When asked what inspired her to pursue a PhD,
Dr Karen Venter, Head of the Division of Service Learning in the
Directorate Community Engagement at the University of the Free State (UFS),
said she wanted to make a difference in addressing societal challenges through the practice of engaged scholarship in community-university research partnerships for the common good.
“Also, I love to learn and share knowledge – and that is exactly what I did in this PhD, titled: An integrated service-learning praxis approach for flourishment of professional development in community-higher education partnerships.”
She explains, “My five-articles-style thesis explored the contribution of an integrated service-learning praxis approach towards the flourishment of engaged scholarship in community-higher education partnerships. The approach combined community
engaged service-learning (CESL), appreciative inquiry and appreciative leadership, to advance the praxis of engaged scholarship. The study was demarcated in the field of higher education, applied in the discipline of nursing education, and contextually
bound to three interrelated action research cycles and settings – for international, national, and local level engagement.”
Community members participate in the research journey
“The intent of the study was to recognise the community-led action learning of community member participants at the core action learning set,” says Dr Venter.
The study followed a participatory action learning and action research methodology. During her research journey, she was joined by members of the community, specifically from Bloemshelter – a shelter for the homeless. “They co-constructed
and completed a four-year community-led action learning pathway to holistic development (spiritual, personal, professional), which brought about holistic social change and well-being in their livelihood, moving from dependence on others to establishing
viable multiple micro-enterprises,” she says.
The UFS affiliated with GULL to reward the community member participants’ action learning. “Already in 2019, GULL certified their action learning with a Professional Bachelor’s degree, while I still had to document the action research,
and only now received the PhD,” says Dr Venter.
“I am grateful to all the participants who co-created action-oriented knowledge with me in the study, from international, to national, to local level of engagement.”
Integrating a PhD with work and life
A PhD requires a lot of hard work and effort, to the point that the lines between studies, work, and life become blurred. Dr Venter acknowledged that she tried to balance work/life and study, but “I was not very good at it”.
Passion, patience, peace, perseverance, positivity, and prayer are good principles to maintain when you are in the process of completing a PhD. – Dr Karen Venter
She elaborates, “Studying became an integrated part of my work and life. For the duration of my studies, I started working at 03:00 and I also did not watch any television.” She did, however, make time for herself by joining the wellness
workout programme presented by the UFS, enjoyed gardening, and playing with her grandchildren. “I also tried to rest one day over weekends, and made time to praise and worship, which energised me for the next week,” she adds.
“Passion, patience, peace, perseverance, positivity, and prayer are good principles to maintain when you are in the process of completing a PhD, she believes.
Dr Venter says that although writing a PhD is indeed lonely, it is also an exciting journey, “especially when you reach those moments of breakthrough that can only come to life after deep reflection.” She also describes it as a deep spiritual
journey. “Almost like walking in and out of a labyrinth – and where many hours become equal to a breath.
She is very grateful to her supervisors, Dr Somarie Holtzhausen, Prof Mabel Erasmus, and Dr Elanie Myburgh. “I deeply honour and salute you for your unconditional and continuous coaching, compassion, and care – guiding, supporting, motivating,
mentoring, and keeping me grounded until I completed the journey.”