The purpose of all the presentations in week one is much clearer to me now. Professor Gevers gave a very good overview of the mechnics of the knowledge creation process. All the other lectures fitted in by giving detailed accounts of "research journey's" in various fields. While learning something new from each of them, what I found most remarkable was the passion they all showed when they spoke about their research. The lesson thatI think we can all learn from this is that when we begin our individual research support journeys in our institutions we should be passionate about what we do. That pasion and enthusiasm, will definately rubb off on our colleagues in the library and hopefully academics and we shall well be on our way to making a difference!
It was interesting to hear from Andrew how academics who are applying for NRF rating sometimes battle to put together their profiles. That is one area where we can assist lecturers.
Equally interesting were the disagreements on certain issues- open access, the orthodox research methodologies followed by most presenters as opposed to Prof Foster's critical stance on existing theories of knowlegde and knowing. The lesson for me? We are very like to encounter these contradictions as we engage with academics in our institutions and I am better equiped now to deal with them.
The statement which keeps coming back to my mind? "You are more needed as librarians than you appreciate??? know???" Dr David Cooper. Help can't recall the exact words now.
We definitely have a role to play!
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