Meet the authors

Professor Anne Adams,Director of Knowledge Exchange, Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University

Professor Adams is chair for engaged practice and research and director for knowledge exchange at The Open University, previously professional development director and director for knowledge exchange at the Centre for Policing Research and Learning. She has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and a large-scale international research portfolio providing extensive collaborative interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange experience (e.g. Microsoft, BT, Canon, Google, NHS) producing award-winning outputs (e.g. WISE Award presented by HRH The Princess Royal).

Professor Giles Mohan, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The Open University

Giles has been Professor of International Development at The Open University since 2011. His research has largely focused on the challenges facing Africa, and he is particularly interested in ‘new’ actors in African development, and the threats and opportunities they offer for the continent. This has led to work on structural adjustment, participatory development, diasporas and development, and most recently China’s engagement with Africa. Giles has also sought to engage with learning beyond universities and he has worked with the BBC on TV programmes about development, as well as working with African and international NGOs on various capacity-building and training initiatives.

Abiola George, PhD Researcher, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, School of Social Studies and Global Studies, The Open University

Abiola George is a member of the Network of Migration Research on Africa (NOMRA, Nigeria) team and a postgraduate researcher in the Development, Policy and Practice (DPP) group at The Open University. She is returning to academia after 20 years working in finance, project management and human capital development, serving clients in the Nigerian private and public sectors. Her research interests lie broadly in issues around women and development in Africa.

Dr. Linda Adhiambo Oucho, Executive Director, African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC), Kenya

Dr. Oucho is a seasoned migration researcher in Eastern Africa, leading an independent research think tank that conducts policy-based research focused on migration and development issues affecting countries within the region. She leads research on the migration/development nexus, diaspora contributions to development, internal migration as well as supports the national government to understand its migration profile and data using existing research. She has worked with a number of international organisations including IOM, FAO, UNDP and IDRC among others. Dr. Oucho is a Migration, Research and Publishing High-Level Adviser for the International Organisation for Migration as well as an editorial board member of a number of journals including the International Migration Journal and the Scalibrini Institute for Human Mobility's publications.

Ms. Natalie Chimwemwe Chaponda, Project Administrator, The African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC), Kenya

Ms. Natalie Chaponda is a project administrator at the African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC). She has over six years' experience in the field of research and a demonstrated history of coordinating and facilitating different project activities with various organisations such as: the International Development Research Centre (IRDC), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and The Open University. She has a proven track record, liaising with stakeholders at all levels and building strong professional relationships with colleagues and partners. Her strengths are in project administration, coordination, research and logistical support.

Omolola Olarinde, Economics Lecturer, Elizade University, Nigeria

Omolola Olarinde lectures in Economics at the Elizade University and is a Research Fellow of the Network of Migration Research on Africa. She is well published on migration governance, remittances and migration development policies and strategies. Her international consultancy experience conducting migration research on Africa covers mixed migration, forced migration and migration governance (UNHCR, ILO, Arnold-Bergstraessed Institute). She is the managing editor of the Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy.

Ms. Felicity Okoth, Research Associate, The African Migration and Development Policy Centre (AMADPOC), Kenya

Felicity Okoth is a Research Associate at the African Migration and Development Policy Centre and is currently working on two projects namely, ‘Migration for Inclusive African Growth’ and ‘Inclusive Migration policy though Evidence Cafés’, both led by The Open University. Felicity is also a Tutorial Fellow at Moi University (Kenya) where she teaches International and Intercultural Communication courses while pursuing her PhD which explores refugee livelihoods from an intercultural communication standpoint.