).
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Dr Stephen Rule
Dr Rule holds a PhD in Political Geography from the University of Witwatersrand. He is currently an
independent research consultant and Director of Outsourced Insight. He has extensive experience in the
design and management of social surveys and data analysis throughout southern Africa. He has managed
quantitative and qualitative research projects that focus on the monitoring and evaluation of educational and
developmental projects, as well as religious and political issues. He is a current Board member of the South
African Monitoring and Evaluation Association (SAMEA). Previously he has been a Director of Surveys at the
HSRC, a research director in the Department of Social Development, and chairman of the research committee
of the National Development Agency (2003-07). From 1986-96 he lectured in urban and political geography at
Vista University in Soweto (now part of the University of Johannesburg).
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