scholarly journals Beyond Euro-Western dominance: An African-centred decolonial paradigm

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nontyatyambo P. Dastile
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Transdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Afrocentric Paradigm

In search for Africa’s solutions to solve African-centred problems, an African-centred paradigm provides a starting point towards knowledge generation. Africans continue to be confronted with models and paradigms that are export-oriented in a quest to serve as import substitutions for explaining obstacles prevalent on the African continent. Faced with this realisation, hegemonic discourses abound, which only serve to misdiagnose prevailing problems. Thus, when African scholars compare realities with Euro-Americans, there is a glaring consensus to move towards an adoption of more centred paradigms to respond to the poverty of existing theoretical formulations. This article therefore proposes an African-centred decolonial paradigm in response to Kwasi Wiredu’s call for ‘Africa, know thyself’. Though albeit not prescriptive, the author seeks to map out the contours of an African-centred decolonial paradigm predicated on three existing paradigms. Firstly: the Afrocentric paradigm proposed by Molefe Kete Asante. Secondly: the pillars of Africanity as a combative methodology and paradigm proposed by Archie Mafeje. Thirdly, Afrikology is discussed, which emphasises a universal transdisciplinary approach. Based on these three paradigms, the author posits that if Africans want to play a much larger role in knowledge generation that is responsive to human needs and existential problems, an African-centred decolonial paradigm offers a multi-transdisciplinary framework, which may be used to foreground African scholarly endeavours.

Toward a transdisciplinary integration of research purposes and methods for complex dynamic systems theory: beyond the quantitative–qualitative divide

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Hiver ◽  
Ali H. Al-Hoorie ◽  
Diane Larsen-Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Transdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Complex Dynamic Systems ◽  
Human And Social Sciences ◽  
Starting Point

Abstract Complexity theory/dynamic systems theory has challenged conventional approaches to applied linguistics research by encouraging researchers to adopt a pragmatic transdisciplinary approach that is less paradigmatic and more problem-oriented in nature. Its proponents have argued that the starting point in research design should not be the quantitative–qualitative distinction, or even mixed methods, but the distinction between individual versus group-based designs (i.e., idiographic versus nomothetic). Taking insights from transdisciplinary complexity research in other human and social sciences, we propose an integrative transdisciplinary framework that unites these different perspectives (quantitative–qualitative, individual–group based) from the starting point of exploratory–falsificatory aims. We discuss the implications of this transdisciplinary approach to applied linguistics research and illustrate how such an integrated approach might be implemented in the field.

scholarly journals Planetary Health Ethics: Beyond First Principles

Challenges ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Foster ◽  
Jennifer Cole ◽  
Andrew Farlow ◽  
Ivica Petrikova
Keyword(s):  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Ethical Framework ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Transdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Planetary Health ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Operating Space

Planetary health is a transdisciplinary approach that aims to advance the understanding of the links between human-driven changes to the planet and their consequences, and to develop appropriate solutions to the challenges identified. This emerging movement has not yet agreed upon a code of ethics to underpin the rapidly expanding body of research being carried out in its name. However, a code of ethics might support the principles for planetary health set out in the Canmore Declaration of 2018. Phrases such as “Public Health 2.0”, “Human Health in an Era of Global Environmental Change”, or “A safe and just operating space for humanity” are often used in planetary health discussions, but are not always clearly defined and so far, the field lacks a strong guiding ethical framework. In this paper, we propose a starting point towards a code of ethics for planetary health that builds on the Canmore Declaration. We chose to propose 12 ethical principles in recognition of the need for a 12-Step Programme for the planet. The human race must identify and reject damaging behaviours. Evidence of the harm we are causing the planet is no longer enough and refraining from certain current practices is essential for Earth’s future health. We must motivate advocacy and calls for action. We believe a shared ethical code can act as a tool to enable and encourage that process. This paper is presented to the planetary health community as a starting point, not as a finished agenda. We welcome comments, critiques, additions and the opportunity to rework our approach accordingly.

African/Afrikan-centered Psychology

2020 ◽  
pp. 008124632097200
Author(s):  
Nhlanhla Mkhize
Keyword(s):  
African Continent ◽  
Interdisciplinary Knowledge ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Afrocentric Paradigm ◽  
Psychological Concepts

Psychology, as it is taught in most universities on the African continent, is an extension of the Eurocentric psychological paradigm. This article argues that colonization has not only led to the loss of land, it has been accompanied by the eradication of complex, interdisciplinary knowledge traditions that comprise the subject of Afrikan Psychology. The article goes on to outline the inclusive epistemology and transdisciplinary methodology that undergird Afrikan Psychology. The orientating concepts in Afrikan Psychology are introduced. The urgent need to develop interventions that are informed by the Afrocentric paradigm is highlighted. The article concludes with a call for the study of Afrikan languages to unearth the psychological concepts that are embedded in them.

scholarly journals The “Gay” and Psychopathology: Interrogating the Sexual Theories of Homophobes

Phronimon ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Barnard
Keyword(s):  
African Continent ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Educational Spaces

This article seeks to explain and interrogate the sexual theories of homophobes observable on the African continent. I begin by exploring a possible explanation for the emergence and maintenance of certain homophobic sexual theories; Donald Moss’s arguments regarding the identification or disidentification economy will serve as a possible theoretical starting point. I then investigate three possible sexual theories of homophobes when mentally preoccupied with “the gay man.” Finally, I return to economies of identification as both a colonial perpetuation (in the form of adopting homophobic sexual theories) and as decolonial opportunity (in the form of conflictual identifications). I argue that homophobia and the constituent sexual theories could ideally be dissolved (among other settings) in educational spaces. In these educational spaces, I argue, the homophobe could be identifying with the “non-homophobic” pedagogue, which could bring about the dissolution of homophobia if the identification with the educator is strong enough.

scholarly journals Application Of Tourist Route Map Based On Modification Bidirectional A * Algorithm

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-87
Author(s):  
Panji Winata ◽  
Wijanarto
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Route ◽  
A Algorithm ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Future ◽  
Efficient Route ◽  
High Level ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Busy Road

Tourism is an activity that has become a trend of human needs. The development of technology in the current era is very helpful in providing such information to tourists, one of which is information about the route in the planning of tourism activities. Tourists will certainly choose the optimal route in their journey to make their tours more effective. In order to determine the fastest route, this paper will present a mobile-based application that will help tourists to quickly reach the destination. The Efficient Modified Bidirectional A * algorithm is chosen because it will provide an efficient route with shorter distance, which is a modification of the A * algorithm. The results of the case study of 5 trips from the starting point toward the goal resulted in a high level of efficiency (3 cases) and quite good (3 cases) with values, 77.5%, 53%, 53.8%, 73%, 72.6 %. The above percentage is calculated by finding a proportional distance (d) of choice with the distance of all possible paths, then subtracting 1 by multiplying d by 100%. In the future work need to add the parameters of the busy road route or not to be selected more optimal.

scholarly journals Plädoyer für eine linguistische Partizipation an einem konstruktivistisch begründeten, kulturwissenschaftlichen Projekt transdisziplinärer Forschung am Beispiel der Interkulturellen Kommunikation

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antje Hornscheidt
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Cultural Analysis ◽  
Transdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Traditional Research ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Constructivist Perspective ◽  
Linguistic Approach

In my article I take a constructivist perspective as a starting point. Giving some introductory remarks on the role of language and the constitution of meaning within a constructivist framework, the article discusses the role and relevance of Critical Discourse Analysis and Cognitive Linguistics within this frame for cultural studies. It is argued that a transdisciplinary approach is most valuable for a research taking the importance of linguistic processes for cultural analysis into account. Following especially Fauconnier (1999) and Verschueren (1999), the importance of a pragmatic and cognitive-linguistic approach to language is underlined. To exemplify the consequences that a transdisciplinary approach could have, the article focuses on the way intercultural communication has been conceptualized within linguistics so far. The critical analysis of traditional research on and conceptualization of intercultural communication shows, how a constructivist perspective can widen the scope of linguistic research.

scholarly journals Towards a Resilient and Equitable Society: A Transdisciplinary Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-181
Author(s):  
Eduardo A. Bracho Montes de Oca ◽  
Iris Brand ◽  
Dumitru Malcoci ◽  
Oscar Neyrinck ◽  
Kerim S. Zurel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Learning Cycle ◽  
Transdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Societal Issues ◽  
The Core ◽  
Private Data ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Social ◽  
Activity Models

Recurring crises have exposed time and again the inherent inequalities of our societies and their ill-equipped adjustment to an ever-changing environment. This paper attempts to address the challenge of creating a more resilient and equitable society by developing a feasible blueprint for it through a bottom-up, transdisciplinary approach and the use of activity models methodology. The starting point of our analysis consisted of the identification of five cross-field societal issues, tack ling which would create a more equitable and resilient future for society: dangers of private data extractions, carbon emission taxing, climate migration, public health affordability, and the crisis of representative democracy. By jointly engaging in transdisciplinary discussions and accommodating insights from diverse stakeholders we analyzed ways of dealing with each of the issues, resulting in the creation of six activity models pertaining to them. The last step consisted in their integration into a single blueprint, achieved by devising a learning cycle running through the core of our societal model. The learning cycle organizes decision-making by identifying the social needs of the citizens, prioritizing them, deciding on key investments, executing these and monitoring their results. It ensures, through the contribution of each activity model, an equitable and resilient development for society.

scholarly journals Assessing Nigerian political leadership with a democratic paradigm

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-72
Author(s):  
Ignatius C. Uzondu
Keyword(s):  
Political Leadership ◽  
Analytic Method ◽  
Democratic Deficit ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Democratic Practice ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Form Of Government ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Right ◽  
Bad Leadership

A sober reflection or speculation on African leadership portrays the practice of authentic democracy as a perennial problem in Nigeria and in African continent. Democratic/electoral process is where citizens choose representatives in government by means of free, fair, contested and regularly scheduled elections and where adults have the right to vote and their votes count. But Nigerian democracy lacks basic trust. It is really a universal problem but Africans and Nigerians in particular got larger portion as our democratic practice is very poor. The citizens should be the starting point and focus of democracy, but this is not the case in Nigeria as many political and elected elites represent their business interest. This democratic deficit or deficiency is seen in local, state and federal levels of Nigerian government and this leads gradually to a serious decline in citizen’s active participation or active citizenship. Using expository and analytic method of inquiry, we found out that Nigerians and Africans may have been drifting from this form of government due to some of its demerit. Again, Africa has been long known for its communitarian living/communalism which we found to have enormous similarities with democracy though the difference is clear. Corruption, bad leadership, lack of originality and the likes are the causes of lack of authentic democratic practice and leadership in Africa and in Nigeria. Finally, this study concludes that the dividends of authentic democracy will be fully evident and rooted in Nigeria and Africa only when we embrace democracy in full. Keywords: Political leadership, Democracy, Communalism

International Aid: The Next Steps

1964 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dudley Seers
Keyword(s):  
International Aid ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Economic Unit ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The World ◽  
Basic Human Needs

The correct starting point in the analysis of any economic unit is to pose the following three questions: What are the needs of the people? What resources are available? How adequately are these resources being mobilised for these needs ?1These questions are applicable to a continent or a country (or for that matter a county, a city, or a village); they can also be applied to the world as a whole. If they are, a picture emerges which, if it does not appal us, because it is so familiar and so easily taken for granted, would certainly astonish a visitor from another planet. The basic human needs for nourishment and for protection from the weather are not great, and the resources known to be available could, with current levels of technique, easily permit a comfortable living standard for everyone. Yet these resources are very largely unexploited or wasted, and miserable poverty is the typical human condition.

Functional Procurement as Demand-Side Innovation Policy

2019 ◽  
pp. 106-130
Author(s):  
Susana Borrás ◽  
Charles Edquist
Keyword(s):  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Public Agencies ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Functional Specification ◽  
Global Challenges ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Societal Problems ◽  
Innovation Processes

Public procurement occurs when public agencies purchase products (goods, services, and systems). The rationale, purpose, and starting point of public procurement should always be to solve societal problems, to satisfy human needs, or to meet global challenges, such as environmental and health problems. This chapter discusses how public procurement can influence the direction and speed of innovation processes, as an instrument of innovation policy operating from the demand side. The chapter focuses on four specific kinds of procurement, namely (1) direct innovation procurement, (2) catalytic innovation procurement, (3) functional regular procurement, and (4) pre-commercial procurement. A conclusion is that functional specification is needed for all four of these different kinds of procurement. Questions addressed are: how can we achieve an increase in the use of innovation-enhancing procurement? What types of procurement initiatives have the potential to influence innovations most? And how can these be designed and implemented?

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