We are thrilled to announce yet another significant milestone within our fellowship community. Dr. Firehiwot Girma, a distinguished 2023 Mawazo Fellow from Ethiopia, has successfully earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering, specialising in Electrical Power Engineering. This prestigious degree was conferred by the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology in collaboration with KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden.

Additionally, Dr. Sylvia Mutinda, a 2021 Mawazo Fellow from Kenya, has auspiciously completed her PhD programme in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology from the Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI),

On behalf of the Mawazo Institute, we extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Firehiwot and Dr. Sylvia on this remarkable achievement and wish them all the best in their future research endeavours. We take immense pride in supporting such accomplished women and are excited to contribute to bridging the gender gap within the research community.

To support the next generation of African leaders and innovators, please consider donating here.

On 3rd July 2024, 30 Fellows gathered for a live event focused on climate policy and society, where they engaged in informative discussions that highlighted the critical role of research in shaping effective climate regulations. This was part of the inaugural MLEx Course on Climate Lens, which we are offering for the first time. The session was led by Dr. Tedd Moya, a lawyer, academic, consultant, and entrepreneur with expertise in energy, environment, technology, and sustainability who underscored how data and analysis are essential for achieving emissions reduction targets, fostering community engagement, and optimising resource allocation. The Fellows recognized that their work could significantly influence policy decisions.

In the event, Dr. Moya emphasised the importance of policy relevance in impactful research, particularly in building relationships with stakeholders to ensure that research findings address the real-world challenges faced by minority groups. By integrating climate research into their daily lives and academic pursuits, the Fellows gained insights into making informed decisions while raising environmental awareness.

This event was integral to the Fellowship Programme as it equipped Fellows with the skills to frame their research around climate change effectively. It also provided guidance on writing about this critical issue and bridging the gap between scientific language and public understanding, while exploring the intersectionality of climate change.

On 4th July 25 Fellows attended the multi-disciplinary perspectives, diversity and gender live event whose focus was on the critical intersection of gender and climate change. Women, particularly those living in impoverished and marginalised areas, are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change due to various social, cultural, economic, political, and institutional barriers. This vulnerability is compounded by the fact that women’s significant roles in both adapting to and mitigating climate change are often overlooked or undervalued.

The purpose of this event was to shed light on the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives in research related to climate change. By emphasising equity, justice, and inclusivity, the session was also led by Dr. Tedd Moya, and aimed to identify how different segments of society experience the disproportionate effects of climate change. The discussions were framed within the context of how Fellows can structure their research through a Climate Lens that specifically addresses the challenges faced by African women.

Participants explored strategies for framing their research around the gendered impacts of climate change while also considering how they could contribute to solutions. The overarching message was clear: climate change is a global issue that requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society. By recognizing and amplifying women’s voices and experiences in this discourse, we can foster more effective responses to one of the most pressing challenges facing our world today.

On July 18th, a pivotal session on Internet and Data Security was conducted, led by Mawazo’s Tech staff members Ray Wanjiru, Rose Kairu, and Shirley Irungu and Data Science and Machine Learning Expert, and 2021 Mawazo Fellow, Kavengi Kitonga. The event attracted 29 Fellows who were eager to deepen their understanding of the practical applications stemming from the Internet and Data Security MicroCourse. The primary objective of this session was to equip them with essential knowledge regarding safe internet practices and data protection strategies.

The speakers  emphasised the importance of creating a secure online environment for researchers. It highlighted that researchers themselves are the first line of defense against potential internet threats. Given that they frequently handle vast amounts of data, it is crucial for them to recognize vulnerabilities in their digital interactions and adopt effective measures to protect their information.

Throughout the live event, Fellows were empowered with insights on how to prevent data loss and mitigate risks associated with internet vulnerabilities. By fostering an understanding of these critical issues, the session aimed to facilitate a smoother research process for attendees, ensuring they could focus on their work without interruptions caused by security breaches or data mishaps.

On July 8, 2024, Prossy Namuwulya, a Laboratory Scientist at the Uganda Virus Research Institute and a 2023 Mawazo Fellow, was featured in an article by The Monitor, a national newspaper based in Uganda. The piece emphasises measles as a highly contagious disease that predominantly affects young children, especially in low-income countries. 

For further details, you can read the full article here.

Dr. Sylvia Mutinda, a 2021 Mawazo Fellow affiliated with the University of Toronto, has recently been honored with the Provost Postdoctoral Award. This accolade is in recognition of her pioneering research focused on the mechanisms by which parasitic plants eavesdrop on agricultural crops. The significance of this award lies not only in its prestige but also in its acknowledgment of Dr. Mutinda’s contributions toward developing innovative strategies aimed at mitigating crop damage and enhancing food security.

Her groundbreaking work exemplifies the critical role that interdisciplinary collaboration plays in achieving scientific advancements. By integrating knowledge from various fields, Dr. Mutinda is making strides that could lead to transformative solutions for agricultural challenges.

Read more about her remarkable work in this article.

2021 Mawazo Fellow from Kenya, Yvonne Githiora highlights that Nature-based Solutions (NbS) serve as effective strategies for tackling societal challenges by leveraging the natural environment as a foundational framework. These solutions not only address pressing issues but also yield additional environmental benefits. While NbS have been successfully implemented across various ecosystems worldwide, there remains a significant ambiguity regarding their definition and application within savanna ecosystems, which represent the largest terrestrial biome on Earth. In her paper titled “Nature-based solutions in the savanna belt of Africa: Insights from a systematic review”, Yvonne identifies several factors that hinder NbS from achieving transformative impacts on societal challenges in the African savanna belt.

Join us as we delve into the compelling narratives of African women researchers who confront not only the challenges inherent in conducting research and pursuing PhD studies but also the additional adversities posed by living in conflict-affected regions.

Our Fellows hail from various countries across the African continent, with many adapting to these challenging social conditions. Their resilience and dedication shine through as they navigate both academic pursuits and the complexities of their environments.

2023 Mawazo Fellow Mbithe Nzomo is taking on the mission of improving access to healthcare in Africa by integrating AI in Health monitoring systems. We spoke to her about why she believes that AI is a gamechanger in Africa’s healthcare. Read more here.

2021 Mawazo Fellow and Data Scientist Kavengi Kitonga lead the 2023 Fellows in a Data and Internet Security MicroCourse, one of their final courses in the Fellowship Programme. She shared with us more of her tips for researchers to be safer online as individuals and with their data. Read more here.

Joining Mawazo has been a transformative career move for me. The collaborative and passionate atmosphere here has provided a haven for creative freedom and exploration. I find immense fulfilment in my work, which aligns perfectly with my impact-driven approach. The vibrant, dynamic workplace fosters an environment where my creativity can thrive, and the dedication of my colleagues is a constant source of inspiration. The recognition and encouragement I receive, both internally and externally, validate the effort I put into my projects and make every contribution worthwhile. Being part of Mawazo has allowed me to channel my creativity into meaningful, impactful work, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an organisation that values both innovation and empowerment.

Angela Mwangi - Graphic Designer, Mawazo Institute