HOPEACADEMY
RSE4801
Assignment 1
Open date: Wednesday, 1 April 2026, 08:00
Due date: Due: Friday, 15 May 2026, 23:59
2026
In light of this, you are required to write an essay of about 2000 – 3000
words in which you discuss what you think (1) constitutes an activist
researcher of education, and (2) what role do you think such a
researcher can play in a time of crisis characterised by many genocides
including epistemicide, ontocide, linguisticide, culturcide and
scholasticide.
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
, RSE4801 Assignment 1
Open date: Wednesday, 1 April 2026, 08:00
Due date: Due: Friday, 15 May 2026, 23:59
Lecturer for Assign 1: Prof Paul Maluleka
Learning Unit 1: Becoming an educational researcher
Assignment question
In light of this, you are required to write an essay of about 2000 – 3000
words in which you discuss what you think (1) constitutes an activist
researcher of education, and (2) what role do you think such a
researcher can play in a time of crisis characterised by many genocides
including epistemicide, ontocide, linguisticide, culturcide and
scholasticide.
Educational research plays an important role in understanding and
improving teaching, learning, and educational systems. Traditionally,
research has been seen as a neutral activity where researchers collect and
analyse data to produce knowledge. However, in recent years, there has
been a shift towards viewing research as a tool for social change. This has
led to the idea of the activist researcher, especially in education. An activist
researcher does not only study problems but also works to challenge
injustice and bring transformation.
In today’s world, education exists in a time of crisis. These crises include not
only physical violence such as genocide, but also less visible forms of
destruction like epistemicide (destruction of knowledge systems), ontocide
(destruction of ways of being), linguisticide (loss of languages), culturcide
(destruction of cultures), and scholasticide (destruction of education
systems). These crises affect how people learn, what knowledge is valued,
RSE4801
Assignment 1
Open date: Wednesday, 1 April 2026, 08:00
Due date: Due: Friday, 15 May 2026, 23:59
2026
In light of this, you are required to write an essay of about 2000 – 3000
words in which you discuss what you think (1) constitutes an activist
researcher of education, and (2) what role do you think such a
researcher can play in a time of crisis characterised by many genocides
including epistemicide, ontocide, linguisticide, culturcide and
scholasticide.
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
, RSE4801 Assignment 1
Open date: Wednesday, 1 April 2026, 08:00
Due date: Due: Friday, 15 May 2026, 23:59
Lecturer for Assign 1: Prof Paul Maluleka
Learning Unit 1: Becoming an educational researcher
Assignment question
In light of this, you are required to write an essay of about 2000 – 3000
words in which you discuss what you think (1) constitutes an activist
researcher of education, and (2) what role do you think such a
researcher can play in a time of crisis characterised by many genocides
including epistemicide, ontocide, linguisticide, culturcide and
scholasticide.
Educational research plays an important role in understanding and
improving teaching, learning, and educational systems. Traditionally,
research has been seen as a neutral activity where researchers collect and
analyse data to produce knowledge. However, in recent years, there has
been a shift towards viewing research as a tool for social change. This has
led to the idea of the activist researcher, especially in education. An activist
researcher does not only study problems but also works to challenge
injustice and bring transformation.
In today’s world, education exists in a time of crisis. These crises include not
only physical violence such as genocide, but also less visible forms of
destruction like epistemicide (destruction of knowledge systems), ontocide
(destruction of ways of being), linguisticide (loss of languages), culturcide
(destruction of cultures), and scholasticide (destruction of education
systems). These crises affect how people learn, what knowledge is valued,
