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This book leaves no stone unturned in its comprehensive examination of the complex challenges surrounding academic freedom in Africa.
Drawing on diverse perspectives and methodologies, it delves into the historical, philosophical, legal, and socio-political dimensions shaping academic freedom across the continent. The authors grapple with colonial legacies, tensions between Western and African notions of intellectual liberty, government authoritarianism, and institutional constraints that hinder open discourse and the pursuit of knowledge. The book highlights systemic obstacles and promising avenues for progress through case studies, comparative analysis, and empirical research, such as constitutional reforms, scholar activism, and regional networks. This thought-provoking volume offers critical insights into the state of academic freedom in Africa, emphasising the necessity of supporting African voices and agencies in the quest for meaningful intellectual autonomy.
Academic Freedom in Africa is an essential read for students, scholars, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the future of higher education and democracy on the continent.
List of contents
List of figures
List of contributors
Acknowledgements
Foreword by Blessings Chinsinga
Editorial by Yamikani Ndasauka and Garton Kamchedzera
Chapter 1. The Quest for Academic Freedom in Africa
Yamikani Ndasauka
Part 1. State Actors, Democracy and Academic Freedom
Chapter 2. Navigating Between Liberal and Communitarian Perspectives of Academic Freedom in Africa
Simon Makwinja, Grivas Kayange and Lawrence Mpekansambo
Chapter 3. Academic Freedom and Democracy in Africa
Hajer Kratou and Liisa Laakso
Chapter 4. Geopolitics and the Challenge of Academic Freedom in Africa
Uchenna Azubuike Ezeogu and Chinweuba, Gregory Emeka
Chapter 5. Theme-Rheme analysis and ideological representations in Malawian and Zambian online news reporting of Academic Freedom sagas
Mtende Wezi Nthara
Chapter 6. Questioning Academic Freedom Invocation in The Glenda Gray Controversy
Seán M. Muller
Part 2. Education Reforms vis-a-vis Academic freedom
Chapter 7. The Tensions, Contradictions, and Paradoxes of 'Entrepreneurial University' Reforms and Academic Freedom
Happy Mickson Kayuni
Chapter 8. Problematising Academic Freedom in Nigerian Universities
Lucky O. Akaruese
Chapter 9. African Indigenous Pedagogies as a Key Driver for Academic Freedom
Patrick Juma and Jerry Rutsateb
Chapter 10. Conviviality in Journalism Studies and Academic Freedom
Mwaona Nyirongo
Chapter 11. Professionalism and the Discourse of Academic Freedom in Higher Education Institutions: Evidence from Malawi and Japan
Foster Gondwe and Masayasu Sakaguchi
Chapter 12. A Dilemma Regarding Academic Freedom and Public Accountability in Higher Education
Thaddeus Metz
Part 3. Reflections on Malawi's 2011 Academic Freedom Movement
Chapter 13. Police Handling of Academic Freedom Impasse and Students with Disabilities in Malawi
Elizabeth T. Kamchedzera
Chapter 14: The Academic Freedom Struggle as a Test of Employee Commitment at the University of Malawi
Tiyesere Mercy Chikapa- Jamali
Chapter 15. Metaphorisation of Colour Red During the Academic Freedom Saga in Malawi
Timwa Lipenga
Chapter 16. Rhetorical Analysis of Slogans in the Struggle for Academic Freedom in Malawi
Anthony Mavuto Gunde
Chapter 17. Battle Lines in Africa's Struggle on Academic Freedom
Garton Kamchedzera
Index
About the author
Yamikani Ndasauka is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Malawi. He holds visiting and senior research positions at the Centre for Philosophy of Epidemiology, Medicine, and Public Health at Durham University and the University of Johannesburg.
Garton Kamchedzera is an Associate Professor at the University of Malawi. He has been Dean for three terms (1999-2001, 2001-2003, and 2016-2018) at the Faculty of Law, University of Malawi. As a legal educationist and scholar, he has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the Universities of Malawi, Cambridge, Warwick, and Ghent. As a researcher and legal and development consultant, he has also researched, consulted, and trained judicial and other public and private officials. He was guest editor for the
East African Law Journal and editor-in-chief of the
Journal of Law and Social Justice.
Summary
This book leaves no stone unturned in its comprehensive examination of the complex challenges surrounding academic freedom in Africa.
