Congratulations to Dr Eugene Machimana of the Department for Education Innovation, who was recently honoured with the Education Association of South Africa’s Emerging Researcher Award!

Dr Eugene Machimana, an education consultant in the Department for Education Innovation’s Community Engagement Unit at the University of Pretoria (UP), recently received the 2022 Education Association of South Africa’s (EASA) Emerging Researcher Award. He accepted the medal at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town. Tukkievaria caught up with him to find out more about his achievements as a young researcher.

How does EASA play a role in postgraduate or higher education?

The association is an inclusive network of academics, researchers and practitioners who prioritise education, particularly education in South Africa. This is done by means of active exchange and critique of hypotheses, theories and practices. EASA members strive to promote excellence in education-related research and science.

EASA hosts an annual conference, which is a platform for spirited debate about education, past and present, and how it might best inform future education and necessary social change. A recurring feature at EASA conferences are the multiple voices that participate, including those of students, teachers, principals, and seasoned and emerging researchers/academics. These voices stimulate nuanced and relevant but also provocative learning.

What criteria does EASA apply when selecting a researcher for this award?

The candidate should be someone who has contributed to and promoted the scientific status of education within their first eight years in an academic or research position.

They must have published articles in accredited national and/or international journals related to the field of educational research. The successful completion of a funded research project that has contributed to the relevance of education in improving any aspect of educational value in South Africa will act as a strong recommendation.

A candidate may be nominated by an institution, EASA’s Executive Committee or any individual member of EASA for consideration by the Executive Committee. The nomination must be accompanied by a comprehensive CV and extensive motivation.

As an emerging researcher, what has been your role in developing research ideas and carrying them forward?

My research interests focus on community engagement, global citizenship, cognitive and social justice, and HIV/AIDS. I was awarded a place on UP’s Postgraduate Study Abroad, and this presented me with an opportunity to visit the University of Alberta in Canada to further my research in global citizenship. During my stay, I presented community engagement papers to both students and staff members at the university. I also attended the Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Research’s international conference. I published papers that were linked to this research programme.

What are your most significant research accomplishments?

As an education consultant and community engagement chairperson, I have facilitated more than 200 community projects under UP. The projects have made a difference in the community, and resulted in several academic and non-academic papers. The non-academic papers serve as a platform for the University to relate with community partners as equals. I explore different ways to ensure that community partners influence the curriculum and practice as they have rich knowledge to contribute to research.

In the scientific community, I have presented papers and chaired sessions at national and international conferences, such as those hosted by EASA, the World Education Research Association, Teaching Advancement at Universities and the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress.

I have published several articles in national and international journals, including a chapter in a recently published book titled Community Engagement Research in South Africa: Methods, Theories, Histories and Practice.

I have also compiled and published more than 50 community engagement newsletters (such as Lentšu La Sechaba.)

What do you consider to be your best work yet, and why?

I think my best work is yet to come as I am a developing researcher. However, if I were to select one paper, I would choose one titled ‘Higher education uses community engagement-partnership as a research space to build knowledge’. As a research-intensive university, UP promotes and recognises that community partners are capable of quality knowledge co-generation through community engagement. This article resonates well with the ethos of the University.

How do you think the UP community benefits from your research?

My research has helped me to appreciate that community engagement is about social and cognitive justice for the benefit of all partners involved. The landscape of social and cognitive justice changes as a result of factors such as context, history, globalisation and global social movement. I strive to acknowledge local knowledge as I believe in the promotion of cognitive justice through research and practice. It is crucial to link social and cognitive justice while pursuing global justice for marginalised communities.

Do you have any comments for your mentors/supervisors?

I’d like to offer heartfelt thanks to Professor Liesel Ebersöhn and Prof Ruth Mampane of the Department of Educational Psychology for nominating me for this prestigious award. I dedicate it to my mentor Prof Ebersöhn. I am so privileged to be guided and supported by such a seasoned, well-esteemed scholar.

I would also like to extend words of appreciation to the EASA Executive Committee for selecting me for the award. Additionally, I appreciate the support I received from the Department for Education Innovation under the leadership of Prof Gerrit Stols and Prof Ana Naidoo.