Research Publications (Arts and Design)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10321/214

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A scoping review of contextual factors contributing to school violence in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region
(MDPI AG, 2025-03) Khumalo, Gift; Makhakhe, Nosipho Faith; Lipholo, Bokang Nephtali
School violence is a prevalent phenomenon across Southern African Development Community (SADC), affecting children’s psychosocial and mental well-being. As part of SADC’s educational goals, access to quality education is a priority and is beneficial for the region’s economic growth and development. This goal cannot be achieved without addressing school violence at its roots. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step framework, this scoping review explored evidence of contextual factors that contribute to school violence in the region. Twenty-four articles were included, and six themes were identified: home contextual factors, parental factors, community risk factors, school contextual factors, sociability factors, and demographic and individual characteristics. The findings suggest that factors contributing to school violence were from the learners’ immediate environments, including exposure to violence at home and poor parental methods, interactions with teachers and lack of appropriate disciplinary methods and processes, disruptive ideas related to masculinity, lack of understanding and intolerance to demographic and individual differences, and exposure to violence, drugs, and alcohol at the community level. To address this phenomenon, a comprehensive approach is needed, which includes developing clear school policies, teacher training on managing disruptive behaviours and professionalism, mapping incidents of school violence, and interventions involving collaboration between schools, parents, and school social workers to curb school violence.
Navigating trauma : analysing the lived experiences of journalists who suffered violence in the line of duty
(Sage Publications, 2025) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Asuman, Manfred A.K; Ayim-Segbefia, Mary Selikem
Through the lens of the Coping Circumplex Model (CCM) and the phenomenological research approach, this study explores how Ghanaian journalists deal with trauma experienced in the line of duty. Participants reported experiencing a variety of traumas, including psychological, emotional, and physical. The data also revealed that the coping techniques adopted by participants fell within both the problem-coping and the emotion-coping dimensions. Some employed avoidance as an emotion-coping strategy and got triggered when they saw culprits, pointing to emotion-coping’s ineffectiveness in healing trauma. The trauma journalists experience also sometimes extends to the victims’ relations, calling for an exploration of coping strategies for victims of the cascading effects of trauma experienced by others in future studies.
Assessing the responsiveness of journalism curricula to the labor market needs in South Africa : a systematic review
(2025-7-23) Muringa, Tigere; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
Through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study evaluates the responsiveness of journalism curricula in South Africa to the evolving needs of the industry. Forty-six reviewed studies literature were retrieved for analysis. Findings indicate that while some institutions have incorporated digital media skills, critical thinking and ethics into their curricula, significant gaps remain in multimedia storytelling, data journalism, media entrepreneurship and AI tools in newsrooms. Furthermore, there is limited emphasis on practical work-integrated learning (WIL), leaving graduates underprepared for the fast-paced and highly competitive journalism labor market. The study recommends curriculum reforms that emphasize practical skills, industry partnerships and adaptability
Vertical representation of gender in the Ghanaian broadcast media
(Informa UK Limited, 2025-1-1) Danso, Samuel; Appiah-Adjei, Gifty; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
The gender gap in media organizations has drawn research attention in recent years. This study, through the lens of the glass ceiling concept, draws on interview data to explore how gender is represented in managerial positions within Ghanaian broadcast media. The study’s findings indicate that, despite progress towards gender equality, men continue to dominate top managerial positions in Ghana’s broadcast media. The absence of institutional policies specifically targeting gender representation perpetuates these inequalities. Further, informal efforts by some media firms to ensure fair representation lack the effectiveness of formal guidelines and accountability mechanisms. Thus, women in the Ghanaian broadcast media experience the “glass ceiling” effect and are excluded from managerial decision-making processes. The study highlights the importance of promoting gender equity and diversity in leadership within the Ghanaian broadcast media.
Assessing the responsiveness of journalism curricula to the labor market needs in South Africa : a systematic review
(SAGE Publications, 2025-1-1) Muringa, Tigere; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
Through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study evaluates the responsiveness of journalism curricula in South Africa to the evolving needs of the industry. Forty-six reviewed studies literature were retrieved for analysis. Findings indicate that while some institutions have incorporated digital media skills, critical thinking and ethics into their curricula, significant gaps remain in multimedia storytelling, data journalism, media entrepreneurship and AI tools in newsrooms. Furthermore, there is limited emphasis on practical work-integrated learning (WIL), leaving graduates underprepared for the fast-paced and highly competitive journalism labor market. The study recommends curriculum reforms that emphasize practical skills, industry partnerships and adaptability.
The African youth and communicative behaviours in digital spaces
(University of Ghana, 2025-7-1) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Yeboah-Banin, Abena Animwaa
As digital media platforms have become ubiquitous in all aspects of media consumption (Kaempf, 2018; Ren et al., 2024), there is abundant evidence that media consumers, particularly young people, are moving away from media to digital media (Kemp, 2021). This is demonstrated by the over 40% of Africans who use the internet regularly (Kamer, 2022) and the significant portion of news, advertising, and entertainment consumed on digital platforms (Rao & Nagaraj, 2022). Digital platforms also serve educational purposes (Adjin-Tettey et al., 2022), as many educational institutions have deployed digital technologies to complement other modes of educational instruction (Anderson & Rivera Vargas, 2020). Additionally, digital platforms serve as an important and foremost opportunity for networking among young people (Koch, & Miles, 2021; Sinanan & Gomes, 2020), self-expression and self-presentation (Guo, 2015), the pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities (Pano & Gjika, 2020), and political engagement and civic action (Hao et al., 2014), particularly for young people.
Unveiling voices and visibility : women’s engagement and representation in three morning prime-time radio shows in Accra, Ghana
(Emerald Publishing, 2025-7-25) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Asuman, Manfred; Ayim-Segbefia, Mary Selikem; Jjuuko, Margaret; Omland, Solveig; Azungi, Carol
While women’s status in Ghanaian media has improved in terms of the beats they cover, it is important to identify how this trend is reflected in such prime-time programmes as morning shows and how it has influenced gender sensitivity in content programming. This study investigates the engagement and participation of women in the three most popular morn-ing radio shows in Accra, Ghana. We employed qualitative content analy-sis and systematically monitored and analysed the three shows over four weeks in terms of gender roles, issue representation, and the frequency and prominence of women’s participation. The results showed that there were more men than women participating in the morning shows as hosts/journal-ists or guests on a daily basis. Female co-hosts hardly ever filled in as pro-gramme hosts in the absence of male hosts. The study further established that men are more often the participants in political discussions on prime-time radio as both hosts and resource persons. We recommend that media organisations establish a culture that guarantees gender-transformative and gender-sensitive programming and representation to increase women’s participation and engagement in media projects.
Navigating tradition and modernity in'Seven Doors', a Netflix's 2024 Nigerian series: exploring religious syncretism and cultural identity
(Adonis & Abbey Publishers, 2025-6-1) Adedokun, Theophilus; Mheta, Gift
This paper examines the portrayal of religious syncretism in Netflix's 2024 Nigerian series Seven Doors, analyzing how the narrative represents the intersection between traditional Nigerian religious practices and modern faith systems. Through a qualitative content analysis of the six-episode series, this study explores the fictional representation of traditional religious elements, particularly the Ifa divination system and ancestral worship, as they interact with contemporary religious perspectives in modern Nigerian Yoruba storytelling. While acknowledging the limitations of using creative media as primary evidence for theoretical frameworks, the analysis investigates how the series employs religious syncretism as a narrative device that reflects broader cultural discourses in contemporary Nigeria. The study contextualizes the series' fictional portrayal within existing scholarship on religious syncretism, positioning Seven Doors as a cultural text that offers insights into popular perceptions and representations of religious coexistence in Nigeria. By examining this media representation alongside established theoretical and empirical research on Nigerian religious practices, this paper contributes to the growing body of literature on religious representation in African media and explores how streaming platforms participate in cultural conversations about traditional African religious practices in modern contexts.
Covid-19 compelling governments to listen? Evaluating traces of listening to public opinion in Ghana's Covid-19 presidential lockdown speeches
(2021-12-1) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
In democratic contexts, attention is often given to voice to ensure transparency and accountability, however, there is little evidence for social and political actors having a sense of obligation to listen, let alone incorporating concerns of stakeholders into policy decisions. This study investigated whether the speeches of the Ghanaian president, delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic, when there was a compelling obligation to listen to inform measures to curtail the spread of the virus, exhibited any traces of listening. The study was grounded in the listening theory, which originates from the idea of path building, where stakeholders engage one another's perspectives on an issue to find solutions. Through the directed content analysis, 15 speeches delivered by the president were analysed. The results showed that the president took policy decisions based on engagements with relevant international, state, and private actors. He also listened to public sentiments regarding the socio-economic effects of measures taken and consulted relevant actors to address those concerns. The study recommends that the art of consciously listening be incorporated into all policy decision-making processes and not only be done during health crises. Future research could consider how listening during policy decision-making processes translates into policy acceptance.
From the classroom to the African newsroom: how journalism education can bridge the gap between the classroom and the shrinking newsroom
(Informa UK Limited, 2024-7-2) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
Throughout the development of journalism, several groups have made efforts to gain access to voice and advance specific agendas. The current evolutionary phase of journalism has witnessed the democratization of the origination and distribution of journalistic content and has propelled unparalleled content diversity and interactivity and a transition from communality of audience membership to individuality. This unprecedented phase has also brought on certain challenges to journalism as a practice and business, some of which are revenue loss to digital giants, misinformation, dwindling trust in mainstream media, shifting eyeballs to digital platforms and the withering of size and influence of mainstream news outlets. Consequently, journalism graduates now enter a job market that is largely low paying, is increasingly mediated by technology, is rapidly converging, and is experiencing a change in work cultures. In the midst of the rapid evolutions, one of the major concerns is how journalism and media studies schools can respond to this rapidly transforming environment for journalism practice. Through the autoethnography method of enquiry, this paper, thus, reflects on some of the current trends and makes proposals as to how journalism training schools can respond to current realities.
Safety of journalists from a gendered perspective: evidence from female journalists in Ghana’s rural and peri-urban media
(University of the Free State, 2023-12-13) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Asuman, Manfred A. K.; Ayim- Segbefia, Mary Selikem
This study sought to explore the safety risks female journalists working in Ghana`s rural and peri-urban media encounter while doing their work, how safe they feel and how they are coping with safety breaches. Thirteen semi-structured interviews with female journalists employed by Ghanaian broadcast media outlets in rural and peri urban areas were undertaken. Guided by Braun and Clark’s (2006) six steps for qualitative data analysis, interview transcripts were thematically analysed. It was found that physical and emotional security threats; poor working conditions were the main threats to female journalists working in Ghana’s rural and peri urban media. While there are generally bad working conditions, some participants believe that men receive more benefits and opportunities for professional growth than women. Compared to their male peers, females are occasionally ridiculed and refused training and professional opportunities. When there are safety violations, employers generally offer little assistance. Female journalists cope with violations and insecurities by self-censoring, avoiding working during specific hours of the day, and steering clear of reporting conflicts, politics, and elections as a safety measure. The study recommends that to avoid maladaptive actions by journalists, media organisations address the safety needs of their female journalists. Journalists themselves should look out for personal security initiatives to enhance their skills.
English teachers’ perspectives on infusing ICT in engineering graphics and design pedagogies using the TPACK framework
(University of Guelph, 2025-6-1) Maeko, Mogale Simon Albert
The 21st century and the 4th Industrial Revolution have necessitated a shift in pedagogies, highlighting the importance of integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into education. This study explored Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) teachers’ perspectives on the use of ICT in EGD classrooms, aiming to recommend strategies for effective integration using the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from nine EGD teachers across secondary schools in the uMgungundlovu district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. Thematic and descriptive analyses revealed that ICT plays a vital role in enhancing EGD instruction. Teachers demonstrated strong Technological Knowledge (TK) and effectively used tools such as AutoCAD and simulations to facilitate learners’ understanding of complex concepts. They also showed competence in aligning technology with pedagogy (TPK) and content (TCK). However, their efforts were often constrained by limited infrastructure and outdated resources. These systemic challenges hinder the full realisation of ICT’s potential in classrooms. The study recommends that the Department of Basic Education prioritize investment in ICT infrastructure and ensure equitable resource distribution. It also underscores the need for continuous professional development rooted in the TPACK framework and the creation of digital teaching resources. Furthermore, establishing professional learning communities is essential to foster collaboration and improve the integration of ICT in teaching practices. These measures are crucial for empowering teachers and preparing learners for the demands of a technologically driven world.
Exploring synergies in Euclidean geometry and isometric drawing: a snapshot on grade 12 mathematics and engineering graphics & design
(Modestum Ltd, 2025-4-1) Mlambo, Philani Brian; Sotsaka, Douglas Thembinkosi Sibusiso
Euclidean geometry and isometric drawing (ID) are significant topics in mathematics and engineering graphics & design (EGD), respectively. Over the years, these topics have developed a stigma due to learners’ consistently poor performing when tackling these topics. Many scholars attribute this challenge to a lack of spatial visualization skill, which is crucial in understanding these key areas in mathematics and EGD. This paper adopts a mixed-methods approach underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm to explore potential synergies between Euclidean geometry and ID by examining teaching practices and learner performance in these topics. To achieve these objectives, the study employed convenience sampling to select 15 teachers from four schools in the uMgungundlovu District. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews and document analysis, incorporating test results. Data from the interviews were thematically analyzed, while test data were processed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that while these topics are challenging for learners, there are notable similarities in how teachers approach their instruction. However, there was no conclusive evidence of synergy in learners’ performance as the analysis of the scatter plot and statistical metrics revealed a weak negative correlation (r = -0.35) between the scores, indicating that higher performance in one subject does not necessarily align with higher performance in the other. Based on these findings, the study recommends fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between mathematics and EGD teachers through training programs and workshops. Such initiatives could enhance teachers’ understanding of the potential connections between Euclidean geometry and ID, ultimately benefiting learners.
Teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurship education in Limpopo primary and high schools
(Education Association of South Africa, 2025-2-28) Ntsanwisi, Samuel; Simelane-Mnisi, Sibongile
With this study we aimed to investigate teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurial education in South African primary and high schools in the Mopani district of the Nkowankowa circuit in the Limpopo province. Simple, random sampling was used to select 101 teachers from 25 rural schools. The quantitative method was employed to investigate teachers’ attitudes and challenges towards the implementation of entrepreneurial education. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the teachers’ attitude towards entrepreneurship education. In this article, 2 factors – teachers’ attitudes towards entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship education challenges within school constructs – are discussed. The statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), with the aid of descriptive statistics, was used to analyse the data. The Cronbach alpha scores for all internal consistency scales were 0.90. The reliability test indicates that 0.80 and above is more reliable, and 0.90 offers the best scores. Face validity was established by determining the factor structure of the instrument. Concerning Bartlett’s test of sphericity, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) was found to be 0.805, and it was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Literature reports that KMO values between 0.7 and 1 indicate that the sampling is adequate. The results show that 96% of teachers felt that the challenge with regard to the implementation of entrepreneurial education was a lack of training. The results disclose that the majority of teachers (93.1%) indicated that entrepreneurship education was relevant in schools. Based on these findings, we propose that entrepreneurship should be implemented as a standalone subject within the basic education curriculum. In support of this vision, financial and physical resources are a vital propellant in achieving this trajectory.
The influence factor : a study of advertising and use of mobile phones by students of two universities in Ghana
(2013) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Bolfrey, Andy; Bugase, Carl Awetoga; Adotey, Theresa; Dodoo, Stephen, Jnr
:This study examined whether advertising influences the usage of telecommunication networks, using the students of the University Of Professional Studies Accra and Wisconsin University College in the Greater Accra Region as a point of reference. It was also to ascertain the media through which tertiary students received most advertising messages. The study found that, advertising was not the only variable that influenced respondents to use a particular network and that when matched up against other variables, ‘service quality’ comes on top as the number one influencing agent ahead of advertising. The traditional media was identified as the media through which most advertising messages are received. Finally, the study identified that advertising is a necessary but not sufficient condition that influences switching between telecommunication networks.
Countering the threats of dis/misinformation : fact-checking practices of students of two universities in West Africa
(Bastas Publications, 2024-1-18) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Amenaghawon, Francis
Although access is uneven, studies have shown a high uptake of digital technologies and platforms across Africa, with many accessing social media, which is a fertile ground for the spread of fake news and disinformation, calling for the need to factcheck information before consumption or sharing. The study was grounded in explore, engage, and empower (EEE) model of media and information literacy (MIL), which states that MIL competencies empower media and information users to identify, access, and retrieve information and media content skillfully (explore), analyze, and evaluate media and information critically (engage) and create, share, or use information and media ethically, safely, and responsibly (empower). The purpose was to assess fact-checking practices of students in two universities in Ghana and Nigeria to ascertain the extent to which they factcheck information, their levels of knowledge of fact checkers and the fact checkers that they use. The simple random sampling was used to draw a total of 316 respondents. It was found that although many respondents confirmed the authenticity of news and information received before acting on them, they mostly did so through social media and their networks. Few respondents knew about fact-checking platforms and could state names of actual factcheckers. The study makes a case for MIL, which includes fact checking, to enable media users to analyze and evaluate news and information critically to ensure the consequent ethical safe and responsible sharing and usage of information and media content, as EEE model proposes.
Harnessing the power of listening for social change in a disrupted media ecology
(Institute of Network Cultures, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), 2025) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Garman, Anthea; Asuman, Manfred A.K.; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Fosu, Modestus
Motivated by the fact that voice has been seemingly projected above listening when it comes to democratic participation, the chapter maps the literature on the listening theory to establish how the concept of listening can facilitate discourses in three contexts – public discourse, journalism, and social media. They argue that public discourses that take listening into account could yield better results if all parties are ready to listen to the different perspectives of an issue and find common ground. The two kinds of listening related to journalism - receptivity and recognition - were found to ensure that media content, editorial, and production processes are power-sensitive and responsive to the inequalities and conﬂicts that shape speaking and listening relationships. Theodora and Anthea also attempt to examine other dynamics of listening among individuals and corporations in the digitized participatory media sphere in light of the listening theory. Consequently, they propose another mode of online media listening – interface listening.
Navigating COVID-19: non-government actors’ communication interventions in South Africa
(Informa UK Limited, 2024-1-2) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Garman, Anthea
During the COVID-19 outbreak, diverse groups and organisations in South Africa played an important communicative role which, alongside the government, collectively mitigated the spread of the disease. A previous study that we undertook to assess government communication revealed that there were organisations, groups, and actors that addressed gaps in official messaging. In this article, we explore the ways in which these actors recognised gaps in government communication and stepped in both to draw attention to these gaps and to devise timely solutions. Seven representatives of four groupings were interviewed. The groups and actors were identified because the researchers became aware of their non-governmental communications efforts. Their insights were transcribed and thematically analysed. The findings showed that although the government, through its agencies and presidential addresses to the nation, made concerted efforts to provide relevant information to the entire population, these actors were quick to identify the communications lacunae and stepped in where there was lack of reach. They identified inadequacies such as: non-optimal use of communication channels, neglected languages, a lack of scientifically based information, and a lack of context-driven information. The findings highlight the complexity of the challenge of talking to a nation when the country’s communications landscape is complex, multilingual, and multifaceted.
Media literacy's role in democratic engagement and societal transformation among university students
(Informa UK Limited, 2024-4-2) Muringa, Tigere; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
By providing citizens with the knowledge they need to meaningfully participate in the democratic process, the media plays a vital role in the growth and consolidation of the democratic project. Also essential is citizens’ aptitude to critically examine, assess, produce and understand media and its social role in a democracy. The current study explores the role of media literacy in democratic engagement and social change among South African university students. The paper attempts to contextualise how students’ levels of media literacy led them to political participation, critical thinking and overall contribution to social change in a post-apartheid era. The paper draws on the cognitive mobilisation theory to argue that better media literacy helps students think critically about media, and improve their political knowledge, involvement and contribution to social change. Data for this study were collected by conducting in-depth interviews with n = 30 university students who were selected through a convenience sampling strategy. Results revealed that media literacy significantly influences university students’ engagement in democratic processes and societal transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. Media literacy also enhances their political knowledge, participation and critical analysis of media messages. These findings have implications for policy and practice in media literacy education.
Coverage of climate change : graduate students’ climate change policy awareness and assessment of Ghanaian media
(Common Ground Research Networks, 2019) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
Ghana's recognition of the adverse effects of climate change has compelled the government to put in place a National Climate Change Policy (NCCP), while highlighting the critical role of communication. In the light of this, the study attempts to establish what audience members (graduate students) perceive of how the media are taking up the role of providing the needed information on climate change. Results showed that there is high exposure to television and radio among this audience and the dominant source of climate change information is television. More respondents were aware of global policies and initiatives on climate change than national or local policies. Respondents also have a rather negative perception about the extent to which Ghanaian legacy media are communicating climate change. Respondents expect the media to give maximum attention to climate change communication. The top-three topics they want from climate change communication in the media are: effects of climate change; how to prevent climate change; and how to deal with effects of climate change.

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