Research for a brighter tomorrow
A multi-country research initiative strengthening how pre-service and in-service educators across Southern Africa approach gender and sexual diversity in the classroom. We study how responsible AI can build the confidence, competence and care that inclusive teaching needs.
Research
Across South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini, curricula call for inclusive sexuality education — yet many teachers feel under-prepared, uncomfortable, or unsupported when diversity comes up. This project asks a practical question: can responsible AI help educators build the skills and confidence that policy already expects of them?
Teachers often rely on personal belief rather than professional preparation, leaving LGBTIQ+ learners unseen. We examine where that gap comes from and what actually shifts it.
An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design — measuring change in confidence and AI literacy, then explaining how and why it happens through educators' own accounts.
Used well, AI offers a private, stigma-free space to practise difficult conversations, adapt to local culture, and rehearse inclusive teaching before facing a full classroom.
About the project
The project is grounded in Transformative Learning Theory: real change happens when educators can safely examine their own assumptions, reflect, and rebuild how they teach. AI extends that reflection beyond a five-day workshop into sustained, everyday support.
It runs across two groups — student teachers beginning their careers, and experienced Life Orientation educators already in the classroom — so we can compare what preparation looks like at different career stages.
Every participating educator will get a private, secure login to a personal dashboard — the home for the whole learning journey and the place where your research contribution lives.
See your questionnaires and reflections at a glance — what's complete, what's still to do, and where you are in the programme.
A guided AI space to practise inclusive teaching, test approaches, and get feedback on lesson plans you upload — privately.
A protected library and educator community for vetted tools, lesson ideas and ongoing support between and beyond the workshops.
Ethics & governance
This is research on a sensitive topic, so how we handle people and data matters as much as what we find. Six principles guide every part of the platform.
AI supports educators and researchers — it never makes the call on its own.
Identifying details are separated from research data and protected under POPIA.
Participants know what is collected, why, and how it will be used.
Content is culturally responsive and designed for every learner to belong.
Built to recognised accessibility standards, for a range of devices and needs.
Rigorous, ethics-approved methods and honest reporting throughout.
Research participation
Students in Life Skills, Life Orientation, Inclusive Education or Psychology of Education programmes at participating universities across the four countries.
Qualified Life Orientation teachers currently teaching Grade 10–12 sexuality education, across five South African provinces.
Taking part involves a short intensive programme plus follow-up support through the participant portal. The secure sign-up is being finalised — in the meantime, register your interest and the research team will be in touch.
Register your interestTeam & partners
Researchers across five institutions and four countries, coordinated from the UNISA College of Graduate Studies.
Contact
Use the address that fits — we route research, governance and support separately.
Research & project
research@AIAugmentedEducation.comPolicy, ethics & governance
policy@AIAugmentedEducation.comPlatform & user support
support@AIAugmentedEducation.com