Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Decolonising transdisciplinary research approaches: an African perspective for enhancing knowledge integration in sustainability science

  • Special Feature: Overview Article
  • Sustainability Science for Meeting Africa’s Challenges
  • Published:
Sustainability Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The main argument in this article is that methodologies rooted in African philosophies, worldviews, and history, bring to the academic discourse, alternative ways of conducting research. Such methodologies question academic and methodological imperialism, and bring to the centre problem and solution-driven research agendas. The methodologies epitomise indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) as a body of thought that embraces all knowledge systems, and legitimise ILK holders, practitioners, and communities as scholars and authors of what they know and how it can be known. The article gives examples of how mainstream methodologies based on European/Western paradigms marginalise other knowledge systems. It illustrates the contested process of integrating academic and ILK. It further discusses the philosophical foundations of methodologies rooted in African cultures and how these methodologies can inform a decolonisation and indigenisation of sustainability science and transdisciplinary research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alatas SH (2004) The captive mind and creative development. In: Mukheriji PN, Sengupta C (eds) Indigeneity and universality in social science: a South African response. Sage, New Dehli

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger-Gonzalez M, Stauffacher M, Zinsstag J, Edwards P, Krutli P (2016) Trans-disciplinary research on cancer-healing systems between biomedicine and the Maya of Guatemala: a tool for reciprocal reflexivity in a multi-epistemological setting. Qual Health Res 26(1):77–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhabha H (1994) The location of culture. Routledge, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaut JM (1993) The coloniser’s model of the world: geographical diffusionism and eurocentric history. Guilford Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Boshoff N (2009) Neo-colonialism and research collaboration in central Africa. Scienometrics 81(2):413–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandt P et al (2013) A review of transdisciplinary research in sustainability science. Ecol Econ 92:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs J (2013) Indigenous knowledge: a false dawn for development theory and practice? Prog Dev 12(3):231–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buntu BA (2013) Claiming self: the role of Afrikology in social transformation. Scrptura 112:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll KK (2008) Africana studies and research methodology: Revisiting the centrality of Afrikan worldview. J Pan Afr Stud 2(2):5–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers R (1997) Whose reality really counts? Putting the first last?. International Technological Publications, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chilisa B (2002) National policies on pregnancy in the education system in sub-saharan Africa: a case of botswana. Gend Educ 14(1):21–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chilisa B (2005) Educational research within postcolonial Africa: a critique of HIV/AIDS research in Botswana. Int J Qual Stud 18(6):659–684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chilisa B (2012) Indigenous research methodologies. Sage, Los Angeles

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilisa B, Preece J (2005) Research methods for adult educators in Africa. Pearson, Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilisa B, Tsheko GN (2014) Mixed methods in indigenous research: building relationships for sustainable intervention outcomes. J Mixed Methods Res 8(3):222–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chilisa B, Moletsane L, Simms M (2014) The department of science and technology-national research foundation (DST-NRF) review of the NRF managed indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) programme. Science and Technology Department, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa

  • Chilisa B, Major TE, Gaotlhobogwe M, Mokgolodi H (2016) Decolonizing and indigenizing evaluation practice in Africa: toward African relational evaluation approaches. Can J Program Eval 30(3):312–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilisa B, Major T, Khudu-Petersen L (2017) Community engagement with an African-based relational paradigm. Qual Res 17(3):326–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clemence M, Chimininge U (2015) Totem, Taboos and Sacred places: an analysis of Kalanga people’s environmental conservation and management practices. Int J Humanit Soc Sci Invent 14(11):7–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Cram F et al (2013) The journey Begins. In: Mertens D, Cram F, Chilisa B (eds) Indigenous pathways in social research: voices of a new generation. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, pp 11–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Diaz S, Demissew S, Carabias J, Joly C, Lonsdale M, Ash N, Larigauderie A, Zlatanova D (2015) The IPBES conceptual framework—connecting nature and people. Curr Opin Environ Sustain 14:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Easton PB (2012) Identifying the evaluative impulse in local culture: insights from West African, proverbs. Am J Eval 33(4):515–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elabor-Idemudia P (2002) Participatory research: a tool in the production of knowledge in development discourse. In: Saunders K (ed) Feminist post-development thought: Rethinking modernity, post colonialism and representation. Zed Books, London, pp 227–242

  • Emagalit Z (2000) Contemporary African philosophy. http://homepages.acc.msmc.edu/fuculty/lindeman/af.html. Accessed 26 June 2001

  • Glasson G et al (2010) Sustainability science in Africa: negotiating indigenous ways of living with nature. Int J Sci Educ 32(1):125–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goduka IN (2000) African/indigenous philosophies: legitimizing spiritually centered wisdoms within the academy. In: Higgs P, Vakalisa NCG, Mda TV, Assie-Lumumba NT (eds) African voices in education. Juta, Lansdowne, pp 63–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanks LH (2008) The Ubuntu paradigm: psychology’s next force? J Humanit Psychol 48(1):116–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodge P, Lester J (2006) Indigenous research: whose priority? Journeys and possibilities of cross cultural research in geography. Geogr Res 44(1):41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hountondji PL (1983) African philosophy: Myth or reality. Indiana University press, Bloomington, Indianapolis

  • Johnson JT, Howitt R, Cajete G, Berkes F, Louis RP, Kliskey A (2016) Weaving indigenous and sustainability sciences to diversify our methods (WIS2DOM). Sustain Sci 11:1–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaphagawani DN (2000) What is African philosophy? In: Coetzee PH, Roux APJ (eds) Philosophy from Africa: a text with readings. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 205–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Karen M (2003) Ways of knowing, ways of being and ways of doing: a theoretical framework and methods for Indigenous re-search and indigenist research, voicing dissent, new talents 21C: next generation Australian Studies. J Aust Stud 76:203–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovach M (2009) Indigenous methodologies: characteristics, conversations and contexts. University of Toronto Press, Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang DJ et al (2012) Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science: practice, principles, and challenges. Sustain Sci 7:25–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Letseka M (2014) Ubuntu and justice on fairness. Mediterr J Soc Sci 5(9):544–551

    Google Scholar 

  • Li PP (2011) Toward and integrative framework of indigenous research: the geocentric implications of Ying-Yang balance. Asia Pac J Manag 29(4):849–872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makgoba MW, Shope T, Mazwai T (1999) Introduction. In: Makgoba M (ed) African renaissance: the new struggle. Mafube Publishing and Tafelberg Publishing, Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehta K et al (2013) AcademIK connections: bringing indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the classroom. J Community Engagem Scholarsh 6(2):83

    Google Scholar 

  • Mertens DM (2009) Transformative evaluation. Guilford Press, New York

  • Mertens DM, Wilson AT (2012) Program evaluataion theory and practice. A comprehensive guide. Guilford Press, New York

  • Mertens DM, Cram F (2016) Negotiating solidarity between indigenous and transformative paradigms in evaluation. Eval Matters 2:162–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Moquin H (2007) Postcolonial reflections on research in a Inuit community: learning in community. In: Proceedings of the joint international conference of the Adult Education Research Conference (AERC) (48th National Conference) and the Canadian Association for the Study of Adult Education (CASAE), University of Glasgow, Scotland

  • Msila V (2009) Africanisation of education and the search for relevance and context. Educ Res Rev 4(6):310–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Musyoka M, Mertens DM (2007) Making research and evaluation our own: ethical implications for strengthening the foundations for Africa-Rooted and Africa led enquiry. Mosenodi 13:104–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Muwanga-Zake IWE (2009) Building bridges across knowledge systems: Ubuntu and participative research paradigms in Bantu-communities. Stud Cult Politics Educ 30(4):413–426. doi:10.1080/01596300903237198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nabudere N (2011) Afrikology. An Epistemology. Cape Town African Books Collective, Philosophy and Wholeness

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Foundation (2012) Indigenous knowledge systems, knowledge fields development framework document. Department of Science and Technology, Pretoria, South Africa

  • Ntiamo-Baidu Y (2008) The effectiveness of sacred Grove, Taboos, Totems in Ghana for habitat and species conservation. J Study Relig Nat Cult 12:309–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyasini J (2016) The ontological significance of “I” and “We” in African philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.galerie-inter.de/kimmerle/frameText8.htm. Accessed 14 Aug 2017

  • Ocholla D (2007) Marginalized knowledge: an agenda for indigenous knowledge development and integration with other forms of knowledge. Int Rev Inform Ethics 7:236–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver AC (1934) Mental tests in the study of the African. J Int African Institute 7(1):40–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oruka O (1998) Sage philosophy: indigenous thinkers and the modern debate. Nairobi University Press, Nairobi

    Google Scholar 

  • Pascual U, Balvanera P, Díaz S, Pataki G, Roth E, Stenseke M, Watson RT, Yagi N (2017) Valuing nature’s contributions to people: the IPBES approach. Curr Opin Environ Sustain 26:7–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ping L (2012) Toward and Integrative framework of indigenous research: the geocentric implications of Ying-Yang Balance. Asia Pac J Manag 29:849–872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pryor J et al (2009) Exploring the fault lines of cross cultural collaborative research. Compare 39(6):769–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romm NRA (2015) Reviewing the transformative paradigm: a critical systemic and relational (indigenous) lens. Syst Pract Action Res 28:411–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russon C (2008) An Eastern paradigm of evaluation. J Multidiscip Eval 5(10):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Said EW (1993) Culture and imperialism. vintage, London

  • Scheurich JJ, Young MD (1997) Coloring methodologies: are our research epistemologies racially biased? Educ Res 26(4):4–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shizha E (2010) Rethinking and reconstituting indigenous knowledge and voice in the Academy in Zimbabwe: a decolonisation process. In: Kappor D, Shizha E (eds) Indigenous knowledge in learning and Asia/Pacific and Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, New York, pp 115–129

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sibiri EA (2014) Totemism and environmental preservation among nembe people in the South–South Zone, Nigeria. Mediterr J Soc Sci 5(7):519–529

    Google Scholar 

  • Sillitoe P (2010) Trst in development: some implications of knowing indigenous knowledge. J Roy Anthropol Inst 16:12–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith IT (1999) Decolonising methodologies: research and indigenous people. Zed Books, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Spivak GC (1988) Can the subaltern speak? In: Cary N, Grossberg L (eds) Marxism and the interpretation of culture. University of Illinois Press, Urbana, IL, pp 271–313

  • Walter M, Andersen C (2013) Indigenous statistics: a quantitative research methodology. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson S (2008) Research is ceremony: indigenous research methods. Fernwood, Manitoba, Canada

  • World Bank (1998) Indigenous knowledge systems in sub-Saharan Africa: An overview. IK Notes

  • Yantio DY (2013) Drawn from the traditions of cameroon: lessons from 21 years of practice. In: Mertens N, Cram F, Chilisa B (eds) Indigenous pathways to social research, voice from a new generation. Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, pp 123–132

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana

    Bagele Chilisa

Authors
  1. Bagele Chilisa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bagele Chilisa.

Additional information

Handled by Alexandros Gasparatos, The University of Tokyo, Japan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chilisa, B. Decolonising transdisciplinary research approaches: an African perspective for enhancing knowledge integration in sustainability science. Sustain Sci 12, 813–827 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-017-0461-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-017-0461-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation