Research

2017–2018

This study examines refugee and asylum-seeker representative structures, their legitimacy and representativeness, and the ways community-based protection and self-help initiatives function. It also seeks guidance directly from refugees and asylum seekers to help shape a stronger community representation and engagement model in South Africa.

Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Musina, Port Elizabeth

A full report with recommendations for a community representation and engagement model in South Africa.

Prof Mulugeta F. Dinbabo, Prof Yanga Zembe, Dr Sharon Penderis, Mr Sergio Carciotto, Dr Chris Nshimbi, Dr Vanya Gastrow, with several postgraduate researchers from UWC and UP.

2017

Conducting data management and statistical analysis for migration-related research in selected sub-Saharan African countries. The work contributed to two main outputs: an atlas and a working paper.

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Prof Mulugeta F. Dinbabo and Mr Michael Nguatem Belebema.

2015–2016

This study explored the relationship between food choices and BMI in adults and children in South Africa, using both secondary data and fieldwork. It looked at what people consumed in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, what shaped their food choices, and how those choices related to health perceptions and actual BMI.

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Prof Mulugeta F. Dinbabo, Dr Abdulrazak Karriem, Dr Sharon Penderis, Prof Julian May, Prof Christopher Fulcher, and several postgraduate students.

Income, food cost, accessibility, availability, culture, taste, familiarity, knowledge, social setting, time constraints, religion, and travel distance to buy food.

2015–2016

Evaluating migration datasets and developing migration models for the Western Cape Province to better understand migration trends and support social development planning.

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Dr Mulugeta F. Dinbabo, Prof Abdulrazak Karriem, Dr Sharon Penderis, Dr Susan Ziehl, Dr Yves Semegni, with postgraduate student involvement.

2014–2015

Part of a broader initiative to develop a Western Cape Network Readiness Index and assess broadband rollout impacts in Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, and Saldanha Bay.

Phases included:

1. Methodology development and data availability

2. Creation of a Network Readiness Index baseline

3. Impact assessment of broadband initiatives

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A consortium including UWC and UCT. UWC was represented by Prof Julian May, Dr Mulugeta Dinbabo, and Ms Jacqueline Tamri.

2012–2013

Assessing the value and cost-effectiveness of census-taking, while also informing future census planning and improving dissemination and use of census results.

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Prof Julian May, Dr Mulugeta Dinbabo, and Ms Jacquiline Tamri.

Collaboration:

A joint project between ISD and the Department of Statistics, Northwestern University.

2012–2013

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Prof Julian May and Ms Winnie Sambu.

2012–2013

Building research capacity by linking emerging African researchers with experienced scholars from developed and developing countries to strengthen ICT and development research.

Role:

Africa coordinator

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Prof Julian May and Ms Kathleen Diga.

Nanyang University of Technology and Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.

Funding: IDRC.

2012–2013:

Identifying gaps, strengths, and weaknesses in children’s rights research and helping shape a stronger global research agenda grounded in rights-based approaches.

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Dr Mulugeta Dinbabo.

Child Watch International and CODESRIA.

2012–2013

Investigating how housing mobilisations operate, the outcomes they produce, and their broader role in struggles to democratise the city.

Case focus: Abahlali base Mjondolo in Cape Town

Cape Town

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Dr Abdulrazak Karriem, in collaboration with ISD master’s students.

UWC Research Fund.

2012–2013

Reviewing secondary data and administrative records to analyse public finance allocations, employment numbers, and monitoring and evaluation findings across two key public works programmes in South Africa.

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Prof Julian May and Dr Leon Pretorius.

2012–2013

Supporting capacity building and travel for emerging researchers in developing countries.

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Prof Julian May and Ms Jacqui Tamri.

IDRC.