From Left: Prof. McNiff and Prof. Beylefeld at the workshop Photo: Lize du Plessis

Prof. Jean McNiff from the Department of Education at the York St. John University in the United Kingdom (UK) recently paid a highly successful visit to the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof. McNiff is a world-famous action researcher and has published nineteen books. She holds professorial positions at various universities across the world, including the position of Visiting Professor at the Ningxia Teachers' University in the People's Republic of China.

Staff members from the Faculty of Education attended a seminar presented by Prof. McNiff to introduce them to the methodology and conventions of action research.

According to Prof. Adri Beylefeld, Teaching and Learning manager at the faculty, action research is increasingly recognised as a rigorous research methodology. It can enhance the professional development of educators as they study their own practice with the purpose of improving the learning of students.

Prof. McNiff also presented a workshop to staff members of the UFS, titled “Using our educational responsibilities to transform our violent histories into life-affirming futures”.
– Lize du Plessis