World-leading scholars. From the left are: Profs. Elaine Unterhalter, Monica Mclean, Alejandra Boni and Enrica Chiappero-Martinetti. Photo: Stephen Collett. 5 July 2012

The new research area on Higher Education and Human Development, led by Prof. Melanie Walker, recently hosted an international workshop and an innovative one day research seminar with world-leading scholars in the field.

At the research seminar, papers were presented by Prof. Alejandra Boni (Technical University of Valencia, Spain) on the human development university; Prof. Enrica Chiappero-Martinetti (University of Pavia, Italy) on human capital and human capabilities; Prof. Monica McLean (University of Nottingham, United Kingdom) on pedagogical rights and equality and Prof. Elaine Unterhalter (Institute of Education, United Kingdom) on gender and human development trade-offs.

Those present were invited to consider human development purposes for public universities in the 21st century and the implications that would follow for human capabilities development, curriculum and pedagogies, and diversity and inclusion.

Copies of the presentations can be obtained from Dr Sonja Loots at lootss@ufs.ac.za.