Engaging with Complexity: Making Sense of 'Wicked Problems' in Rural South Africa
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| Title: | Engaging with Complexity: Making Sense of 'Wicked Problems' in Rural South Africa |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Burman, Christopher J. |
| Source: | Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement. 2019 23(3):199-217. |
| Availability: | Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, University of Georgia and the Institute of Higher Education. Treanor House, 1234 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602. Tel: 706-542-6167; Fax: 706-542-6124; e-mail: jheoe@uga.edu; Web site: http://openjournals.libs.uga.edu/index.php/jheoe |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2019 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Rural Areas, Social Problems, Difficulty Level, School Community Programs, Resilience (Psychology), Welfare Services, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Public Health, Program Administration, Social Bias, Change Strategies, Systems Approach, Universities |
| Geographic Terms: | South Africa |
| ISSN: | 1534-6102 |
| Abstract: | This article provides insights into the utility of applying theories associated with the complexity sciences to engaged research. The article reflects on a 4-year health-related engagement between the University of Limpopo and the Waterberg Welfare Society in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The introduction presents the focus of the partnership and the outputs to date. The sections that follow introduce (1) background information about the partnership, (2) the notion of "wicked problems" and resilience, (3) theory relating to anthropogenic complexity that influenced the project, and (4) a description of the taming wicked problems framework, which was developed to facilitate the intervention. The discussion reflects on learning from the project in the context of engaged research, wicked problems, and resilience. It is suggested that building resilience to wicked problems represents a useful addition to engaged scholarship's armamentarium of toolkits from both conceptual and practical perspectives. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2020 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1241653 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This article provides insights into the utility of applying theories associated with the complexity sciences to engaged research. The article reflects on a 4-year health-related engagement between the University of Limpopo and the Waterberg Welfare Society in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The introduction presents the focus of the partnership and the outputs to date. The sections that follow introduce (1) background information about the partnership, (2) the notion of "wicked problems" and resilience, (3) theory relating to anthropogenic complexity that influenced the project, and (4) a description of the taming wicked problems framework, which was developed to facilitate the intervention. The discussion reflects on learning from the project in the context of engaged research, wicked problems, and resilience. It is suggested that building resilience to wicked problems represents a useful addition to engaged scholarship's armamentarium of toolkits from both conceptual and practical perspectives. |
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| ISSN: | 1534-6102 |
