Programme de bourses "Echanges Universitaires"

Abstract - Research Fellowship of Nick Shepherd

From January to June 2009, Prof. Nick Shepherd of the Centre of African Studies of the University of Cape Town was visiting fellow at the University of Basel. The fellowship was co-organised by the Programme for Science Studies and the Centre for African Studies of the University of Basel.

At the core of the ongoing collaboration between the South African and Swiss partners is a methodologically innovative conjunction between the fields of African Studies and Science & Technology Studies. Collaboration at the intersection of these two research fields may lead to new conceptual ways of understanding the rapidly changing dynamics involved in the international movement of science and technology in a globalised world and its public sphere(s).The fellowship aimed at (1) further developing joint research projects, (2) fostering collaboration between the institutions and programmes involved, (3) providing a platform for the write-up of a monograph by Prof. Nick Shepherd and (4) involving him in the teaching of two courses at the University of Basel.

The seminar Science and Society in the Postcolony was concerned with the question of what happens when science and technology are re-located into contexts they had not originally or explicitly been intended for. The second course Rethinking the City, Remaking the Self was run in the context of the joint research theme Living the City, which is being developed at the Centre for African Studies Basel around the issue of urbanisation in Africa. It was geared to MA students and dealt with issues of space, memory and identity in the post-apartheid city.

The visit of Prof. Shepherd was not only of special interest with regard to developing the research project Living the City but also with a general view to consolidating African Studies in Basel. Prof. Shepherd participated in workshops and discussions concerned with the further development of this field of teaching and research at the University of Basel.

Project partners:

Prof. Nick Shepherd
Centre for African Studies
University of Cape Town
Private Bag
7701 Rondebosch
South Africa
E-Mail: nick.shepherd@uct.ac.za
http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/cas/

Dr. Veit Arlt
Centre for African Studies
Universität Basel
Steinengraben 5
CH-4051 Basel
E-Mail: veit.arlt@unibas.ch
http://zasb.unibas.ch

Dr. Alexandra Hofmänner
Programme for Science Studies
University of Basel
Missionsstr. 21
CH-4003 Basel
E-Mail:alexandra.hofmaenner@unibas.ch
http://wifo.unibas.ch/