How we work

The Politics and Urban Governance Research Group (PUG) was established to “connect research on urban politics to the lived experiences of citizens. It upholds a commitment to integrity, collaboration and social impact”.

About us

The Politics and Urban Governance (PUG) Research Group was formally launched in 2023. The rationale behind PUG’s work is to use research to support both social justice values and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) in a highly unequal society. We live in a country that, on one hand, has one of the highest measures of inequality in the world and, on the other, has a strong democratic ethos, celebrated Constitution and motivated civil society. At PUG, we understand that there are many strengths to the design of urban governance in South Africa; however, urban governance frameworks and practices have not led to dignified living conditions for low-income residents, particularly those in informal settlements (Anciano and Piper 2019). PUG recognises that embedded, sensitive and long-term research will allow those holding power in society (including but not limited to government policymakers) to better understand, acknowledge and act to improve the realities of communities living in vulnerable conditions.

Mission

PUG’s mission is to link marginalised voices with power holders and decision-makers through a platform centred on research excellence.

Objectives

PUG’s work builds off five primary objectives:

To better understand all forms of governance in vulnerable or marginalised communities through building long-term research partnerships.
To use our research as a platform to link residents to decision-makers and power holders. We foster participatory spaces that support inclusive debate.
To influence decision-makers and policies related to urban governance and human rights through research, inclusive dialogue and co-design.
To build a platform to expand opportunities for collaborative international research and publishing.
To serve as an incubating space for emerging scholars and post-graduate students to develop research experience and networks, preparing them for the world of work in the area of politics and urban governance.

Value-based rationales

PUG’s research is framed around a set of five value-based rationales that guide our work and impact.

1. Empirical Focus

At PUG, we conduct long-term, sensitive research to empower those holding influence and power in society (including but not limited to government officials and political representatives) to better understand, acknowledge, and improve the realities of vulnerable communities. We make research accessible to policymakers, with the goal of empowering marginalised communities. Our research is embedded within postgraduate training to foster a deeper understanding of real-world challenges.

2. Theoretical Focus

Our work seeks to enrich and trouble existing concepts of social justice, human rights and citizenship. We are committed to deepening theories on the hybridisation of governance and centring power in our analyses. By moving beyond binaries and conventional approaches to urban governance, we aim to develop theories and frameworks for governing transitions, including sustainability transitions. At PUG, we believe that a nuanced understanding of these issues helps avoid the implementation of ‘solutions’ that perpetuate systemic injustice and inequality. We expose the complex interactions between systems and stakeholders, instead of reducing them to simplistic conclusions.

3. Methodological Focus

We work closely with marginalised communities, using a mixed-methods approach, and actively embrace and develop participatory action research methods like PhotoVoice, WhatsApp Diaries, and Storytelling. We aim to co-create knowledge with diverse research participants and partners. We support embedding these approaches within urban research by offering regular research methods seminars. In diverse urban systems, relying on a single perspective can lead to gaps in understanding and inappropriate recommendations. Scholars such as Jaglin (2014) and Croese (2021) highlight the need for a pluralistic approach that considers the socio-material, historical and geographical diversity of urban contexts, especially in African cities where traditional research methods often fall short. To advance urban studies, Parnell and Pieterse (2016) argue that methods and theories must adapt to better capture the unique dynamics of African urbanisation.

4. Epistemological Focus

We place knowledge from the margins at the centre of our work, recognising that research can serve as a powerful tool for influencing decision-making and contributing to global scholarship. Our work reimagines the role of universities in responding to urban crises and expanding democratic spaces by providing fellowships and internships to support early-career researchers and human rights defenders. Our epistemological framing of cities and their internal structures shapes our understanding of urban processes.

5. Collaborative Focus

Networking and partnerships are at the heart of our approach. We emphasise internationalisation and include research partners beyond academia to foster a more inclusive and diverse research environment. We have strong links with civil society, including human rights organisations, community-based organisations and networks across Africa and beyond.