Invisible professionals in a pathless land? The career
pathing and professional association of South
African tertiary educators in the changing
landscape of higher education

This is a report on a research project that was conducted during the period 2003-2005 with the intention of contributing to and informing discussion and constructive action related to the nature of the professional association and development of tertiary educators in South Africa. Drawing on data gathered in a participatory action research process, the paper gives an account of the author's attempts, in collaboration with fellow practitioners, to establish a professional association that will address the need for more effective networking among South African tertiary educators and for more clearly articulated career pathing.