For the love of liberatory education
Dr. Maki Motapanyane teaches in subject areas that include feminist theory, postcolonial theory, feminism in Africa, global gender studies, colonial/postcolonial and women's social movements/political upheaval/social change, ecofeminism and liberation ecology, Hip-Hop culture, and motherhood. Her research projects and publications examine various feminist traditions in Africa, Black feminist epistemology, maternal theory and motherhood, childcare policy and the political economy of care, Hip-Hop culture, stand-up comedy, and equity and inclusion in organizational practice.
Motherhood and Lone/Single Parenting: A 21st Century Perspective
"Maki Motapanyane brings together an outstanding collection of essays to explore our fastest growing family form: the lone parent - usually lone mother - family. This exciting volume showcases a diversity of scholarly methods and disciplines - including media studies, women's studies, auto-ethnography, sociology and policy studies - to analyse mothering. The stand-out contribution here is the emphasis on diversity and the associated critique of heteronormativity with reference to two-parent families, though also, more interestingly, in relation to lone parents themselves. Here we see lone mothers as in internally heterogeneous group. This volume is essential reading for all who are interested in the rise and diversification of lone mother families."
Petra Bueskens, Honorary Fellow, The University of Melbourne.
“New Maternalisms”: Tales of Motherwork (Dislodging the Unthinkable)
This rich collection draws together accomplished motherhood scholars across disciplines to raise new questions about how we define and understand global motherhood. It gives voice and new perspective to maternal figures previously less recognized in academic reading.
Most importantly, the global perspective explored in this book will raise awareness about the challenges of understanding motherhood both as an experience and a discipline."
Laura Tropp, Professor, Marymount Manhattan College, author of A Womb with a View: America's Growing Public Interest in Pregnancy.
Mothering in Hip-Hop Culture:
Representation and Experience
"Thoughtfully compiled, beautifully written, and deeply theorized through a lens of feminist praxis, this collection features contributions by some of today's brightest scholars.
It is a must read and must teach for Women's and Gender Studies, Hip-Hop Studies, and every other study that wants to get at the heart, soul, and materiality of mothering within and beyond hip-hop."
Rachel Raimist, pioneer Hip-Hop feminist filmmaker, Associate Professor, Depts. of Journalism and Creative Media, University of Alabama.
“Dr. Motapanyane’s academic research, combined with her community outreach and public education, has made a significant impact through research-oriented venues, in her own classrooms as well as others’, and with community organizers and policy-makers. Dr. Motapanyane’s life-long commitment to social justice and anti-racist work has indelibly shaped her students’, colleagues’, and community members’ understanding of and approaches to active civic engagement. I cannot think of a higher standard to set.”
— Dr. Carmen Nielson, author of Private Women and the Public Good (UBC Press, 2014)