Behind the Scenes of the Designing for Social Justice Partnership Short Course

In the corridors of the University of Cape Town's CILT, where ideas emerge and are contested, there exists a unique space where passion meets purpose: the Designing for Social Justice Partnership. As we inch closer to the eagerly anticipated short course planned for April 2024, the air is charged with anticipation, excitement, and a healthy dose of organised chaos.

Our journey towards this momentous event recently culminated in an intense workshop, where students took the reins as facilitators, guiding discussions that ranged from project progress to the emotional well-being of our team. Words like "excited," "messy but organised," "understanding", "connected", "tensions" and "overwhelming" danced amidst the exchanges, painting a vivid picture of the diverse emotions coursing through our collective consciousness. These were placed using Healey's pyramid of engagement. 

Healey's pyramid of engagement

One cannot overstate the significance of these moments of introspection. In the fast-paced world of project management, it's easy to get swept away by deadlines and getting the project off the ground. Yet, pausing to acknowledge our feelings, our uncertainties, and our triumphs allows us to cultivate a deeper sense of connection and resilience as a team. Moreover, amidst the ebb and flow of our journey, we welcomed two new researchers into our team. Their fresh perspectives will take the project to further heights.

As the countdown to the short course ticks away, we find ourselves standing at the precipice of possibility. Each discussion, each decision, each moment of vulnerability has brought us closer to realising our shared vision. And while the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, we face it with a steadfast determination to make a meaningful impact on Student-Staff partnerships and co-creation.

We look forward to the final planning days. There will be bumps along the way but it is a journey of testing the grounds and cultivating it.