Personal profile

Overview

I am primarily a facilitator of learning, informed by research and enjoy working with students and colleagues within the Institute of Education and accross the University of Manchester. Prior to joining the Institute, I held teaching and research positions in Bournemouth and then Nottingham Trent, during which I provided leadership to a University's Research Staff Association, a Special Interest Group (SIG) on Education and International Development and a Professional Placement Programme, amongst others. 

I obtained a PhD from Canterbury Christ Church University in the broader subject of Education and sub-area of Development Education. My thesis, submitted in 2014 and captioned "Rethinking university engagement to address local priority needs within the context of community development: a case study" built a systematic understanding of how people construct the existing and potential role of the university, and what might be required to meet their aspirations and desires in more developed and dialogical ways within the context of community development. 

Prior to completing a PhD, I obtained a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Nottingham in 2011 and a bachelor degree in Management from the University of Buea in 2005. 

Teaching

I primarily teach on the postgraduate programme "Education for a Sustainable Environment" and co-lead two course units, namely: Community and Policy in Sustainability Education, and Planning and Piloting Sustainability Education Research. 

I am also a member of the Higher Education, Green Research in Education  and the Power, Inequality and Activism scholarship and research groups within Manchester Institute of Education. 

Research interests

I am particularly interested in researching the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems within the nexus between Education (broadly defined) and Sustainable Development, with a key focus on SDG 13 (Climate Action) but also other SDGs. Other subjects of interest include decolonisation, widening participation, epistemic justice, service learning,  and local/community development.

In line with my research interests, I am completing a project in Cameroon and Zambia, respectively, on “The Indigenisation of Education for Climate Change Adaptation”.

Most recently, I was a recipient of the prestigious New Investigator Fellowship under the Humanities Research Investment Fund to take on the following project over two years: “Understanding the Learning of Indigenous Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Regions of Chongwe and Kasenseli in Zambia: Towards an Inclusive Response (TIR) in Building Back Better”.

In realising my research objectives, a set of approaches come to the fore, notably Interpretive Case Studies, Ethnographies, Action Participatory Research and Indigenous Methodologies. I am founder of the Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Development network of academics and practitioners and lead editor of the recently published book "Indigenous Methodologies, Research, and Practices for Sustainable Development" (Springer).

Enquiries for PhD supervision or research collaboration are most welcome!

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 1 - No Poverty
  • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Education/Academic qualification

Doctor of Philosophy, Education, "Rethinking University Engagement to address Local Priority Needs within the context of Community Development: a Case Study", Canterbury Christ Church University

Award Date: 12 Feb 2015

Master of Arts, Educational Leadership and Management, "Motivation of University Support Staff to Improve Work Performance", The University of Nottingham

Award Date: 23 Jul 2011

Bachelor of Science in Management, The University of Buea

Award Date: 15 Oct 2005

External positions

Associate Editor , International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education

28 Jun 2023 → …

Editorial Board Member , Humanities & Social Sciences Communications

6 Jun 2023 → …

Editorial Board Member, Journal of Environmental Education

2019 → …

Areas of expertise

  • H Social Sciences (General)
  • Development Studies
  • Higher Education
  • climate change adaptation
  • Climate change education
  • Indigenous Studies

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Sustainable Futures

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