304: Mapping Research and Knowledge with Social Network Analysis
Presenters
Kim Damm, EPA
Lelani Mannetti, Stellenbosch University
Other Speakers TBD
Abstract
Architecture of Environmental Evaluation
Abstract description coming soon.
Using Social Network Analysis to Map Traditional Knowledge Exchange Amongst the ≠Khomani Bushmen (Lelani Mannetti, Stellenbosch University)
The ≠Khomani Bushmen occupied the southern Kalahari at the turn of the 20th century. Like other indigenous peoples in southern Africa, they were dispossessed of their ancestral territories due to processes of social-political change. Following the end of Apartheid in South Africa, a land claim was lodged which ultimately reinstated their land use rights. The settlement legally entitled them the right to manage their property falling within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) together with the conservation authority responsible for the Park, South African National Parks (SANParks). Social network theory can advance our understanding of social-ecological systems since social networks have been identified as critical to the outcome of natural resource governance. A social network survey was conducted on the six farms awarded to the ≠Khomani, in the southern Kalahari. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information on social relations surrounding the acquisition, generation and transfer of plant use knowledge. The knowledge networks all have multi-hub structures, with many individuals loosely connected to the central cluster or completely isolated. Calculations of the density of relations in the networks highlight the limited spread of information and inaccessibility to knowledge. Having few social relations hampers the possibilities of joint action and hinders the development of knowledge and understanding through exposure to new ideas, innovations and an increased amount of information.
