Prof. Jaco Dreyer (Discipline of Practical Theology: College of Human Sciences) is a 2012 NRF B rated researcher.
The role of religion in South African history is a complex issue. Having played an important role in the South African liberation struggle, religion, it is argued, has played an equal role in the violation of human rights that led to the liberation struggle. But on the eve of South Africa’s 20 years of democracy, what is the place of religion in addressing the current challenges faced by the country?
This topic motivates Professor Jaco Dreyer from the Discipline of Practical Theology in the College of Human Sciences, who undertakes research in the methodology of practical theology and the development of a public practical theology.
Dreyer, a 2012 NRF B rated researcher, said the main motivation for his research on the role of religion in the public sphere is to contribute to the healing of past wounds and the restoration of relationships and human dignity in South Africa and on the continent. In addition, his focus on empirical research methodology in practical theology is driven by the desire to stimulate and to enhance the quality of practical theological research.
“We live in a country and continent characterised by so many divisions and tensions between individuals and groups and so much suffering caused by wounded memories, inhumane living conditions and human rights violations. The role of religion in all of this is quite ambivalent. Looking at the history of our country and continent we are painfully aware of the role that religion played, directly or indirectly, in the suffering of so many people. On the other hand, religion and spirituality have been important resources in dealing with these issues. Against this background I think research on the public role of religion can provide insights that could help us to deal with many of our contextual challenges, especially those challenges that damaged the dignity of human beings. Unisa positions itself as a leading tertiary education and research centre in the African context, and this research certainly fits in with this vision.”
Unisa’s support for research
With Unisa commemorating 140 years of shaping futures in Africa, Dreyer believes the university is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of South Africa and the continent. “Unisa provides researchers with wonderful resources (such as the Unisa library) and opportunities to develop as a researcher. This does not mean that everything is perfect. The administrative support for research is certainly one aspect that could be improved. However, I think Unisa is moving in the right direction with its research policies and support. It is the responsibility of academics and researchers to make the best use of these resources and opportunities. Looking at all the research endeavours of my colleagues at Unisa and the ‘research capital’ of this university, I have no doubt that Unisa can, and already does contribute much to the shaping of South Africa and our continent.”
Dreyer, whose rating will be acknowledged at the gala dinner during this year’s Research and Innovation Week (11–15 March), joined Unisa’s teaching staff in January 1989 and in April 2009 became Professor of Practical Theology at the university. He is currently involved in five collaborative and individual (but also overlapping) projects that are centered on his two main research focus areas. He is Vice-President of the International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT), and also serves on the editorial boards of five national and international academic journals.
Benefits of collaborative research
Discussing his thoughts on collaborative research, Dreyer said the benefits for academics are immense. “A very significant development during the early part of my academic career was my involvement as member (1994–2004) and later co-project leader (2002–2004) with Professors Johannes A van der Ven and Hendrik JC Pieterse in a collaborative research project on human rights and religion. For more than 10 years we worked together as a team, from the planning and conceptualising of the project, the questionnaire construction, the data collection, data analysis and interpretation and the writing of papers, articles and a book.
“I benefited immensely from participation in this project. It afforded me the opportunity to learn the craft of empirical research from Professor Van der Ven, one of the leading international practical theologians and the most prominent exponent of empirical theology. Participation in this project deepened my understanding of the great complexity of empirical research and stimulated my interest in the challenges of doing empirical theological research.
“Participation in this project did not only shape my research interests and skills. I learned about research project management, academic networking and the conduct of collaborative research. It also afforded me the opportunity to become connected to the broader national and international network of practical theologians. The positive experience of collaborative research work, the longstanding relationship with colleagues of the Radboud University Nijmegen, and my involvement in the international project on human rights and religion since it started in the 1990s make it quite natural to be involved in international research collaborations.”
Dreyer said he is grateful to Unisa for the acknowledgment of his research work, and it certainly encourages him to continue on the academic and research path that he has chosen.
| Dreyer’s five research projects are centered on the methodology of practical theology and the development of a public practical theology: |
 Prof. Chris Hermans
The Spirituality and Leadership (SL) project is a collaborative empirical research project with Professor Chris Hermans (a research fellow of Unisa) of the Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The overall aim of this study is to examine the relationship between spirituality and transformative leadership in South African schools. The project entails both quantitative and qualitative research, and the research team hope to contribute to the public good by gaining a better understanding of the role of spirituality regarding transformative leadership in the South African school context. |
A second collaborative empirical project, Religion and Human Rights 2.0 (RHR), is undertaken in co-operation with Professor Hans-GeorgZiebertzof the University of Wűrzburg, Germany. The project is scheduled to run from 2013 – 2017 and the survey will be conducted in about 26 countries. The main aim of this research is to explore whether religion has any impact on human rights attitudes of students at the end of their secondary education and/or at the start of their tertiary education amongst other things. This project is a continuation of research conducted in public and private schools in 1995/1996 and 2000/2001 in South Africa. Prof. Hans-Georg Ziebertz |
 French philosopher Paul Ricoeur
Another project is Practical Theology in South Africa in the 21st century: Towards a public practical theology. Thisis an individual research project undertaken by Dreyer and the overall aim is to develop the rationale for and methodology of a public practical theology in the South African context. The emphasis in this project is on theoretical and conceptual rather than empirical research, but always in close interaction with the results of empirical projects on contemporary public issues and policies (such as the SL and HRR projects described above). Continuing his work on French philosopher Paul Ricoeur, he plans to proceed with research on conditions for religious participation in the public sphere that will further dialogue, mutual recognition and tolerance and a culture of human rights. |
A fourth project, Practical Theology and key contemporary thinkers, focuses on the significance of the work of some key contemporary thinkers for practical theological methodology and research. Dreyer has already done some research on the significance of the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur and the German social philosopher Jürgen Habermasfor practical theology. Ricoeur’s view on human action (speaking, acting and narrating), his emphasis on ethics and justice and his work on memory and forgetting present powerful ideas that could enrich the understanding of practical theology in general and a South African public practical theology in particular. German social philosopher Jürgen Habermas |
