2021 Lecture by Prof. Jill Adler

Professor Jill Adler presented the 2021 annual SAERA Nelson Mandela Legacy Lecture, entitled “Thinking-with-Mandela on levering educational change”. The event was held on Zoom online due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, and was hosted by the WITS School of Education.

In her presentation, Prof Jill Adler asked us to reflect on Mandela’s Legacy, with these words:

The SAERA Nelson Mandela Legacy Lecture is an invitation to make Mandela ‘educational as opposed to simply or just inspirational’ and ‘a catalyst for the surfacing of contradiction …. rather than the tranquilising balm for which he is used’. I hope to use this lecture, and the honour it has bestowed, as a catalyst for reflecting on levering change in the teaching and learning of school mathematics. I will use the framing lens of Thinking-with-Mandela to reflect on the lessons and challenges of a ten-year research-linked professional development intervention in lower secondary mathematics. Revisiting educational conditions over the years of the intervention I will draw out key controversies, choices, and both intended and unintended consequences for the laudable goals of levering educational change. This discussion will in turn open-up the broader possibilities and contradictions in the enduring inequities in access to school mathematics. As Madiba said ‘We all know that education, more than anything else, improves our chances of building better lives’. But we all know he also said ‘Rhetoric is not important. Actions are’, and that ‘After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.’

Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and visiting Professor of Mathematics Education at King’s College London, UK. Jill was president of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) from 2017-2020 and held the SARChI Mathematics Education Chair at Wits from 2010-2019. She was awarded the 2012 Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Gold Medal for Science in the Service of Society as well as the 2015 ICMI Hans Freudenthal medal in recognition of a major cumulative program of research. She is also is an A-Rated researcher of the National Research Foundation, South Africa.

View the recording of Prof. Jill Adler’s presentation below:

Dear SAERA Members

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SAERA is a community of like-minded scholars who are passionate and dedicated to active and result-oriented educational research capable of solving the challenge confronting teaching and learning. SAERA was founded with a fundamental aim of enhancing educational research in South Africa and beyond. As a learned association, SAERA aim to foster collaboration among researchers, educators, and policymakers, to create an environment where theory and practice converge meaningfully. Our association aspires to bridge the gaps that often exist between academic research and practical implementation, a gap that, if left unaddressed, can stifle our efforts towards educational transformation. A central tenet of our mission is to promote rigorous research quality. In an age where information overload has become a norm, it is important that we not only produce research but ensure that our researches are of quality and highest standard. Our commitment to research integrity is unwavering, and we strive to cultivate an atmosphere where scholarly work is not only respected but also valued for its impact on educational practices. We believe that through high-quality research, we can influence policies that will make a tangible difference in the education sector.

Over the years, paucity of quality research outputs has been a daunting stumbling block to research frontiers in Africa and the rest of the world. As we forge ahead in this 21st century, it is crucial to devote particular attention to developing the next generation of researchers. It is important to note that investing in young researchers is not merely a gentle encouragement; it is a necessity. They are our torchbearers in the relentless quest for knowledge and innovation. To achieve this, we offer mentorship programmes, workshops, and resources aimed explicitly at equipping young researchers with the skills and knowledge they require to succeed. By nurturing these talents, we ensure that the field of educational research remains dynamic, robust, and responsive to the ever-evolving educational landscape to meet the need of the modern society.

Our vision is not defined by individual achievements but by the establishment of a cohesive, coherent, and inclusive academic and research identity within the education sector. We seek to create vigorous and responsive epistemic communities that foster collaboration, dialogue, and innovation. These will serve as platforms for sharing best practices, discussing challenges, and brainstorming solutions to common issues in educational research. Moreover, we recognize the importance of interaction with national and provincial education departments and research agencies. These relationships are vital as they pave the way for informed policy-making backed by solid research evidence. We will actively seek to engage these stakeholders, ensuring our research informs their initiatives. This collaboration enables us not only to advocate for the importance of educational research but also to influence policy decisions that will lead to improved educational outcomes for all South Africans.

As we strive for local impact, we must also set our sights on the global stage. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and our efforts should reflect that reality. Therefore, SAERA is committed to establishing links with international educational research organizations and similar entities across Southern Africa and the broader African continent. Together, we can share insights, learn from one another, and contribute to a unified body of knowledge that serves our collective goals. These collaborations will enrich our understanding and elevate our standing in the global academic community, allowing us to contribute actively to international discourses on education.

Yours in scholarship.

 Prof. Melanie B. Luckay.