Richard Ennals on Self-Determination, Democratic Participation, Empowerment and Action Research.

Congratulations to Dr. Richard Ennals who writes to tell us…

 

On 24th January 2020 I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) at Kazimieras Simonavicius University in Lithuania, following my 30 years of association with Lithuania. This dated from the years of the struggle for independence. The ceremony and my acceptance speech were reported in The Baltic Times for 28th January – 25th February 2020.

 

In my speech I took the unifying theme of Self-Determination, at the levels of individuals, groups and nations, and in the workplace. People like to feel that they are in control of their destinies. I argued for the importance of Action Research, as we explore alternative ways forward in universities, industry and society.

 

Following my speech, new collaboration is now developing between Kazimieras Simonavicius University and the Industrial PhD Program in Action Research at Sabanci University in Turkey, with Lithuanian students joining the AR PhD program.. There is a shared commitment to university transformation.  A major conference will be held in Vilnius on 13th March, in the week when we will celebrate 30 years of regained independence for Lithuania.

 

In South Africa, on 1st February 2020, a new research unit was established in the Centre for African Studies at the University of Cape Town. Action Research is an important part of work to recover a pre-colonial approach to knowledge. South African students are joining the Sabanci AR PhD program, and developing international collaborations across the Global South.

 

Events are moving fast in Action Research! The Action Research Methodologies course at Sabanci University begins on 4th February 2020, with students also participating from Turkey, Brazil and Nepal. Faculty are international, including from Brazil, USA, UK, Norway, Netherlands and India. For details, contact baburoglu@sabanciuniv.edu

 

 

Richard Ennals