TY - JOUR AU - Mohlala, Pheladi Junior AU - Msimango-Galawe, Jabulile PY - 2021/12/08 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Social Innovation in the Academic Curricula of Chemical Science Degrees in South Africa JF - International Journal of African Higher Education JA - IJAHE VL - 8 IS - 3 SE - Articles DO - 10.6017/ijahe.v8i3.14161 UR - https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/ijahe/article/view/14161 SP - 46-72 AB - <p>Social innovation is growing internationally and is a focus area for sub-<br>Saharan Africa. While studies have been conducted on the factors that<br>contribute to the failure to incorporate social innovation in academic curricula,<br>there is a paucity of such research in the South African context, especially in<br>relation to university curricula. This qualitative study explored chemical<br>scientists’ perceptions on the interventions required to introduce social<br>innovation to the academic curricula of the chemical science degree in<br>South African universities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted<br>with 14 chemical scientists and the data was analysed using thematic<br>analysis. The key findings included the overall lack of awareness and<br>understanding of social innovation and the social challenges confronting<br>South Africa. These factors hamper the development of sustainable<br>academic curricula, effective community engagement and societal change.<br>Furthermore, academic institutions’ reluctance to embrace change is cause<br>for concern.</p><p><br>Key words: Social innovation, chemical sciences, academic curriculum,<br>South African universities</p> ER -