UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
College of Education
⋄
ACTIVIST EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Responding to Epistemicide, Ontocide, Linguisticide,
Culturcide and Scholasticide
⋄
Module: RSE4801
Essay Title: Activist Educational Research in Times of
Crisis
Assignment No.: 1
Due Date: 15 May 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for
Education Research at the University of South Africa.
, UNISA | EDU — Activist Educational Research Activist Researcher in Times of Crisis
1. Introduction
Becoming a researcher in education is not only about learning methods or collecting data. It
is a personal and ethical journey that shapes how a person understands the world and their
role within it. Research in education is closely linked to issues of power, inequality and social
transformation. In this context, the idea of an activist researcher becomes important. An
activist researcher does not remain neutral but engages critically with educational realities in
order to challenge injustice and contribute to change.
Smith (2012) argues in Decolonizing Methodologies that research has historically operated
as a tool of domination, particularly against indigenous communities. This raises urgent
questions about whose knowledge gets counted and whose voices get silenced or dismissed.
In a world facing overlapping crises – epistemicide, culturcide and scholasticide – research
cannot be separated from ethical responsibility.
This essay discusses what constitutes an activist researcher of education and the role such a
researcher can play in times of crisis. It argues that educational research should not only pro-
duce knowledge but also intervene in unjust systems and promote more humane, inclusive
forms of education.
Page 1 of 9
College of Education
⋄
ACTIVIST EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Responding to Epistemicide, Ontocide, Linguisticide,
Culturcide and Scholasticide
⋄
Module: RSE4801
Essay Title: Activist Educational Research in Times of
Crisis
Assignment No.: 1
Due Date: 15 May 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for
Education Research at the University of South Africa.
, UNISA | EDU — Activist Educational Research Activist Researcher in Times of Crisis
1. Introduction
Becoming a researcher in education is not only about learning methods or collecting data. It
is a personal and ethical journey that shapes how a person understands the world and their
role within it. Research in education is closely linked to issues of power, inequality and social
transformation. In this context, the idea of an activist researcher becomes important. An
activist researcher does not remain neutral but engages critically with educational realities in
order to challenge injustice and contribute to change.
Smith (2012) argues in Decolonizing Methodologies that research has historically operated
as a tool of domination, particularly against indigenous communities. This raises urgent
questions about whose knowledge gets counted and whose voices get silenced or dismissed.
In a world facing overlapping crises – epistemicide, culturcide and scholasticide – research
cannot be separated from ethical responsibility.
This essay discusses what constitutes an activist researcher of education and the role such a
researcher can play in times of crisis. It argues that educational research should not only pro-
duce knowledge but also intervene in unjust systems and promote more humane, inclusive
forms of education.
Page 1 of 9
