Curriculum integration, diversification and the role of the African academic
We were pleased to hold the second conference of the Africa Research Interest Group (AFRIG) on 18 July 2024, at ARU in Chelmsford.
Theme and focus
Our theme for this year’s conference was curriculum development and the role of the African academic, with a focus on the need for diversification in academia and education.
AFRIG continues to raise awareness of the potential and capacity of academic and research staff of African origin in contributing various university strategies and influencing policy. This year's conference theme is part of a wider research aspiration to investigate the narrative behind the Black Award Gap published by the University.
The conference also sought to continue promoting AFRIG, our purpose, and opportunities to engage more potential members.
We intend to continue collaborating, supporting and producing quality research through competitive and commissioned funding. This year we will also be utilising internal funding opportunities, such as QR funding grants, to initiate some of our research projects. Our focus is on rigorous research practice, meaningful and targeted research publications, and having a substantive research impact through utilising the indigenous knowledge and expertise of group members.
Conference report
This year’s conference was packed full of activities and included activities ranging from presentations to interviews and panel discussions.
Our keynote speaker Dr Nhlanganiso Nyathi (HMI) started the proceedings with a timely and very relevant topic: the need to re-examine the notion of source of knowledge that we rely on. The message sought to examine the key idea of curriculum integration diversification and the subsequent role of the academic. With decolonisation and diversification of university curricula becoming increasingly important to student inclusion and success, Dr Nyathi’s presentation reflected on the nature of the curriculum with its Western and Eurocentric basis and examined the reasons there is a general slow uptake of Afrocentric knowledge systems, despite its proven track record. Dr Nyathi’s message also spoke to elevate the value, contribution and status of the Arican academic through curriculum decolonisation. In the thoughtful discussion, Dr Nyathi was keen to express that while it was important to integrate and embed impactful African knowledge systems into the mainstream curricula, it did not mean that this would be at the expense of existing knowledge systems.
Following on from the keynote, there was a breakout session in two rooms where four members of AFRIG presented their research to attendees.
In one of the breakout rooms, Irine Mano led an impactful presentation entitled She subjected me to pressure from everybody in the team, in which she explored social workers’ motivations to become practice educators in England and the extent to which their motivations aligned with experiences and outcomes or Black African students studying social work in England.
Following Irine’s presentation, Chinenye Ubah gave a presentation entitled Black African international nurses’ experiences of pastoral support in the UK: A scoping review. In the presentation, Chinenye explored what is known within literature about pastoral care or pastoral support for internationally educated nurses working in the UK to facilitate their adaptation and integration in the NHS.
The second breakout room hosted presentations by AFRIG members Charles Nwaogwugwu and Andrew Oyedola.
In keeping with the conference’s theme, Charles spoke about The role of African diaspora academics in diversifying learning opportunities for students in Africa using Virtual Exchange programmes. His presentation explored challenges to engagement with higher education institutions and African students and outlining the opportunities offered by virtual exchange (VE) programmes. Charles discussed the current state of VE programmes with a focus on COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning). The presentation ended with a call to arms, encouraging academics to exploit the low hanging fruit offered by COIL. As a result of the presentation, Charles received two invitations to collaborate with participants who are interested in working with him in this area.
Rounding off the presentations was Andrew Oyedola, who talked about Naturalising Epistemology: Wittgenstein and African Model (Decolonising Knowledge: Naturalising Naturalised Epistemology). The discussion centres on the concept of naturalized epistemology and decolonizing knowledge, particularly in the African context. Andrew explains the evolution of epistemological thought and the pattern of exclusivity in knowledge, the attempts made recently towards inclusion and the need for more inclusion to completely decolonise our approach to knowledge. He emphasises the shift from the traditional view of rationalism (reason) and empiricism (experience) to contemporary naturalism that relies completely on science excluding the non-scientific approach to knowledge.
With food playing a very big part in African culture, lunch at AFRIG conferences has become a big part of the proceedings and this year was no different. An African-themed lunch break offered an opportunity for attendees to network while sampling food from different African cuisines.
After lunch the conference had a change of pace, introducing a panel discussion. In keeping with the theme, Allen Ahurira effectively facilitated a multi-cultural discussion under the title of The changing nature of education, featuring Dr Dan Berger, Dr Antonio Blanco and Dr Linda Brown, who are all ARU staff members from different backgrounds. In addition, we had Precious Oluwajodutimi, a current Masters student from the School of Education and finally Dudu Ngwenya, a conference attendee who agreed at the last minute to participate and offer her own thoughts from a professional perspective. The panel covered a wide range of topics, with panellists discussing their varied educational experiences. It was a very relevant segment of the conference which offered different views from the participants spanning the course of their education histories.
The penultimate session was one that a large number of attendees were eagerly waiting for. This was a book launch with Barry Awolusi. Barry, a current undergraduate student, was interviewed as part of the launch of his new book, Lessons from an unexpected journey. In the interview Barry gave an exciting account of his life, outlining the role that education has played in his life. After the interview Barry signed copies of his book for the conference attendees.
After the panel discussion and the book launch, there was still time to bring the conference back to the theme of the day, with a presentation by Dr Tarisai Chikomba and PhD student Pauline Mitchell. Titled Education and the African student, the presenters explored education experiences of Africa students by looking at three different student groups. By looking at how first-generation Africans, their children and international students experienced education, the presenters were able to show both the benefits and challenges that each group experienced. The presentation revealed that greater research in the provision of education was needed if education disparities identified were to be resolved. This presentation opened wider discussions as conference attendees offered their own views and experiences. At the end of the presentation, there was general agreement that more research was needed to further understand changes needed to decolonise and diversify education provision to make education more equitable.
Next steps
It was clear from conference presentations, discussions and book launch throughout the day that there is growing research that focuses on the need for diverse knowledge systems as well as the diversification of education provision which is grounded in community alliances and other research groupings that benefit the communities we work with.
Further to these discussions, AFRIG has identified priority areas for future exploration. These include:
- community engagement events that build mutual understanding and identify research opportunities
- for AFRIG to secure external and internal funding to advance research in areas of focus
- identify opportunities to produce high-quality papers for publication especially targeting REF suitability to advance the group’s aims
- ensure that research has significant impact and knowledge exchange; that this impact is tracked, recorded and promoted to increase the group’s validity and visibility.
Overall, the conference was successful in promoting the group’s intentions within ARU and connecting University strategic approaches. In addition, AFRIG increased its membership with new members joining from the conference.
We are already planning for the next chapter as we look ahead to our 2025 conference. We'll publish details on our web pages.
- 9am: Registration
- 9.45am: Welcome
- 10am: Keynote – Dr Nhlanganiso Nyathi
- 11am: AFRIG research paper
- 11.35am: Parallel presentations
- 12.35pm: Lunch
- 1.35pm: Panel discussion
- 2pm: Book launch interview – Barry Alowusi
- 2.30pm: Perspectives: education and the African student
- 3pm: Refreshments
- 3.15pm: Conclusions
- 4pm: Close and networking
Currently, Nhlanganiso is a His Majesty’s Inspector for social care, and the child criminal exploitation champion for the London region. Nhlanganiso has extensive experience in social work practice, teaching, research, managerial and leadership levels in both statutory and non-statutory settings in the UK and abroad. His passion is in child and family social work and supervised research up to doctoral level; he also has experience as an independent reviewing officer and in chairing child protection reviews.
Nhlanganiso has served as a school governor, an elected faculty member in ARU's Senate, and on faculty strategy groups (equality, diversity and inclusion & interprofessional learning). He's a member of the Virtual Interprofessional Education (VIPE-Africa) which seeks to promote virtual IPE on the English-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa and has established research and publication networks at local, regional, national, and global levels. Nhlanganiso has published journal articles and book chapters on child protection decision-making, interprofessional learning and global health and social care issues.
Lessons from an Unexpected Journey embarks on a heartfelt journey through seven decades of lessons learned and wisdom earned. The book intertwines poignant reflections on the unwavering faith that has been a guiding light, the profound importance of family bonds that have nurtured and sustained, and the cherished friendships that have brought opportunity, joy and resilience. With a steadfast desire to continue pursuing dreams and achieving goals, this narrative is a testament to the enduring spirit of growth and fulfilment at every stage of life. Inspiring and deeply personal, Lessons from an Unexpected Journey is a celebration of both Barry's life and the human experience, a roadmap for living a life of purpose and passion.
Barry is married to Victoria Awolusi and together they have five children and a granddaughter.