Theme: Learning
An increasing number of large multi-partner, geographically distributed, inter-disciplinary research consortia are being funded to address wicked problems at the interface between people and the environment, such as around climate change and sustainable development. Some argue that this collaborative research model holds the potential to yield unique insights that can be applied to multiple regions and reflect a more systemic and integrated understanding of the issues in question. However, working collaboratively across several time zones and local contexts, different institutional and personal capacities, across the practitioner-researcher divide and multiple disciplines, also entails large transaction costs and a challenging integration process. Needless to say, being involved in such endeavours offers countless opportunities for reflection and learning. This page focuses on the outcomes of some of the reflection processes ASSAR team members are involved in.
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Related News
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Adapting TSP for the ASSAR context
We are almost at the end of ASSAR and TSPs have now been completed in West Africa, India and Southern Africa. It is timely to begin to take stock. And in doing so, it might be useful to remind ourselves of the origins of TSP and the creativity and good will that has gone into experimenting with and adapting the process for the purposes and context of ASSAR.Read the full article here
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Can experiential learning really be fun?
ASSAR Namibia's Bernadette Shalumbu looks at how experiential learning can help with a range of different hierarchies in workshops where positions of people sometimes need to be equal. Read the full article here
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What I learned and reflected on after spending a few days with ASSAR’s gender experts
Lucia Scodanibbio recounts what she has learned after a three-day writeshop with gender expertsRead the article here
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Solitary writing is great. Group writing is therapeutic
This is a short reflective piece about a recent collaborative writing workshop that actually entailed writing! Read the full article here
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Heads out of the sand
Daniel Morchain explores learning through multi-stakeholder collaboration.Read the full article here
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Writeshopping your way to writing together: thoughts on collaborative writing
Writing collaborative papers is never easy. On one hand, you’ve got a range of ideas, expertise, and disciplinary approaches to account for; on the other hand, (and sometimes less reported) you have different personalities, working styles, and levels of seniority to negotiate with and draw from. Some people like tables, others prefer flowcharts; some like detailed methodological sections, others want more focus on policy implications. And so on.Read the full article here
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Lessons, challenges and opportunities within ASSAR
Mark New, ASSAR Principal Investigator, looks at the many opportunities, lessons and challenges within ASSAR.Read the full article here
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Collaborative research as collaborative learning
Georgina Cundill Kemp shares her learning experiences on large-scale collaborative research. Collaborative research that involves many partners with diverse backgrounds and interests is challenging.Read the full article here
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The great ASSAR juggle: Reflections from ASSAR’s fourth annual meeting
ASSAR project coordinator Lucia Scodanibbio reflects on the recent 2017 annual meeting held in Ghana and the challenges that lie ahead.Read the full blog here
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A journey through Namibia: transformational lessons from an ASSAR rookie
Julia Davis, new to the ASSAR project, travels to Namibia for its second TSP workshop and recounts the experiences and lessons she learnt.Read the article here
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A brain overload
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Does power push knowledge when it comes to development in arid and semi-arid areas?
Ahead of 2017's World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Daniel Morchain from Oxfam GB looks at the different types of power that drive the acceptance of knowledge.Read the full article here
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What I learned from running three participatory scenario analysis workshops in the drylands of northern Kenya
Mark Tebboth from the University of East Anglia recounts his experiences running three Participatory Scenario Analysis (PSA) workshops in the drylands of northern Kenya. -
What have I learned in ASSAR? What have I not learned...
Lucia Scodanibbio looks back over two-and-a-half years of lessons learnt and notes three important dimensions.Read the full article here
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Unlearning and Learning: Reflections on our visit to Cape Town
Kavya Michael and Tanvi Deshpande from the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), visited Cape Town as part of the first ASSAR Small Opportunities Grant (ASOG).Read the full article here
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Lessons, challenges and opportunities within ASSAR
Mark New, ASSAR Principal Investigator, looks at the many opportunities, lessons and challenges within ASSAR.Read the full article here
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Breaking the silence on ASSAR
After a year and a half of project managing ASSAR Lucia Scodanibbio looks back and reflects. This blog appeared on ACDI's website on 14/12/2015.Read the full blog here
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ASSAR: management tips from the frontlines of a monster project
Lucia Scodanibbio gives insightful tips for managing a monster project like ASSAR. This blog first appeared on ACDI's website on 13/02/2017Read the full blog here
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An ASSAR event in South Africa shaped my career path
PhD student Alcade Segnon attended a two-week training event that changed the direction of his studies for good.Read the full article here
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Helping academics to put research into use
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Access to water and sanitation services on Bangalore’s peripheries: Research Reflections of an MSc student
Hannah Crichton-Smith gives her reflections on water and sanitation services on Bangalore’s peripheries. Read the full article here
Why does Chandapiew Molefe love her work?
What has Gina Ziervogel learned about research communications?