Ciriaka Gitonga

Background

About Ciriaka Gitonga

Extensive Research Leadership: Principal Investigator for multiple funded research projects totalling millions of Kenyan shillings, including studies on parental empowerment in early childhood education, youth employability through career mapping, children’s voices on climate change, and justice administration bottlenecks. Diverse Research Topics: Expertise spans educational psychology, career development, child protection, disability studies, psychosocial effects of trauma, and curriculum reform. Strong Publication Record: Authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and academic conference papers on themes such as personality types and career satisfaction, gender and education, child protection, and inclusive education. Postgraduate Supervision: Supervised over 30 graduate theses and dissertations across education, psychology, and social sciences at doctoral and master’s levels, focusing on leadership, occupational consistency, academic achievement, child abuse, and personality influences on behaviour. Conference Leadership: Regular presenter and keynote speaker at national and international conferences, notably on education reform, child protection, and decolonising education. Editorial Roles: Editor for conference proceedings and interdisciplinary academic journals related to African child development and education. Policy Development: Lead consultant for the development of comprehensive school policies and child protection policies for reputable institutions. Capacity Building: Lead consultant for vocational development and inclusive education capacity-building projects, including work in Somaliland for persons with disabilities. Peer Reviewing: Active peer reviewer for the Commission for University Education, contributing to quality assurance and standards in higher education. Collaborations with NGOs and Foundations: Worked with organisations like LUMOS Foundation and International AIDS Services on projects supporting children with disabilities and vulnerable populations. Leadership in Education Quality Assurance: Directed quality assurance initiatives in university campuses and contributed to institutional accreditation processes.