The pilot workshop for the AAPS case study research and publication project was held from 3 to 5 February 2010, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The proceedings were facilitated by Prof Bent Flyvbjerg (Oxford University) and Dr Fred Lerise (GTZ/Ardhi University). Participants were drawn from a diverse profile of AAPS member countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania.
Other participants included Prof Jorgen Andreassen (Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts), Dr Tumsifu Nnkya (Tanzanian Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements Development), Prof Vanessa Watson and Nancy Odendaal (both of the University of Cape Town).
After introductions on day one, the first example of documented and published case research was presented by Dr Fred Lerise. Participants were assigned a task and the day concluded with a presentation on publication by Prof Watson.
A second example of a published case was presented by Dr Nnkya on day two, followed by an assignment and input from Prof Flyvbjerg on defining a case and research methodology.
Day three started with an input on the narrative method in documenting cases. Prof Watson then presented another example of a documented case, and a third group assignment was required of participants. A summary of the workshop proceedings is available here.
Overall, the workshop was highly interactive and was considered a rich learning experience by the participants. Nevertheless, a number of lessons were gleaned that will inform the next two workshops in Johannesburg (scheduled for 28 April to 1 May 2010) and West Africa (scheduled for 28 June to 1 July).
