Zibah Nwako and Afua Twum-Danso Imoh

Dr. Zibah Nwako is a postdoctoral researcher, trainer, consultant and visiting lecturer. Based at the University of Bristol, she obtained a Master’s degree on Educational Leadership, Policy and Development followed by a PhD that researched the welfare and wellbeing of female students in Africa through a postcolonial feminist lens. She is also interested in non-formal and life-wide community learning practices; and engages with young people using participatory methodologies and creative methods. Zibah’s career spans over 30 years of experience in both academia and industry. She worked as a Programme Manager for European Union educators’ visits and exchanges at the British Council; and as a Co-ordinator of out-of-school clubs and nurseries in London. She is a licensed trainer for women’s personal development programmes in the UK and sub-Saharan Africa, and provides consultancy services to educational institutions, small businesses and international non-governmental organisations. Currently focused on researching and developing sustainable futures for adolescent girls and young women in Africa, Zibah also provides mentoring and training in life skills and youth entrepreneurship. She is Co-Director of Doing A PhD In Africa, a community of doctoral students on the continent and in Africa's diasporas. She writes blog posts and short publications; and is an active member of several academic and industry networks. Drawing upon an interdisciplinary background, Afua's research focuses on: children’s rights and social and cultural norms; parent-child relations and the implications for children’s wellbeing and rights; the impact of historical developments and more recent social changes on constructions of childhood and child rearing practices; and children’s participatory rights with a focus on trying to move beyond discursive forms of participation. Much of this research has concentrated on Ghana and Nigeria. Afua holds a BA (Hons) degree in History and Sociology from the University of Manchester (UK), a MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics (UK) and a PhD in African Studies from the University of Birmingham (UK).