Meet the Team
We are a collaboration between academics from Kenya, Zambia, and the UK
Kenya Team Members
Kisii University, Kenya; Aston University, United Kingdom
Research site: Nanyuki, Kenya
Dr. Pamela Wadende
Developmental Psychologist and Postgraduate Studies Coordinator at the School of Education and Human Resource Development, Kisii University, Kenya
Pamela is a co-investigator and the senior investigator for the Kenya site, working with Henriette to supervise and manage all aspects of the project including data collection, personnel, grant fund use, and impact work.
Dr. Henriette Zeidler
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK
Based in Nanyuki, Kenya
Henriette is the local coordinator for the Kenya site, supervising assistants, supporting teachers to develop their networks, managing data collection, leading dissemination, and liaising with schools and officials in the Nanyuki area.
Dr. Grace Anyango Koteng'
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Kisii University, Kenya
Grace is a co-investigator and the intermediary between the Kenya team, and the Kenya advisors and key stakeholders, leading on engagement and dissemination.
Kenyan research assistants & teachers
Stephen Kuom
Research assistant
Caroline Wanjiru
Research assistant
Dennis Wachira
Research assistant
Robert Lochiam
Research assistant
John Lolo
Research assistant
Nancy Gathigia
ECDE teacher
Veronica Muthoni
ECDE teacher
Zambia Team Members
University of Zambia, Zambia
Dr. Haatembo Mooya
Head of Department and Lecturer in Psychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Haatembo is a co-investigator and the senior investigator for the Zambia site, overseeing all aspects of the project, supervising project personnel, managing grant fund use, and mentoring Barnabas.
Dr. Barnabas Simatende
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Psychology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Barnabas is the local coordinator for the Zambia site, supervising assistants, supporting teachers to develop networks, managing data collection, leading dissemination, and liaising with schools, officials, advisors and stakeholders.
Zambian research assistants & teachers
Nchimunya Simatende
Research assistant
Inonge Mooto
Research assistant
Josias Gabriel Muuba
Research assistant
Billy Simalambo
Research assistant
Nabita Nabita
Research assistant
Moses Mubita
ECDE teacher
Cynthia Miyanda Siloka
ECDE teacher
Josephine Musialela
ECDE teacher
Dorothy Silishebo
ECDE teacher
UK Team Members
Aston University, United Kingdom: Lead Research Organisation
University of Sheffield, United Kingdom
Reader in Psychology at the College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK
Laura is Principal Investigator and the senior investigator for the language development aspect of the project.
Director of Applied Health Research Group at the College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK
Claire is a co-investigator and the senior investigator for the mealtime and nutrition aspect of the project.
Lecturer at the College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK
Megan is a nutrition expert collaborating on all nutrition aspects of the project, and overseeing dietary data collection and analysis.
Reader in Cognitive Development at the Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, UK
Danielle is a co-investigator and language development expert collaborating on all language aspects of the project, and assisting with the analysis of language development and coding of naturalistic interaction.
Dr. Ciara Kelly
Research Associate at the School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
Ciara is a language development expert leading on the development of a coding scheme to explore the quality and quantity of language during mealtimes, and overseeing the coding of communication during naturalistic interaction.
Dr. Jeofrey Mtemeri
Research Associate at the College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, UK
Jeofrey joined our team in early 2023 and will focus on data analysis and lead on writing up and disseminating our results.
Dr. Rehema Abiyo
PostDoctoral Research Fellow
Building on her experience with other literacy projects, Rehema will be supporting the design of educational resources and lead on community engagement in both Kenya and Zambia.