Southern Theory and Academic Knowledge Production: Reflections from Thailand
Centre for Education Studies (CES) & Global Research Priorities in International Development (GRP-ID) Seminar
Friday 21 June
12:30 - 14:00
CES, Social Sciences, Room C1.11
Please register your place for this seminar below.
Light refreshments will be available
Seminar chaired by Professor Ann Stewart, Warwick Law School & GRP in International Development Co-lead
In this seminar Dr James Burford and Dr Adisorn Juntrasook will introduce how they have applied the concept of 'Southern Theory' in recent work on the geopolitics of knowledge production. In their thinking together, James and Adisorn have explored how global concerns about epistemological justice play out in the context of Thai higher education, a country with a 'semicolonial' history. They demonstrate the effects of the English domination of academic publishing on Thai academics, and illuminate how Southern attempts to subvert Western knowledge production can be (mis)interpreted as failure to measure up to 'international' norms (as defined in the Global North). In this seminar, James and Adisorn hope to offer plenty of questions and some ways forward as we look toward a more democratic and inclusive global system of knowledge production. The discussant of this seminar will be Professor Elaine Unterhalter.
Dr James Burford, has worked as a Lecturer in Learning Sciences and Education at Thammasat University and as a Research Fellow in the school of Contemplative Education at Mahidol University. James’ research field is higher education. His research areas include academic writing pedagogies, academic conferences and questions of educational equity related to sexuality, gender and fat embodiment. His most recent research project is focused on academic mobility to countries in the Global South, with a particular interest in the experiences of academic expatriates working in Thailand.
Dr Adisorn Juntrasook does research in Social Theory, Qualitative Social Research and Transformative and Inclusive Education. His research projects include 'Innovations in Ethics Development: Case Studies from Various Cultural Settings', 'Discrimination and Exclusion of LGBTI Individuals in Thailand' and 'Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.'
Professor Elaine Unterhalter has a major interest in the capability approach and its application to addressing issues in education and social development. She has coordinated a number of research projects on gender and education in a number of African and South Asian countries, working with multi-lateral, and bi-lateral organisations and international NGOs. She is currently working with colleagues in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
This seminar has been supported by Warwick Institute of Advanced Studies.
To view the poster please click here.