Linking universities and marginalised communities: South African case studies of innovation focused on livelihoods in informal settings
Key Points
The project aims to explore innovative methodologies and concepts to enhance development and higher education engagement with marginalized communities.
Conceptual analysis of innovation studies focusing on incremental approaches.
Case studies examining the role of universities in informal settings in South Africa.
Evaluation of participation methods by marginalized individuals as active agents.
Identified gaps in traditional innovation studies that overlook informal sector contributions.
Highlighted successful models of engagement between universities and marginalized communities.
Proposed frameworks for promoting inclusive development through active participation.
Abstract
The project aims to make a conceptual and methodological contribution to research on innovation, development and higher education. It challenges the focus of innovation studies - typically on science and technology, radical innovation and economic development in formal sectors - and extends the remit to encompass innovation that is incremental, takes doing, using, and-interacting modes, and is based in informal settings. In turn, the tendency of development studies to focus on top-down development is challenged in favour of inclusive development that focuses on participation by the marginalised as active agents to ensure sustainable benefits.
High-risk alcohol use and associated socio-demographic, health and psychosocial factors in patients with HIV infection in three primary health care clinics in South Africa