School of Social and Political Science

Background

I serve as a Social Work Lecturer at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Edinburgh (UoE). Before my tenure at UoE, I occupied similar roles at Edinburgh Napier University and Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. My academic credentials include a PhD in Social Work from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc in Social Work and Human Rights from the University of Gothenburg. Additionally, I am recognised as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK.

My scholarly work is dedicated to the health needs and challenges faced by forced migrants and refugees. My recent publications, which derive from research in these domains, span a variety of topics. These include the repercussions of climate change on migration and health within the African milieu, resilience and vulnerability in refugee contexts, the gender-specific aspects of health and gender-based violence among refugee populations, adolescent sexual conduct and reproductive health requirements, as well as the socioeconomic and psychosocial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban refugees in Uganda. Furthermore, I explore the mental health consequences of COVID-19 on refugees and the pandemic's influence on women's rights and welfare. My objective is to harness interdisciplinary insights and diverse methodologies to elevate the narratives of marginalised communities, especially forced migrants and refugees.

My advocacy extends to those on the peripheries of society, inspiring my involvement in initiatives that offer alternatives to street life for children in Kampala. In a recent collaborative effort, I investigated the global challenges faced by low and middle-income countries (LMICs), focusing on the accessibility of HIV/AIDS and TB care for refugees amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I am also an active participant in the Global Refugee Health Research Network (GHRN), a joint venture between UoE and UWS.

In addition, I have recently undertaken consultancy and research work to assess a project initiated by the Royal Tropical Institute of the Netherlands (KIT). This project's mission is to champion the cause of preventing maternal mortality and morbidity in Uganda, stemming from unsafe abortion practices.

PhD students

I am actively seeking out Ph.D. students who are eager to pursue interdisciplinary research at the intersection of health and forced migration from a variety of global perspectives. My specific focus areas include forced migration, refugees, asylum seekers, international social work, health needs and services, and human rights.