My friends and I are meeting for our next fireside chat in December to talk about transitions. The timing couldn't be more perfect, considering I am currently navigating a significant change as I step out of my full-time role of directing AMALI in early 2024. For those familiar with my work, you've witnessed the growth of AMALI from its inception, and now, the time has come to pass the baton to propel it to new heights.
So what's next for me? Well, Let's start with what's past for me. I had the privilege of working at three universities before joining Big Win Philanthropy to create AMALI. In those three universities, I interacted with thousands of students over 11 years as I taught courses ranging from visual arts to human-centred design. I also supervised dozens of postgraduate students, some of whom worked on my research projects and have remained close associates.
So, where did I start?
After completing my master's degree at the University of Nairobi, I was fortunate to start as an assistant lecturer at Maseno University, hundreds of miles away from Nairobi, where I lived. What I loved most about Maseno was its rural setting and lush greenery that contrasted with the concrete jungle of Nairobi. For three years, I enjoyed walking through the gardens and forests on my way to class at the Maseno Department of Design. Being a city girl, I did maintain my Nairobi connections. I often travelled to work at the United States International University (USIU), where I taught the visual arts course.
After three productive years in Maseno, I returned to my Alma mater, University of Nairobi, to take up an assistant lecturer position. At first, I hesitated to make this lateral move, but I soon figured I could leverage other opportunities at the University of Nairobi, the number one university in Kenya.
From Nairobi to Stellenbosch and back
Two years into my time at the School of Design at the University of Nairobi, I won a fully funded TRECCAfrica scholarship to study for my Ph.D. at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. I was over the moon and hosted not less than four going-away parties to ensure my friends and family celebrated this big win with me. I promised them ten parties when I returned with my doctoral degree. However, the pain I suffered while writing my thesis at Stellenbosch sufficiently humbled me into hosting only two intimate gatherings to venerate my having survived what was perhaps the most brutal struggle in my life.
From Nairobi to Cape Town to London and back
After my doctorate, I won research grants through the University of Nairobi, which catapulted me into the international development space, paving the way for my role in AMALI. Transitioning from a position I excelled in at the University to spearheading AMALI, which at the time was a venture with uncertain outcomes in a new field of expertise for me, was a gamble I embraced with great enthusiasm. My enthusiasm and fervor carried me through two years of flying between Cape Town, London, and other African cities to prepare for the launch of AMALI, which we successfully inaugurated in January 2023.
What next?
My sights are set back on my city, Nairobi. I want to elevate my development and innovation expertise while integrating my learnings back into academia, starting with the three online talks below. I'm so pumped!
Upcoming talks
Topic: Universities' Role in Tackling the Climate Emergency: A 'Glocal' Perspective
Where: Bartlett Publics: Pluralising at University College London
Date: 15 November 2023
Register here to attend.
Topic: Creativity and Innovation in Leadership
Where: Mastercard Foundation Programme at the University of Cambridge
Date: 15 December 2023.
Topic: Rethinking Design Making and Design Thinking in Africa
Where: Department of Media and Information at Michigan State University
Date: 9th February, 2024.
Follow me on Linkedin to get updates on my talks and future endeavors.
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