Decolonisation Calculator
In the following video, Bagele describes ways we can reflect on our own research by using the Decolonisation Calculator developed by the Africa Social Work and Development Network | Mtandao waKazi zaJamii naMaendeleo waAfrica.
Reflecting on our own research: Using the Decolonisation Calculator
Indigenous research continuum scale
We can also reflect on our research by considering the Indigenous research continuum scale. This scale asks the following questions:
- Does the research have social relevance and is it transformative?
- Is the decolonisation and indigenisation intent explicit?
- Does the research take a stance against political, academic and methodological imperialism of its time?
- Does the research highlight potential areas of Western research incompatibility with local and indigenous epistemologies as well as areas of convergence?
- Is there any concept or variable that is unique to the local phenomenon of study?
- Does the unique concept or variable contribute to building a new theory or modifying existing ones?
- Is there a local perspective, indigenous conceptual or theoretical framework that is used to inform a reflection on the specific context?
- Are there unique ontological, epistemological, cultural and value assumptions that inform the study that are different from the globally generic or other culturally approaches?
- What are the local or indigenous methods that are in contrast to globally applicable methods that are generic?
- What are the locally relevant constructs that are in contrast to globally applicable approaches that are generic?
- Does the research contribute towards a new research approach that develops from an indigenous conceptual or theoretical perspective?
- Does the research contribute towards the documentation and restoration of historical marginalised indigenous knowledge, cultures and values?
(Chilisa, Major & Khudu-Petersen, 2017, p. 329–330)
Reflect #1
Please write a reflection below about what becomes clearer to you about your own research when you apply either the Decolonisation Calculator or the Indigenous research continuum scale.
After you’ve written your reflection, please watch the following video in which Bagele invites us to consider what the effects of our current initiatives might be in ten years from now.
Ten years from now?
Reflect #2
Write a reflection below in response to Bagele’s prompts about what your role might be in ten years’ time.
References
Africa Social Work and Development Network. (2022). Decolonisation Calculator for Tertiary Institutions (DECA-SWDEI) [Web tool]. https://africasocialwork.net/decolonisation-calculator/
Gula, Z., & Jojo, Z. (2024). Harnessing Indigenous knowledge for teaching of mathematics for sustainable development in rural situated primary schools. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 28(3), 404–421. https://doi.org/10.1080/18117295.2024.2424696
Chilisa, B., Major, T., & Khudu-Petersen, K. (2017). Community engagement with a postcolonial, African-based relational paradigm. Qualitative Research, 17(2), 326–339. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794117696176