Decolonizing research: The possibilities of Indigenous research methodologies
A public seminar with Professor Bagele Chilisa (University of Botswana)
Professor Bagele Chilisa is a globally renowned postcolonial scholar, researcher, author and educator who has written extensively about decolonizing research. Her groundbreaking book Indigenous Research Methodologies provides practical and theoretical tools for honouring Indigenous knowledges, conducting insider research, and addressing power in knowledge production. It was the first textbook that situates research in a larger, historical, cultural and global context and draws on Indigenous knowledge from Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Asia. Her research focuses on the development of research methodologies that are relevant, context specific and appropriate in African contexts and other culturally complex communities. She writes about and practices research methodologies that make visible the voices of those who continue to suffer oppression and discrimination on the basis of sex, race/ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or social class.
We look forward to being inspired and challenged by Professor Bagele Chilisa’s globally renowned postcolonial scholarship. We also look forward to hearing reflections from Rwandan and other international scholars, including Dr Jane Awi the Director of the Somare Research Institute at the University of Goroka in Papua New Guinea. There will also be a Q & A session.
Venue: University of Rwanda/Remera Campus
Bookings: https://forms.gle/TCQTdcc5jYPYMCjb8
“Dear Violence”: Creative forms of research and community action in response to domestic violence in Papua New Guinea
A public seminar with Dorothy Wanega and Jane Awi
Papua New Guinean researchers Dorothy Wanega and Jane Awi are finding innovative ways to enable high school students to speak about how domestic violence is affecting their lives, and to elicit and document their suggestions as to ways of reducing violence in their homes, villages and provinces. Using arts-based research and narrative therapy approaches a series of collective letters in the voice of young people have been created as well as a song. These letters and song are now being used to raise awareness of domestic violence and have been shared with women’s organisations who are supporting survivors in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. This presentation will share these creative approaches to research and will be relevant to practitioners who are seeking to respond to gender based violence; to those working with high school students; and to those researchers seeking to create research projects that can respond to community problems. Reflections will be offered by Rwandan and Australian scholars and practitioners and Professor Bagele Chilisa from the University of Botswana.
There will also be a Q & A session.
Dorothy Wanega is a lecturer with the Division of Learning and Teaching in the School of Education at The University of Goroka. Her qualifications include a Master of Counselling and a Postgraduate Certificate in Special Education from the University of Waikato, New Zealand. She also holds a Bachelor of Education with Honours from The University of Goroka. Dorothy obtained her diploma in secondary teaching from the Goroka Teachers’ College and had over 20 years’ teaching experience before joining The University of Goroka. Her research interests are in guidance and counselling, women’s issues and student behaviour.
Dr Jane Pumai Awi is the Executive Director of the Somare Research Institute and Director of the Centre for Confucius Education, Culture and Research at The University of Goroka. She received her doctorate in creative industry from Queensland University of Technology, Australia, in 2014. For her PhD research, Jane conducted practice-led research that harnessed Indigenous performance elements and created a new folk opera form of applied theatre for HIV/AIDS education in Papua New Guinea. She has received two prestigious leadership awards: the Australia Pacific Prime Minister’s Leadership Award and the Pacific Island Leadership Award, which gave her opportunities to study leadership principles in Australia, Hawaii and Taiwan. Her research interests are in performative literature, performing arts, theatre for development, community development and e-learning.
Date: 15 May 2026
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Venue: Lemigo Hotel, Kigali Rwanda
Bookings: https://forms.gle/dmrxKpkrtwSYeVCj9
Dorothy and Jane have recently published an article about their work in International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work. You can read about it here: https://dulwichcentre.com.au/dear-violence-using-process-drama-narrative-therapy-and-collective-letters-to-explore-and-acknowledge-students-experiences-of-domestic-violence-in-png-dorothy-wa/
Flyers for each of these seminars may be downloaded below:
These public seminars are brought to you by Dulwich Centre Foundation, University of Rwanda, The University of Melbourne and Narrative Practice Research Network.