REFA, like other rethinking economics movements, believes that some of the following things are wrong with economics education (especially in universities):

• A Lack of Pluralism in Economics: Pluralism is the idea that since economics (and the economy) are complex, we HAVE to use different perspectives and schools of thoughts to understand it
  
  Perspectives (and models) are like maps, which try to explain our economy by simplifying it. They help us to understand the world  - but become dangerous when we forget that individually they don’t show us the full picture. Recognising that there are different ways to study the economy is absolutely necessary for a good, quality education
  
  

• A Lack of Real-World Application: Lectures and tutorials deal with abstract theoretical models based on hidden and unrealistic  assumptions. Students are rarely, if ever, asked to use real world data - especially data from the African context
  
  

• A Lack of Critical Thinking: Students are expected not to question the models they are presented with in lectures and tutorials. This is poor preparation for the workplace, since economics graduates are often poorly prepared for real world situations because of how little context/policy they are taught
  
  

• It’s not an Economics for Everyone: Marginalised groups within our economies are under represented in teaching and research. This includes women, the working class and others. Other diverse voices, such as from the LGBTQI+ community, people with disabilities are also going unheard
  
  

• Lack of Diversity: Diversity enriches economics. It allows us to see problems from new angles and produce new answers. This means involving the people who will be most affected by economic theories and policies. For example, feminist economics exams how patriachical power structures affect the distribution of income within households, and what type of work counts as work. It allows marginalised groups to take ownership of economies designed against them, as in the movement to decolonise economics

adapted from the REFA Handbook

• Exposure to all relevant schools of thought, the history of their development and associated subjects such as politics or history;

• A critique of different schools of thought and a justification of preferences;

• The application of economic theory to complex and country-specific situations;

• The application of mathematics to solve real-world issues as opposed to application of formulas without understanding them;

• Strong critical thinking, reasoning, research and data analysis skills;

• A range of theories and different subjects for students to draw on to create unique, multi-faceted solutions

adapted from Stephanie Craig’s “Economic Pluralism in South African Universities”

Economics teaching and learning has a long-standing Western bias, even in courses in universities in the Global South (i.e. Latin America, Asia, Africa and parts of Oceania).

Economics courses everywhere often use the same standard Western textbooks, with data figures, case studies and models drawing either from very abstract mathematical models or from the US or Europe, where these books are written

Yes, you can! You don’t have to be an economics student, but you should be curious and willing to learn, read and participate. While some activities may focus on the economics curriculum, many events will be about how economics relates to other topics such as history, politics, law, sociology or other topics you may be more familiar with.

Rethinking Economics For Africa actively encourages students and experts from other disciplines to work with economics students to show what can be learnt from their area.

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Academics are very welcome! Academics can support student groups, or be involved in our resource-sharing efforts. If an active group does not yet exist at your institution, you could help some interested students to start one. We could also invite you to speak to students on a topic that you're particularly interested in!

Please get in touch with us to discuss how you'd like to get involved. Email bandile.ngidi@iej.org.za

REFA is a partner of Rethinking Economics, UK. We have close ties with the international movement and other heterodox organisations

REFA Chapters receive funding through various channels.

Our partners contribute to REFA projects and collaborate with us. REFA Chapters also collect minimal membership fees from university students who join the Chapter.

Fill in our sign up form and send us an email. We'll set up a call and discuss recruitment with you!

In 2024, we'll be setting up our Alumni network. Please stay tuned for announcements!