This book leaves no stone unturned in its comprehensive examination of the complex challenges surrounding academic freedom in Africa.
Drawing on diverse perspectives and methodologies, it delves into the historical, philosophical, legal, and socio-political dimensions shaping academic freedom across the continent. The authors grapple with colonial legacies, tensions between Western and African notions of intellectual liberty, government authoritarianism, and institutional constraints that hinder open discourse and the pursuit of knowledge. The book highlights systemic obstacles and promising avenues for progress through case studies, comparative analysis, and empirical research, such as constitutional reforms, scholar activism, and regional networks. This thought-provoking volume offers critical insights into the state of academic freedom in Africa, emphasising the necessity of supporting African voices and agencies in the quest for meaningful intellectual autonomy.
Academic Freedom in Africa is an essential read for students, scholars, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the future of higher education and democracy on the continent.
Edited by:
Yamikani Ndasauka (University of Malawi Malawi),
Garton Kamchedzera
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Weight: 716g
ISBN: 9781032850467
ISBN 10: 1032850469
Pages: 284
Publication Date: 14 October 2024
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
List of figures List of contributors Acknowledgements Foreword by Blessings Chinsinga Editorial by Yamikani Ndasauka and Garton Kamchedzera Chapter 1. The Quest for Academic Freedom in Africa Yamikani Ndasauka Part 1. State Actors, Democracy and Academic Freedom Chapter 2. Navigating Between Liberal and Communitarian Perspectives of Academic Freedom in Africa Simon Makwinja, Grivas Kayange and Lawrence Mpekansambo Chapter 3. Academic Freedom and Democracy in Africa Hajer Kratou and Liisa Laakso Chapter 4. Geopolitics and the Challenge of Academic Freedom in Africa Uchenna Azubuike Ezeogu and Chinweuba, Gregory Emeka Chapter 5. Theme-Rheme analysis and ideological representations in Malawian and Zambian online news reporting of Academic Freedom sagas Mtende Wezi Nthara Chapter 6. Questioning Academic Freedom Invocation in The Glenda Gray Controversy Seán M. Muller Part 2. Education Reforms vis-a-vis Academic freedom Chapter 7. The Tensions, Contradictions, and Paradoxes of 'Entrepreneurial University' Reforms and Academic Freedom Happy Mickson Kayuni Chapter 8. Problematising Academic Freedom in Nigerian Universities Lucky O. Akaruese Chapter 9. African Indigenous Pedagogies as a Key Driver for Academic Freedom Patrick Juma and Jerry Rutsateb Chapter 10. Conviviality in Journalism Studies and Academic Freedom Mwaona Nyirongo Chapter 11. Professionalism and the Discourse of Academic Freedom in Higher Education Institutions: Evidence from Malawi and Japan Foster Gondwe and Masayasu Sakaguchi Chapter 12. A Dilemma Regarding Academic Freedom and Public Accountability in Higher Education Thaddeus Metz Part 3. Reflections on Malawi's 2011 Academic Freedom Movement Chapter 13. Police Handling of Academic Freedom Impasse and Students with Disabilities in Malawi Elizabeth T. Kamchedzera Chapter 14: The Academic Freedom Struggle as a Test of Employee Commitment at the University of Malawi Tiyesere Mercy Chikapa- Jamali Chapter 15. Metaphorisation of Colour Red During the Academic Freedom Saga in Malawi Timwa Lipenga Chapter 16. Rhetorical Analysis of Slogans in the Struggle for Academic Freedom in Malawi Anthony Mavuto Gunde Chapter 17. Battle Lines in Africa’s Struggle on Academic Freedom Garton Kamchedzera Index
Yamikani Ndasauka is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Malawi. He holds visiting and senior research positions at the Centre for Philosophy of Epidemiology, Medicine, and Public Health at Durham University and the University of Johannesburg. Garton Kamchedzera is an Associate Professor at the University of Malawi. He has been Dean for three terms (1999–2001, 2001–2003, and 2016–2018) at the Faculty of Law, University of Malawi. As a legal educationist and scholar, he has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the Universities of Malawi, Cambridge, Warwick, and Ghent. As a researcher and legal and development consultant, he has also researched, consulted, and trained judicial and other public and private officials. He was guest editor for the East African Law Journal and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law and Social Justice.
