Dear colleagues,
We cordially invite you to attend the Institute Seminar entitled “Student Wellbeing in the Context of Violence: A Qualitative Study of the 2015/16 South African Student Movement and its Aftermath“, where we will welcome a guest Angelina Wilson Fadiji from University of Pretoria, South Africa.
The seminar will take place online. If you are interested in participating, please fill out the simple form: https://forms.gle/VyJLLa7kepD81Yy19
On the day of the seminar, you will be sent Zoom meeting access details. The maximum number of participants outside of the institute is 50 persons.
Link to the facebook event: https://fb.me/e/2VIeBwNYl
Student Wellbeing in the Context of Violence: A Qualitative Study of the 2015/16 South African Student Movement and its Aftermath
Angelina Wilson Fadiji, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Monday 14.11. 2022, 14:00 – 15:30 CET, online
Violent student movements in South African higher education spaces have become a continuous occurrence; however, how student wellbeing might manifest, how it is experienced and what resources students can draw upon when finding themselves at the centre of violence on campus are issues that require further exploration. The aim of this research is to increase our understanding of students‘ experiences of wellbeing during the 2015/16 South African student movement and the resources that fostered psychological wellbeing during and in the aftermath of their experience of violence on campus. Using a photovoice methodology across four universities in South Africa, a sample of (N =27; females = 10) were purposively selected. Student psychological functioning in the midst of adverse circumstances is demonstrated in their ability to make meaning through knowledge spaces, experience inner harmony, have a sense of purpose, and protect symbolic spaces of hope. It is also shown in their courage to challenge spaces of oppression. This study suggests that the co-production of social spaces for functioning occurs through an important psychological process of meaning making that provides direction for student movement activities. Given our findings, it is necessary for student affairs and counselling services to ensure that during and in the aftermath of violent experiences, students continually feel safe, wanted, connected, hopeful and able to make sense of the evolving higher education space.