Water history and transdisciplinarity: a South African perspective

Abstract

In the article attention is given to recent developments in the field of water history at North-West University in South Africa, where transdisciplinary research strategies have been incorporated into research programmes on contemporary problems experienced in the country’s water sector. The initial focus on water history gradually shifts to water studies and how interdisciplinary research and the exponential growth of scientific knowledge has opened up space for the emergence of transdisciplinary research. There is a discussion on the research undertaken by members of the Research Niche Area for the Cultural Dynamics of Water (CuDyWat) at the university and an outline of some of the group’s completed research reports. The potential value of current research is also examined.

Keywords: water studies; South Africa; water sector; water history; transdisciplinary research

Disciplines: History; water studies; transdisciplinary.