Samwel is a seasoned researcher with 20 years of expertise in grant and project management, covering gender, governance, and public policy. His career has involved leading multi-country research programs and providing technical direction in academia and NGOs in a rare mix of theory and practice. This comes with a strong commitment to rigorous, ethical research aimed at real-world impact, particularly in mainstreaming participatory approaches for inclusivity and equality.
Before joining PASGR, Samwel was the Research Manager at Tanager, where he implemented the Impacting Gender & Nutrition through Innovative Technical Exchange in Agriculture (IGNITE) project, enhancing collaboration across 35 African institutions in agriculture spread across 16 countries. His work involved the co-creation of in-depth mixed-methods research and lean data surveys that fostered innovative studies with various partners across the continent. Previously, he served as a Research Coordinator and Quality Assurance Officer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), where he gained much credibility in field research focused on policy influence and uptake.
Samwel holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand. He is an adjunct professor at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, USIU-Africa, and has published numerous articles in social science, in addition to extensive hands-on consultancy experience. He is well equipped to effectively provide technical advisory services, training, and mentoring research teams. His strong interpersonal skills enable him to build valuable relationships with policy actors and institutions within both the African and international research communities. At PASGR, he is well-placed to contribute strong leadership in policy research, insightful analytical skills, and the capacity to foster collaboration and consensus among colleagues and partners. Outside of work, Samwel enjoys retreating to his village home, and he has a passion for music, swimming, fishing, and traveling.