Seminar on Critical Reflections on the Experiences of Young Geographers in SA

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A research seminar concentrating on some of the main opportunities and challenges faced by early career Human Geographers in South Africa was held at UKZN recently. 

The seminar at the Centre for Critical Research on Race and Identity (ccrri) was presented by Dr Jennifer Houghton of the Graduate School of Business and Leadership and Dr Orli Bass of the ccrri.  It was titled: “Routes through the Academy: Critical Reflections on the Experiences of Young Geographers in South Africa”. 

The seminar was based on a co-authored paper published in a November 2012 special focus collection of the Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography. The collection addressed: Geographies of the Discipline: Experiences of Young Human Geographers Researching South Africa.

Critical reflection on these experiences offers insight into the implications of building a career in shifting national – and international – academic contexts. With particular emphasis on the South African experience, these include: finding an academic home and the necessity of then balancing research, publication, fundraising activities, teaching, departmental commitments, and the networking required to advance an academic career.  

The presenters noted the potential intellectual benefits and challenges of working in the interdisciplinary environment that is geography which requires young geographers to shift their perspective beyond their core discipline in terms of scholarly engagement. 

The discussion after the presentation extended to the work experiences of women and early career professionals more generally. Participants noted the similarity of experiences both within and beyond the academy, in a diverse range of contexts such as the practice of law and pathology. 

-           Melissa Mungroo