The power of epistemic humility. Co-Founder of Eh!Woza in South Africa explains

“Storytelling is really powerful. And then, it becomes even more powerful when you create a mechanism and a platform and a system where people can tell their own stories.” One part of Dr. Anastasia “Tasha” Koch’s work supports community members who tell their own stories through documentary films. This makes the stories feel authentic to viewers and encourages community engagement with the films.

Dr. Koch is the Co-Founder of Eh!Woza, a Cape Town-based nonprofit working at the intersection of science communication, youth advocacy, and community engagement.

She wasn’t always an organizer, Koch started as a Tuberculosis researcher. Host Stephanie Okeyo explores Dr. Koch’s path to becoming a TB community activist that began when Koch, a TB researcher in South Africa, realized she herself did not know anyone with TB. So, she asked the question: Why aren’t lab-based Phd researchers interacting with those affected by the disease?

What started with a question developed into a 2013 documentary passion project and, today, is an organization with impact.

Core to Dr. Koch’s project is the translation of scientific research into local language, and epistemic humility — the idea that all types of knowledge have value and are equal, which challenges the knowledge hierarchy that many scientists subscribe to.

Watch to learn about how Eh!Woza developed, their path to finding funding, their impact on local communities, and their plans for the future.

Eileen Tucci

eileenatucci@gmail.com

Eileen has a BA in Comparative Literature and Studio Film/Videomaking from Harvard University. She coordinates multiple programs on the CivicSciTV Network, and manages the social media posts, and newsletters.

Stephanie Okeyo

stephajwang@gmail.com

Stephanie Okeyo is a Microbiologist and Science Communicator. She is the founder of Under the Microscope. Some of her previous professional roles include Ambassador of Women in Science, East Africa and Representative to the United Nations office, Geneva at the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT). In 2019, she was listed as one of Under 30: Breaking Barriers Women in STEM and is a 2021 Zuri STEM category nominee. Stephanie is passionate about empowering young girls and being a voice for gender equality in Science and Technology.

• Stephanie Okeyo

  https://civicsciencemedia.org/author/stephanie-okeyo/

  

  January 8, 2025

  The power of epistemic humility. Co-Founder of Eh!Woza in South Africa explains