AbstractsPsychology

This thesis is an empirical study of how HIV&AIDS program managers and staff in faith-based programs in community settings in sub Saharan Africa learn in the context of challenging and changing work conditions. An integrated narrative-practice inquiry approach in the interpretive tradition is used to co-create narratives of the experiences of program managers and staff learning HIV&AIDS prevention, home-based care of people living with HIV&AIDS, and the support and care for orphans and vulnerable children. These are generated using a two-stage process over two years, involving interviews, focus groups, document analysis and observing practitioners in their workplace. Drawing on practice theory and the work of Schatzki and Kemmis, this research empirically demonstrates key features of learning practice: embodied, relational, materially mediated, situated and contextual, and prefigured and emergent. Learning is activity and action. Whilst “involving yourself” seeking and giving advice, modelling and mentoring, and “having a go” through trial and error are primary learning activities, learning HIV&AIDS work is shown as more than an aggregation of these. Learning activities are dynamically organized and shaped around “walking the talk”, rules, and making skills and experience count. The integrated and value-permeated nature of learning is highlighted. Relationships of space, purpose and intentionality between learning and other practices are explored along with relationships between learning and material objects. In addition, contextualization to the past, present and future are addressed. Workplace learning in sub Saharan contexts is shown here to be always integrated through the interconnectedness of people, learning activities, relationships, other practices and material objects. In addition values including ethics, morals and matters of faith – under-theorized in learning and practice literature – are shown to permeate and shape learning practice. Commonly assumed learning dichotomies are found to be inseparable and mutually constituted rather than distinct forms of learning. Learning is shown to emerge in unanticipated and unpredictable ways, persisting yet transformed through rhythms and cycles, and going beyond metaphors of acquisition and participation. This has particular implications for practitioners learning to transition from HIV&AIDS exceptionalism to the integration of HIV&AIDS into normal health services.