Early Career Researchers

Background

As a national academic organisation that started in 2013, SAERA has progressively sought to professionalise, cohere and improve educational research and academic work in South Africa. In recent years the association has increasingly sought to focus on building the next generation of scholars and offering support for early career academics.

In 2020 SAERA moved to amend the constitution to facilitate representation of early career scholars on the executive committee based on consultation and feedback from membership. An expansive definition of the Early Career Researcher (ECR) includes (i) students engaged in their Doctoral or Master’s studies or (ii) Post-doctoral fellows or (iii) someone who is within five years of receipt of a Master’s or Doctoral degree, or (iv) who has recently been appointed in an academic position, and who is interested in working at a national, regional and international level to:

– broaden research training and professional development experiences;
– exchange experiences and ideas about research and research training;
– develop research projects in collaboration with researchers of different institutions and countries;
– actively participate in a research community for emerging academics

Each year a range of initiatives and workshops are brought forward forming part of a broad strategy to enhance SAERA’s reach and support for the next generation of scholars, and to encourage academic networks to become affiliated and build the SAERA community.

Below are links to these workshops and resources, including SAERA’s ECR Facebook group, and key documents relating to the work to support ECR’s within SAERA.

Resources

1. Background:

a) Virtual Townhall with ECR’s (2021)

2. ECR workshops (workshop playlist on Youtube channel)

3. ECR presentations (Googe drive folder)

4. ECR documents (Google drive folder)

5. ECR blog posts:
a) Election of ECR rep 2022
b) Supporting Early Career researchers within SAERA

6. Facebook group 

Contact Details: 
Email SAERA secretary: rose@saera.co.za
Email ECR representative: modismp@unisa.ac.za 

Dear SAERA Members

You are welcome to the official website of the South African Educational Research Association (SAERA). This platform serves as a central hub where one can stay informed and be kept abreast of the latest news and developments about events like seminars, symposiums, workshops, conferences organized by SAERA.

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.