Page 17 - Research & Innovation Report 2020

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Although most of the researchers were positive about digital They also noted that workdays seemed to be longer, as they were
transformation at their institutions, some of them indicated that always connected and available online. This lack of boundaries
they did not have the necessary skills to fully utilise and benefit resulted in feelings of being overwhelmed and digital fatigue. In
from these developments. They were not regularly engaged with addition, not being able to see colleagues and engage with them
these technologies, nor facilitated with supportive environments in person left a void. Several participants expressed hope that their
for their use. institutions would do more to create an environment that considers
and promotes wellness and well-being alongside digitalisation,
The rapid growth in the use of ICTs and digital technologies has both in policy and practice.
also been accompanied by various risks, emphasising the issue
of digital safety and ethics. Most of those consulted reported not Recommendations
having cybersecurity support from their institutions. However,
they protected their devices using strong security systems, mostly The study made the following recommendations:
through their own initiatives.
• Digital transformation needs to be comprehensively integrated
A key outcome of the study was that digitalisation had created into university policies, plans and strategies;
increased flexibility and access to research opportunities. It • Institutions need to invest in ICT infrastructure and digital
enabled them to find viable solutions to perennial research platforms to enhance the quality of teaching and learning and
challenges such as the high cost of conducting research, to support early career researchers in their endeavours;
especially reaching out to key informants located far away. This • Provision of comprehensive support, training and development
highlighted the need to review data collection protocols and opportunities for all researchers in a rapidly digitalising space
processes and align them to the new realities of doing research is essential in harnessing the opportunities offered through use
online and via digital platforms. of technologies; and
• Research on digitalisation in higher education should be
The focus group discussions highlighted that moving research work prioritised, with specific focus on:
online required development of specific skills for independent – Development of hybrid models for in-person and digital
work. Participants agreed that a significant number of their peers research activities;
and postgraduate students were struggling with the shift to online – Academic, pedagogical and research use of digital
education during the pandemic due to mental health, well-being technologies for research;
and emotional challenges. For some participants, working online – Research approaches for the digital space; and
or via digital platforms seemed to be non-stop, without a break. – Digital research design and methods.

Huba Boshoff Dr Samuel Bosire

| 15
|15