The Role of Academic Researcher Coaching in Enhancing Innovation and Knowledge Production in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa

Abstract

Perhaps the most significant global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is that it has catalysed accelerated innovation and change across various sectors. Businesses have had to pivot and innovate to survive in the “new normal”, medical and health care industries have had to adapt rapidly in order to stay ahead of the growing global health crisis brought on by the pandemic, and governments have had to think out of the box to manage the political, social and economic challenges engendered by Covid-19. Amidst all of this, the Higher Education sector has also been forced to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic. In the South African context, innovation in higher education has focused mostly on teaching and learning, specifically the accelerated shift from traditional face-to-face teaching to the use of online learning platforms. However, what has been neglected is innovation in knowledge production and research. This article explores the role of academic researcher coaching as a support mechanism to enhance innovation and knowledge production through postgraduate academic research. It is argued that academic researcher coaching will become an increasingly valuable tool to provide holistic support to researchers, and that complements the traditional research supervisor role.