International fieldschool reciprocity: using a whole-of-university approach to create positive change in Northern Uganda
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Date
2019-04-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
International field schools to developing countries have become an important component of the university curriculum because they provide experiential learning and research skills, while also contributing a range of soft skills such as resilience, empathy, resourcefulness, critical thinking, and cross-cultural communication. Yet, with the increasing popularity of ‘developing world’ field schools, an ever-more pertinent question to ask is, cui bono? Who benefits when relatively ‘privileged’ students from wealthy countries travel to visit ‘underprivileged’ communities in poorer parts of the world? In this article, we contribute to the discussion about field school reciprocity using data from a newly established program in Northern Uganda, established as part of the University of New South Wales’ UNSW2025 strategy. We show that a whole-of-university approach has significant benefits for staff and students from both institutions, more diffuse benefits for the wider Ugandan host community, as well as the potential to create synergies to leverage community transformation. We also look at challenges that include: power differentials, uncertainty in the field environment, sustainability, and the ability to maintain collaborative equity between institutions over the long term.
Description
Keywords
Educational development, African higher education, internationalisation, community engagement
Citation
Munro, P. G., Bartlett, A. L., Dhizaala, J. T., Laloyo, S. A., Oswin, S. O., & Walker, S. (2019). International fieldschool reciprocity: using a whole-of-university approach to create positive change in Northern Uganda. Higher Education Research & Development, 38(7), 1461-1474.