Interrogates, celebrates, performs and opens up a projective scholarship on Ruth First’s extraordinary body of knowledge that also recuperates, recovers and rediscovers her. Convincingly argues for forging activist research that speaks to contemporary challenges and builds on First’s rich legacy.

In this stunning and timely volume, leading activist-scholars engage the extraordinary and courageous life, work and legacy of Ruth First to explore the productive relationship between research and activism. The authors show that knowledge production is not neutral and plays a vital role in co-creating a world in which justice, care, and collective knowledge—as opposed to powerful elite class interests—define the body politic. Research and Activism: Ruth First and Activist Research takes us on a journey that is both historical and contemporary, and reminds us that activist research is essential to navigate our turbulent times. – Michelle Williams, University of the Witwatersrand