Beyond the Grant: The Creative Research Lab - Redefining knowledge through the Power of Art
In a time when South African academia is actively questioning inherited knowledge systems and seeking transformative
approaches to research, The Creative Research Lab stands out as a groundbreaking force. This bold initiative, spearheaded by
Dr. Refiloe Lepere and supported by the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS), places artistic practice
at the heart of intellectual inquiry, challenging long-held distinctions between theory and practice. Speaking on the foundational
philosophy of the project, Dr. Lepere emphasised that artistic expression is not merely a supplement to academic research but is,
in itself, a legitimate and rigorous research methodology. She noted that artistic practice should be recognised as a form of
research in its own right, asserting that the integration of creative methods offers new ways of knowing, understanding, and
engaging with the world.