Post-Doctoral Research Fellows
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Dr. Babalola Joseph Balogun
Dr. Babalola Joseph Balogun obtained PhD in Philosophy from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, where he teaches philosophy. His area of doctoral research is Philosophy of Mind, with special interest in the problem of other minds. His other areas of interest include epistemology, African philosophy, existentialism, social and political philosophy, and in recent time, philosophy of education and decolonisation discourse.
Dr. Balogun has well over twenty (20) publications in journals and edited volumes. His research outputs have appeared in reputable journals both locally and internally. Some of his recent publications include Balogun, B. J. (2023). “In search for authentic personhood: An existentialist reading of Femi Osofisan’s Tegonni: An African Antigone”. International Journal of African Renaissance Studies, 18(1): 24-46; and Balogun, B. J. (2023). “Building an authentic African philosophy of education based on African concept of personhood”. Curriculum Perspective, https://doi.org/10.1007/s41297-023-00187-x. Dr Balogun is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dr. Simon Vurayai
Dr Simon Vurayai is a senior post doctoral research fellow with Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies.He holds Doctor of Education Degree in Socio-Education. Dr Simon Vurayai has over 25 publications to his credit. He is a co-editor of 3 book volumes and a sole author of 1 book that have been published so far. His research interests are sociology of knowledge and the curriculum,higher education, digital sociology, sociology of inequality, and gender studies.
Dr. Awodiji, Omotayo Adewale
AWODIJI, Omotayo Adewale is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Education Leadership and Management, University of Johannesburg, Part-Time Faculty with the UNICAF University, Cyprus, and Part-Time Tutor with the Botswana Open University, Botswana. He holds a Doctoral degree, M.Ed., and B.Ed. in Educational Management with a specialisation in Human Resource Management and Leadership from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, and Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), Business Education (Accountancy) Oyo State College of Education, Oyo. He received a fellowship under the agreement between The World Academic of Science (TWAS), Italy and COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), tenable at the Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan in 2016-2017. He is a member of many professional and academic societies among which are: Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Nigerian Association for Educational Administration and Planning (NAEAP), Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAAM), British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society (BELMAS), Member, American Psychological Association (APA), Association of Behavioural Research Analysts and Psychometricians (AB-REAP), and Association of Business Educators of Nigeria (ABEN). He has about 30 publications credited to him in reputable journals. His current research is on “Leading Professional Development in Basic Schools for Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Dr Sithobile Priscilla Dube
Dr Sithobile Priscilla Dube is a qualified teacher/lecturer, administrator and postdoctoral researcher with great passion in educational management research. Her passion in research has seen her attend and participate in international conferences in education, and having papers published in journals for the following countries; Canada, South Africa, Thailand, Zambia, Sweden and Zimbabwe. She is a Stellenbosch University, South Africa, PhD graduate in the Department of Education Policy Studies (December 2019). She graduated from Zimbabwe Open University with a Masters in Educational Planning and Policy Studies. She lectured in the Theory of Education Department at United College of Education for eight years. Holding a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Philosophy and a high school teaching certificate from the University of Zimbabwe, she taught in secondary schools for eleven years. She has worked at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe (April 2007-January 2022) as a senior administrator in various departments, and became a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry and Social Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine since February 2022. She is also engaged in continuous research on a Staff/Lecturer Exchange Visitor engagement with Uppsala University, Sweden (2022-2024) and revisiting the management of the postgraduate supervision processes as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Education Leadership and Management, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Dr Benkosi Madlela
Dr Benkosi Madlela is currently a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg in the department of education (Science and Technology Education). He holds a Doctor of Education degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA), Master of Education from UNISA, Honours Bachelor of Education from UNISA, Advanced Certificate in Education from UNISA, Baccalaureus Technologiae Education Management from Technikon Pretoria, and Advanced Postgraduate Supervision Capacity Development Programme Certificate of Attendance from UNISA. His thesis focused on the incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into the Natural Science curriculum in Pongola schools in KwaZulu Natal province. His dissertation focused on the application of the learner centred approach in the teaching and learning of Natural Science in Johannesburg East schools. He has worked in higher education institutions that train teachers in two SADC region countries. His research focus areas include use of technology in education, inquiry based learning, inclusive education, curriculum transformation and incorporation of IKS into the formal school curriculum.
Dr Mthobisi Ndaba
Dr Mthobisi Ndaba holds a B. Social Work, MA Sociology, and a PhD in Education awarded by the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Chair. His PhD research looked at the role of academics in serving the public good in and through higher education. His research interests include education inequalities, access and success in higher education, academic development, and higher education studies.
Dr Ogegbo Abosede Ayodele
Dr Ogegbo Abosede Ayodele obtained her PhD in Science Education from University of Pretoria in 2018. She is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Science and Technology Education (SCITECHED). Her research interests are inquiry-based science education, computational thinking, science teacher development and technology use in science teaching. Before joining University of Johannesburg, Dr Ogegbo worked at the Lagos State Ministry of Education as a senior education officer and served in various leadership capacities. She also worked as a Physics Tutor at the Physics Department in University of Pretoria during her PhD studies.
Dr. Babatunde K. Oladele
Dr. Babatunde K. Oladele is a teacher, researcher, and data analyst. He is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Dr. Oladele is a Postdoctoral Fellow Researcher awardee in the Department of Science and Technology Education, University of Johannesburg. South Africa. He had all his education in Nigeria at Ekiti State University and the University of Ibadan. His doctoral thesis focussed on the comparison of classical test and item response measurement theories in estimating students’ ability in mathematics constructed-response items. His area of interest is mathematics education, educational evaluation, and assessment.
Habeeb Omoponle Adewuyi
Habeeb Omoponle Adewuyi obtained a Master’s Degree (M.ed) in Educational Psychology and School Counselling and completed his (Ph.D) in Educational Counselling and Developmental Psychology from the Department of Counselling and Human Development study in the prestigious University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria (2021). As the best graduating student in his department during his master’s programme with a distinctive CGPA, he won several awards within and outside the university. He has several publications in reputable national and international journals as well as a textbook. Some of his publications focus mainly on youth and adolescents’ psychological problems ranging from educational, career, socio-personal, emotional to mention a few. Further, he has taught several courses in Guidance and Counselling at different levels, he has also supervised and co-supervised various students at both undergraduate and master’s level.
Dr. Hanrie Bezuidenhout
Hanrie is currently a PDRF within the NRF SARChI chair for ‘Integrated Studies of Learning Language, Mathematics and Science in the Primary School’ in the Faculty of Education. The overarching aim of her research is to develop open access research-based teaching materials and validated assessment instruments for early numeracy and robotics teaching. Integrating her teaching experience with research knowledge forms the foundation of her research approach. She utilizes a researcher-educator collaborator ecosystem, working co-creatively with teachers and other researchers to translate assessment- and teaching materials in several South African languages. Her current projects include i) the development and translation of numeracy and mathematics vocabulary assessments; ii) the translation of a series of numeracy story books; iii) the development of a series of robotics story books; iv) creating an in-service teacher coaching program for early grades numeracy and reading – in collaboration a SARChI chair CoP for ‘Social Systems Strengthening to Improve Child Well-being Outcomes’; v) conducting some of the first functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) study’s for mathematics vocabulary development in Africa; and v) creating a South African web-service for South African teachers, researchers, parents and teacher educators. She serves on the Editorial Board of the South African Journal of Childhood Education and co-supervises several postgraduate students.
Dr Julliet Munyaradzi
Dr Julliet Munyaradzi completed her Ph.D in Education at the University of South Africa in 2022. Her thesis is entitled; Perceptions of senior academics and postgraduate students on the decolonisation of curriculum at a distance e-learning institution in South Africa. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies, University of Johannesburg in South Africa. Her research interests include decolonisation of higher education, language policy, multilingualism in education and issues of equity and access in higher education. She has submitted several manuscripts which are currently under review.
Dr Kelemu Zelalem Berhanu
Dr Kelemu Zelalem Berhanu from Ethiopia. He obtained his doctoral degree from Akdeniz University, Turkey in 2020 with a specialization of Education Management, Inspection, Economics and Planning. He received two master’s degrees in education, Administration, supervision, economics and planning and clinical psychology from Akdeniz University, Turkey and Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, in 2018 and in 2014, respectively. He has worked in Arba minch University and Debre Markos University, Ethiopia, in the position of lecturer and Assistant Professor, respectively. He participated in various international congresses (e.g., the 9th International Congress on New Trends in Education, and the 26th International education sciences Congress). He is involved in ongoing projects on School Improvement Projects and Enhancing Leadership Competency.
Dr. Tshepo Mvulane Moloi
Dr. Tshepo Mvulane Moloi is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies (AMCHES) in the Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). His a past Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) at the Johannesburg Institute of Advanced Study (JIAS), at UJ. Holds a DLitt et Phil. in Political Science (2019) from UJ, an MA in Systematic Philosophy (2013), a Bachelor of Administration Honours (2007) and a BA Heritage Studies (2006)- the latter three were attained at University of Zululand. Holds an Advanced Diploma in Sport Management (2000) from Rand Afrikaans University (RAU).
DR CHIEDU ESEADI
Chiedu Eseadi has a Ph.D in Counselling with a focus on career and mental health counselling. Under the mentorship of Prof. B.M Diale, he serves as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg. Dr Eseadi is ranked among the Top 500 researchers in Nigeria by SciVal. He is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive Behavior Therapy, BMC Public Health, Bulletin of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Medicine (Baltimore), and International Journal of Research in Counselling and Education. He is recognized by Publons as a top reviewer for several international journals. Dr Eseadi has more than six years of teaching and research supervision experience at the university level. He is a member of the Counselling Association of Nigeria, International Council of Psychologists, Council of Science Editors, International Society of Managing and Technical Editors, American Psychological Association, and Nigerian Council of Educational Psychologists. Dr. Eseadi has held some academic leadership positions at the University of Nigeria, including chairing the Faculty of Education Research Ethics Committee and the Information and Communication Technology Committee in the Department of Educational Foundations. His research interests include career counselling, career transitioning, interventions for people with neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health and workplace interventions, educational and career guidance, and students’ and teachers’ wellbeing.
Dr Marcina Singh
Marcina is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the South African Research Chair for Teaching and Learning. She received her Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Criminal Justice, PGCE and Masters in Education from the University of Cape Town with some courses completed at the University of Illinois – Urbana Champagne (USA) and Oulu, University (Finland). She completed her PhD at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. She was previously the academic manager for a private university in Cape Town and then took up a position at the Centre for International Teacher Education as a Research Fellow and Deputy Director. Her publications and areas of interest are citizenship and social cohesion, decolonisation and decoloniality, teacher professional development, education during times of crises and disruptions as well as general aspects relating to teaching and learning. She has experience working with governmental and non-governmental organizations (Department of Basic Education and Department of Higher Education and Training, VVOB, British Council, NECT, ESRC/DfID). She has developed working relationships with several universities locally and globally, including Stellenbosch University, Tshwane University of Technology, University of the Western Cape, Sussex University and the Tata Institute for Social Sciences in India. The pursuit of equity, equality and social justice is foundational to her work. She has lecturing and supervision experience and has presented at several local and international conferences. She has co-edited a book on initial teacher education (African Sun Media,2018), newly qualified teachers (African Sun Media, 2023) and Inclusive Education in South Africa (British Council, 2022).
Dr Udeme Samuel Jacob
Dr Udeme Samuel Jacob is a researcher, community developer and consultant in the field of special needs with a focus on the education and training of persons with intellectual disability. He had his Bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education/Agricultural Science. His interest in Persons with Special Needs made him switch from General Education to Special Education with a bias toward education and care for individuals with Intellectual disability. He obtained his degrees (M.Ed & PhD) from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Dr Jacob is a Lecturer in the Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan.
Odutayo Adesegun Olayide
Odutayo, Adesegun Olayide (Ph.D.) bagged his Bachelor’s degree in Education Economics in 2011; Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Development in 2017 and 2022, respectively, from the University of Ilorin. He was a lecturer at the Institute of Education, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and Leads Innovation Limited. His research interest is curriculum implementation, design, innovation, teacher education, and pedagogy. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Childhood Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He has articles in reputable journals locally and internationally.
Dr. Oluwaseyi Aina Gbolade Opesemowo
Dr. Oluwaseyi Aina Gbolade Opesemowo hails from Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. I bagged my doctoral and master’s degrees at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in 2021 and 2016, with a specialization in Educational Tests and Measurement. I lecture in the Department of Educational Foundation, Faculty of Education, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Nigeria. I obtained a Bachelor of Education in Educational Guidance and Counselling/Economics at Tai Solarin University of Education (Nigeria’s Premier University of Education). However, my research focus is Educational Research, Tests, and Measurement, with key interest in Computer Adaptive Testing, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics Education, Psychometrics, Test Theories (Item Response Theory and Classical Test Theory), Scale Development, and Data Analysis. Presently, I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Science and Technology Education, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Opesemowo Oluwaseyi Aina Gbolade is happily married and blessed with wonderful children.
Dr. Amedu Amos Nnaemeka
Dr Amedu Amos Nnaemeka is a postdoctoral research fellow in the department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg. He holds a PhD in Economics Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. From the same university, he earned both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics Education. Dr Amedu has authored/co-authored 13 journal articles in reputable journals and is a member of the “International Association of Economics Educators”. He has attended and presented several papers at academic conferences. His research interests lie in health economics, child labour, mental health, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and economic evaluation. Currently, his research focuses on economic evaluation of intervention programs for PTSD. It also focuses on cost effectiveness of a psychological intervention for PTSD, and the impact of contractionary monetary policy on students’ mental health.
Dr. Jumoke I. Oladele
Jumoke I. Oladele completed her PhD in Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation. She holds a permanent teaching position with the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, a postdoctoral research fellowship with the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and a non-stipend research award grant with the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Her specialization is in educational evaluation and psychometrics. She is skilled in leveraging technology for research, among other uses. Her research interests are in scholarship of teaching and learning, item response theory-based psychometrics in educational assessments with computer adaptive testing, applicable to a wide range of subjects focusing on improving standardized assessment in Africa, educational evaluation, and gender/innovation studies. So far, her research has generated several publications in national and international journals (https://bit.ly/jio_g_scholar). She is the initiator of the Association of Computer Adaptive Testing in Africa of which she is a member and serving as the research/membership director. She is also a member of other learned societies such as Teacher’s Registration Council of Nigeria, Association of Educational Researchers and Evaluators of Nigeria and the International Association for Computerized Adaptive Testing among others. She also on the editorial board of The Journal of Evaluation and Journal of Educational Research in Developing Areas while she also engages in peer reviews for a good number of other renowned journals nationally and internationally.
Dr. Sulaimon Adewale
Dr Sulaimon Adewale is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Education Leadership and Management. He obtained his doctoral degree in Educational Management with a specialisation in TVET Policy studies from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. His Masters (M. Ed) Educational Administration was obtained from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria. His Bachelor of Science and Education (Honours) in Political Science was obtained from Lagos State University, Ojo, Nigeria, and Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in Islamic Studies/ Political Science was obtained from Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria.
His research interests include education policy/management; gender management; change management; Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); and research methodology. He is recognized by Publon as a top reviewer for several international journals. He is a member of many professional and academic societies among which are: Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Nigerian Association for Educational Administration and Planning (NAEAP), Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAAM), American Psychological Association (APA), and Association of Behavioural Research Analysts and Psychometricians (AB-REAP). He is well published in reputable journals.
Dr. Osita Ossai
Dr Osita Ossai has background qualifications in Educational Psychology, and specifically, research interest in Gender studies and Child developmental psychology. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education and English, and masters and doctorate degrees in Educational Psychology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Nigeria. He has attended several academic conferences and published over 35 articles in reputable national and international journals. Dr Ossai has more than six years of teaching and research supervision experience at the university level. He is a registered member of the Nigerian Council of Educational Psychologists and Association of Childhood Educators of Nigeria. Dr Ossai has performed some academic leadership positions at the University of Nigeria, including Conference Publicity Secretary as well as member Faculty of Education Research Ethics Committee and the Information and Communication Technology Committee in the faculty of education. He has a penchant for academic excellence, and is endowed with astonishing social and interpersonal skills. He also possesses skills and ability for independent and collaborative research; leadership and administrative qualities; and high level of problem-solving ability. He is currently a Senior postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department of Childhood Education, Faculty of Education University of Johannesburg. In 2022, he received the UJ Post Graduate School Research Excellence Award for the second-year category. He is being supervised by an erudite academic and Head of Department, Childhood Education, Prof Sarita Ramsaroop
Dr. Vera Victor-Aigbodion
Dr. Vera Victor-Aigbodion who is currently a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Educational Psychology is a recipient of the Global Excellence & Stature Fellowship Award at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. She is a Nigerian-born, talented and energetic academic who obtained her Ph.D in Educational Psychology from the famous University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she holds a lecturer position in the Department of Educational Foundations. Her research interest is on Career Transitioning of Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Specifically, Dr. Victor-Aigbodion’s research focus is centered on conceptualizing and designing non-clinical frameworks for career education, including in-reach and outreach programs for schools, communities, political, religious and social groups, as well as children’s homes. She is one of the editorial board members in the Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. Also, she is a reviewer for the following reputable academic journals: Current Psychology, Journal of Community Psychology, Psychology in the Schools, Medicine (Baltimore), The Psychologist, and Journal of the Nigerian Academy of Education. She has published quite a number of research papers in several peer reviewed journals and attended numerous local and international conferences. Currently, as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, she is saddled with the responsibilities of teaching, undergraduate and postgraduate thesis supervision, and research publication.
ORCID:
Dr. Fanuel Matindike
Dr. F. Matindike holds PhD from University of the Witwatersrand; M. Ed from University of Zimbabwe and Dip. Ed from Mutare Tr’ College.
Research Interests:
- Integration of ICTs in the teaching of mathematics
- Incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in inter-disciplinary STEM education
Dr. Ratidzai Shoko
Dr. Ratidzai Shoko holds a Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Johannesburg, Master of Education from the Midlands State University, Bachelor of Science degree from the Zimbabwe Open University and Diploma in Education.
Dr. Shoko is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Educational Psychology. Her research interests include: Inclusivity and Social Justice; Access, Equity and success (Undergraduate studies); School violence.
Dr. Sibonokuhle Ndlovu
Dr. Sibonokuhle Ndlovu is a senior post-doctoral research fellow at Ali Mazrui Centre for higher education studies, at the University of Johannesburg. She completed her PhD from Wits School of Education. She has several publications around disability issues and the inclusion of students with disabilities in South African higher education.
She was awarded a certificate of excellence by University of Johannesburg in recognition of outstanding achievement in research and academic citizenship in the postdoctoral research programme (2019). She is the lead editor of the book, Social, Educational, and Cultural Perspectives of Disabilities in the Global South and a core-editor in the book, Transformative curricular, pedagogies and epistemologies. Her work is framed on strong diversity inclusion and social justice agenda.
Dr. Martin Chukwudi Ekeh
Dr. Martin Chukwudi Ekeh is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg. Dr. Ekeh has more than ten (10) years of cognate teaching and learning experience in institutions of higher learning.
His specialty areas are transformative childhood learning pedagogies, life skills development, teacher professional development, and mentorship. He has authored and co-authored many national and international journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Ekeh is happily married with children.
Dr. John Olayemi Okunlola
Dr. John Olayemi Okunlola obtained Master’s Degrees in Educational Management (Planning and Policy) and Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In his quest for further knowledge, in 2022, he earned a doctoral degree from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa. Before his sojourn into full-time academia, he was a social worker with the Society for Family Health (SFH), where he was involved in several interventions. His work at SFH led to the publication of his first book, HIV: The Ultimate Challenge in Africa Today. He was also a part-time lecturer with Ekiti State University in affiliation with Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, for seven years. Since becoming a full-time academic, he has published articles in reputable international journals. His research interests include quality assurance in education, continuous professional development, educational policy, and conflict management. Dr. Okunlola won the 2023 Global Excellence Stature (GES) 4.0 Initiative (Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Johannesburg), and he is currently working at the intersection of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and digital leadership, under the supervision of his host and head of department, Dr. Naicker Suraya of Education Leadership and Management.
Musa Adekunle Ayanwale
Musa Adekunle Ayanwale is currently a senior postdoctoral research fellow at the Department of Science and Technology Education at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds a PhD in educational research, measurement, and evaluation credentials him as an expert in the field of assessment and psychometrics. His research interests include testing theories, instrument development and validation, psychometrics, generalizability theory-based reliability analyses and evaluations, Q-Methodology, structural modelling, and computerized adaptive testing. His current research involves advancing technological solutions assessment for the purpose of developing a more effective and efficient method of educational assessment in Africa. Also, he is an experienced and top-notch quantitative and qualitative data analyst and distinguished author who has published in many reputable local and foreign journals. He is a peer reviewer for several local and international journals. Co-founder of the Association of Computer Adaptive Testing in Africa, he is also managing editor of the Journal of Computer Adaptive Testing in Africa, and Associate Editor of African Journal of Behavioural and Scale Development Research. In addition, he is a member of numerous learned societies, including Psychometric Society, Association of Behavioural Research Analysts and Psychometricians, Educational Assessment and Research Network in Africa, Teacher’s Registration Council of Nigeria, Association of Assessment of Learning in Higher Education, Association of Educational Researchers and Evaluators of Nigeria, and the International Association for Computerized Adaptive Testing, among others.
Dr Jabulani Mpofu
Dr Jabulani Mpofu is a native African and a Senior Lecturer in the department of Disability Studies and Special Needs Education at Zimbabwe Open University. Dr. Mpofu has more than twenty year’s experience working with people with disabilities as an advocate for inclusive communities. Dr. Mpofu has published several research articles in peer-refereed journals, book chapters, and modules on disability issues. His primary teaching assignment at Zimbabwe Open University focuses on issues around Inclusive communities. Dr Mpofu’s perception on disability and inclusive education is immersed in his professional preparation and work experience which values diversity in learners.
Dr Olaide Agbaje
Dr Olaide Agbaje is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Her research interest spans across various aspects of higher education such as the internationalisation of higher education, pedagogy in higher education and international student mobility in Africa. She has a couple of publications to her credit and has presented academic papers at various conferences and workshops within and outside Africa. Dr Olaide has received some awards and recognitions for her work, including the National Research Foundation of South Africa Masters Block Grant Innovation (2015-2016), The University of Pretoria Doctoral Research Bursary (2017-2019) and the Best PhD Abstract for completed research 2019 (University of Pretoria).
ORCID: 0000-0002-4263-6555
Dr. Victoria Olubola Adeyele
Victoria Olubola Adeyele, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Science and Technology Education, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. She holds a Bachelor’s in Biology/Education from Adeyemi College of Education, Nigeria. She has a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Development from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, with teaching experience at various educational institutions, including the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, and the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti. Dr. Victoria Olubola Adeyele has significantly contributed to early childhood education, children’s STEM education, and child psychology. Her achievements include winning a distinguished academic scholarship and research grant and publishing in reputable journals. She actively participates in professional organizations to stay updated with the latest developments in her field. Victoria’s expertise lies in early childhood development and children-in-science, and she is driven by her commitment to improving educational practices and positively impacting young learners’ lives. Dr. Adeyele’s publications are accessible via ORCID 0000-0002-5845-5927.
Dr. Francesco Pontarelli
Dr Francesco Pontarelli is a postdoctoral research fellow at the SARChI Chair in Community, Adult, and Worker Education at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Johannesburg; a MSc in Labour, Social Movements, and Development from SOAS, University of London; and an MA in International Relations from ‘L’Orientale’, University of Naples, Italy. His areas of research embrace fields useful for transformative processes, including Gramsci’s thought, critical pedagogy, international political economy, and labor and social movement studies. He is the editorial manager and book review editor of Notebooks: The Journal for Studies on Power, published by Brill.
Dr. Hilma Namakula
Dr. Hilma Namakula is a postdoctoral fellow affiliated with SARCHi Teaching and Learning at the University of Johannesburg. She obtained a Ph.D. in Education from the University of the Witwatersrand. Dr. Namakula’s research interests encompass a wide range of topics, including academic literacy development, access to higher education, teaching and learning, early childhood development, and teacher development. Prior to joining the university of Johannesburg, Dr. Namakula worked at the Wits School of Education as a tutor for Education Studies 1-4 on the B. Ed program. Through this, she made significant contributions to the development of students’ academic literacy practices. Her knowledge and views have also been exhibited through her co-authorship of five articles and one book chapter, in the areas of academic literacy, access to education, and teaching and learning in higher education.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9896-7639
Dr. Gbenga Michael Adeyeye
I am Dr. Gbenga Michael Adeyeye. I hold a National Certificate in Education (N.C.E), B.Sc. (Ed), M.Ed. (Adult education and community education), and D.Ed. in Socio Education. I am a scholar and educator, I am well-balanced (in principle and practice), goal-oriented and emotionally stable. I have demonstrated the potential to conduct high impact research through my past and on-going scholarly efforts. I have a strong knowledge of educational studies with a special interest in socio education
My research interests are in education and social issues such as social, economic and cultural capital, school discipline, gender and resilience. My doctoral work focused on the academic performance of rural and urban secondary school students in South-Western Nigeria. In my dissertation, I demonstrated the existence of educational imbalances in society. Also, I identified reasons for the differences in the academic performance of school learners using economic, social and cultural capital theory and mixed-method research approach.
Post-Doctoral Research Fellows Alumni
Dr Asamenew Demessie Bireda
Asamenew Demessie Bireda, completed his BA degree in English language & literature and MA degree in Educational psychology (Measurement & Evaluations) both from Addis Ababa University and PhD degree in psychology (developmental Psychology) from University of South Africa. He has worked as a teacher, journalist, and lecturer. Since 2007 he has been working at University of South Africa as a student counselor and Academic reading & writing facilitator. He has presented papers in different conferences and published articles in an internationally accredited peer reviewed journals. In 2015 the International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) awarded Dr. Bireda a Prize for innovation and Best Practice in Open, Distance, Flexible, Online Education and E-learning at the 26th ICDE World Conference, Sun City, South Africa. He is currently, a post-doctoral research fellow within the faculty of Education at University of Johannesburg and his research revolves around resilience among orphans and vulnerable children. His research interest areas fall under developmental psychology (child & adolescent development); counseling (career development); social psychology (identity development and interpersonal relationships) and Higher Education (Open Distance Learning, student support, and research supervision).
Dr David Balwanz
David Balwanz has fifteen years of research and evaluation, program design and program management experience in the field of comparative and international education. His experience is focused in the sub-Saharan Africa region and includes extensive work in Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia working with a variety of organizations, including the Department for International Development, the Global Partnership for Education, the World Bank, USAID and Ministries of Education in several countries. David is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Education Rights and Transformation at the University of Johannesburg. His recent research has focused on secondary education and youth development in middle-income countries. For his postdoctoral fellowship, David is conducting research on community-run programs operating in townships in Gauteng which support the ‘holistic development’ of secondary school aged youth. David has published research on the secondary education, post-school education and youth development in South Africa and holds a PhD in International Education Policy/Political Economy from the University of Maryland-College Park.
Dr Nicky Roberts
Nicky Roberts research interests include: School improvement and cost-effective systemic change in education, Early mathematics learning (ECD and Foundation Phase) with a focus on the integration of mathematical thinking and big ideas in mathematics into rich language learning (using story telling), The use of technologies (particularly m-learning to reach and support carers and teachers of young children), and Special educational needs in mathematics. Most of Nicky’s current research is in mathematics education and technology enhanced learning. She is able to move between the academic realms and the commercial consulting research environment. Nicky brings extensive commercial research experience undertaken for a wide range of research clients including private sector companies (Telkom, MTN, Nokia, Microsoft, Ernst & Young, KPMG), international donor agencies (GIZ, DFID, UNESCO, UNICEF), government agencies (National, Provincial and local governments as well as various Sector Education and Training Authorities). She has managed both small and large scale research projects. The large scale projects have spanned several countries and many have been multi-year assignments. She has been responsible for the project scope, budgets and related financial and human resource management of the research.
Dr Sarah Godsell
Dr Sarah Godsell completed her Honours degree on the history of the small town Rooiberg in 2008, with a focus on the dynamics of the town after the life-force of the town, the tin mine, closed down. Both her MA and her PhD (Blurred Border’s of Belonging:Hammanskraal Histories 1942-2002, 2015) were on the area north of Johannesburg, Hammanskraal. Focal points of the thesis included an engagement with spatial theory, looking how Hammanskraal has different histories and was different things to different people at different times. This engagement is pushed further into South African historiography, calling for investigations into multiple, simultaneous histories, and examining how space is seen in South African history. Her current work is interested in how history is learnt by education students, and what this means for how these future teachers understand the concept of history, and so how they will work with it in our primary school classrooms.
Dr Florence Taiwo Ogunyemi
Dr Florence Taiwo Ogunyemi, fondly called Taiwo, is a teacher, researcher, and an advocate of child’s rights and early childhood education. She is a Senior Lecturer at Tai Solarin University of Education, Nigeria, and currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Department of Childhood Education, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. She had all her university education at Nigeria’s premier university – University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Her doctoral thesis is titled “Epistemological Relevance of Constructivism in Early Childhood Education in Nigeria”. Dr Ogunyemi has a number of publications on children’s education issues in national and international outlets. She belongs to many national and international associations including OMEP International and International Society on Early Intervention. Taiwo is married with children.
Dr Nevensha Sing
Nevensha Sing holds a PhD in Higher Education and a MEd in Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand. She has worked as a lecturer, tutor, writing centre coordinator, mentor, and an independent contractor. Her research interests include Student Experience, Vulnerability, Support, and Retention. She is also interested in internationalisation, globalisation, partnerships and the marketisation of higher education. Nevensha attributes her communication ability to her extensive experience in basic education having served as both a primary and high school educator, school based support team manager, head of department and guidance counsellor. She brings with her a strong and valued background in working with learners, students, parents, staff, management and stakeholders at all levels in the education field.
Dr Felix Omal
Dr Felix Omal holds a PhD degree from the University of the Witwatersrand with focus on the role of university councils in South Africa. He specializes in politics of higher education at the Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies. His academic work focuses on developing critical African perspectives to university governance in a globalizing world.
Dr Nic Spaull
Dr Nic Spaull is currently a postdoctoral fellow within the SARCHi Chair for Integrated Studies for Learning Language, Mathematics and Science in the Primary School. Nic was recently awarded the Thomas J Alexander Fellowship by the OECD, and before that was a Visiting Scholar in the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University in the United States. Nic has a PhD in economics and has published numerous journal articles on education focusing on assessment, accountability, literacy and education policy in South Africa. The research he has conducted in the current postdoc focuses on language in the primary school, and specifically on second-language learners. One area was on oral reading fluency and comprehension, co-authored with Prof Elizabeth Pretorius, and was published earlier this year in the prestigious international journal “Reading & Writing” (Springer – DOI 10.1007/s11145-016-9645-9). He will also be publishing his other UJ research on assessment titled “Disentangling the Language Effect in South African Schools” which will appear in the South African Journal of Childhood Education (SAJCE) later this year. Nic is also a research fellow at Stellenbosch University and sits on the Joint Advisory Committee of the South African Human Rights Commission. He has recently been awarded an ESRC/DFID grant to research exceptional township and rural schools in South Africa in 2016/17/18. Nic has been involved in a number of research projects for local and international organisations, including the South African Presidency, the Department of Basic Education, UNICEF, the EU, UNESCO and SACMEQ. The most recent of which was the “Binding Constraints in Education” project for the South African Presidency and the EU. He advises numerous NGO’s , policy-makers and grant-making bodies, and also regularly updates his website (nicspaull.com) with new research and articles he finds interesting.
Dr Sarah Coetsee
Sarah Coetsee holds a PhD degree from the University of Johannesburg with focus on teaching approaches of mathematics in the nexus of learning styles and teaching styles. She is passionate about how the construct of ‘style’ transfer into real mathematics classrooms. Sarah conducts postdoctoral research on mathematical thinking styles and its implication for pedagogical development.
Dr Emily Sitienei
Emily Sitienei (PhD) is a Kenyan citizen. She obtained her Bachelor of Education degree (Mathematics and Geography), Master of Philosophy in Guidance and Counseling and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Psychology from Moi University. She is accredited counselor and a member of Kenya Counseling and Psychological Association. She has worked as a teacher and student counselor in several secondary schools in Kenya and with a Community Based Organization as a counselor for Orphans and vulnerable children and persons living with HIV/AIDS. In 2011, she got employed in Moi University as Lecturer in the Department of Educational Psychology under School of Education. In 2014 she was promoted as Senior Lecturer and was appointed a Coordinator for Kericho Satellite Campus of Moi University. She has published articles in peer reviewed journals and attended conferences. Currently she is a Post Doctorate Research Fellow in the Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus. Her main research interests are on psychological and social challenges facing members of the society, psychosocial interventions for HIV/AIDS persons and for orphans and vulnerable children, impact of psychological counseling on psychological and social wellbeing of members of the society. Her main hobbies are listening to music, interacting with people and traveling to new places.
Dr Mani Rajbhandari
Mani Rajbhandari, Research interests; Educational Leadership, Leadership Readiness, Leadership Maintenance, Leadership Behaviour, Leadership on Climate and Culture in Educational Settings.
Dr Sylvestre Nzahabwanayo
Dr. Sylvestre Nzahabwanayo is a PhD holder in Philosophy of Education obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, South Africa) in 2016. His doctoral dissertation reads: “Citizenship and values education in post-genocide Rwanda: An analysis of the Itorero training scheme for high school leavers”. His research area is Political Philosophy applied to Education including issues, such as citizenship, values, peace, democracy, and human rights education. Dr. Nzahabwanayo is also a Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Education (UR-CE). In terms of academic membership, he is the co-founder of The Rwandan Philosophical Association (ARPHI), a forum geared towards making the Rwandan philosophy an engine for peace, unity, reconciliation, and development.
Dr Onoriode Collins Potokri
Dr Onoriode Collins Potokri is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Education Leadership and Management. He obtained his doctoral degree (Education Policy Studies) from the University of Pretoria. His Bachelor of Science and Education (Honours) in Economics and Master’s (M.Ed.) degree in Educational Management were both obtained from the Lagos State University, Nigeria. In addition, he is a qualified Chartered Administrator (MCIA). He has presented papers and served as invited guest speaker at different conferences/seminars. He has supervised to completion thesis of masters and doctoral students. His research interests include education policy/management; women in education and development; economics of education; and research methodology. He is author and co-author of several articles, books, chapters in books and conference proceedings. He was the managing editor of the International Journal of Educational Development in Africa (IJEDA), a UNISA based Journal and till date reviewer for different journals (national and international).
Dr. Epimaque Niyibizi
Dr Epimaque Niyibizi is a Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Educational Leadership and Management. He is also a Lecturer at the University of Rwanda – College of Education since 2001. He holds a PhD degree in Applied Languages and Literacy Education from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), a Master’s degree in Social and Educational Research Methods from the University of Rwanda – College of Education (Rwanda) and a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of South Africa (South Africa). His research interest is mainly on Language policy in Education and its implications on educational leadership and management; Language learning/acquisition and Language teaching and management in multilingual settings.
Dr. Lucia Munongi
Dr Lucia Munongi is a lecture in the Department of educational Psychology offering modules to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She is passionate about children’s rights and social justice and strives to see the knowledge of these disseminated widely through research publications and practical teaching. She is also interested in the lives of orphans and vulnerable groups especially children and students at tertiary education level.
Dr Beatrice Akala
Dr. Beatrice Akala is a Post- doctoral fellow, University of Johannesburg. Until recently, Beatrice was based at the University of Witwatersrand, school of education as a PhD student, researcher, academic tutor and examiner (education psychology, philosophy and sociology) and teaching experience (TE) supervisor. Beatrice is a researcher; her research interests are in the area of human rights and democracy in education. Her current research interests and outputs are in the following areas; gender, equity and equality policies; higher education transformation policies and social justice. Beatrice is also a research assistant, working with a team that is looking at rurality in South African higher education (South African Rurality in Higher Education -SARiHE). She is also qualified as a Kiswahili educator, which she has taught in various institutions in Kenya and South Africa.