Book Review – Growing the next generation of research

Holness, L. 2015. Growing the next generation of researchers: a handbook for emerging researchers and their mentors. Claremont, CT: UCT Press, xxii, 258 pp.

Reviewed by: Sara Mitha, postgraduate librarian

This title is a valuable addition to the DUT Library collection of research methodology books particularly in light of its relevance and support for the second DUT strategic focus area – Building research and innovation for development. Given the number of emerging researchers at DUT, this title will be of great value to them and to the Institution’s research administration. Its message promotes awareness of the extent of emerging researcher needs and the importance of a supportive, enabling environment.

The book stems from the author’s many years of experience with the Emerging Researcher Programme at the University of Cape Town. It expands on an earlier co-authored work called the Emerging researcher: Nurturing passion, developing skills, producing output which was published in 2007 and which is also available from the DUT library.

The review on Amazon, recommends this book to “three primary readerships. It speaks first to institutions, and the imperative for institutional support in promoting research among junior staff members, sometimes requiring a shift in mind set and a prioritising of resources in order to be competitive as higher education institutions on the national and global platform. Second, it addresses those responsible for the task of mentoring new, young or inexperienced academics in developing their research capacity and igniting enthusiasm. Third, it is directed to emerging researchers themselves, identifying the skills required to produce sustained, quality research, and discussing strategies to do so”. Although the book draws largely on the experiences of one institution, it has relevance for the South African and Sub-Saharan African education environment.

Find Growing the next generation of researchers: a handbook for emerging researchers and their mentors at both the BM Patel and the Alan Pittendrigh Libraries at shelf number 001.4 DEG or place a hold for it if it is out on loan.