Program
Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies – Global Studies Theme
Research Supervisor
Dr. Laura Meek
Hometown
Nairobi, Kenya
Awards
- Graduate Dean’s Student Leadership Award
- UBC Okanagan Graduate Researcher Scholarships (2023/24 and 2024/25)
- 2025 UBC Okanagan 3 Minute Thesis Competition – Second Place and People’s Choice in the FASS Faculty Heat
- 2024 UBC Okanagan 3 Minute Competition – First Place in the FASS Faculty Heat
What inspires you about your research?
The title of my Research is: Evaluating the mandate of the United Nations as it applies to Africa: Is the United Nations failing in its duty to the African continent?
My work aims to evaluate the response and conduct of the United Nations in African countries, examining their capabilities in providing humanitarian assistance, sanctioning parties responsible for conflict, and protecting the resources of the country in question. I am specifically studying the role of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan as a comparative case study analysis. This research has the capability of changing how we evaluate intergovernmental organizations and how countries considered smaller or developing can navigate foreign relations in ways that are not oppressive or diminishing in nature. If the UN’s limitations are inherent to its very design, this might push us to explore other alternatives that do not always circulate back to reform. I want to highlight that there are more possibilities for Africa than what the world has carved out for us, and we are not bound to follow a path created by the very people who sought to oppress us in the first place.
The inspiration for this thesis came from the extensive education and experience I gained living in an African country and watching how the world saw us and treated us. To see many nations struggle, but also see institutions that placed themselves above us and are capable of ‘saving’ us, yet unable to do just that. It forced me to question why we even relied on these institutions in the first place if we never seemed to reap the benefits of our allegiance to them.
Please describe how your awards have impacted your academic and/or research endeavours
My Graduate Researcher Scholarship Awards were a wonderful financial assistance as I embarked on my new academic journey as a master’s student. With this financial relief I have been able to afford pursuing my studies without worry of financial strain.
The UBCO 3MT Competition allowed me to hone my presentation skills and dissect my thesis to its simplest form. Dissecting my thesis to its simplest form allowed me to stay on track with my research and writing. Many times taking on a big body of work, such as a thesis, can overwhelm the mind and easily make you lose focus on your initial goals. I remember the first time I entered the competition, I was still working on my thesis proposal, but was so frustrated as I kept being told that my topic was too big a concept to tackle in a master’s thesis! Yet, by being challenged to provide a tangible explanation of my potential thesis in three minutes, I was able to discover the niche categories that I could research and fit into a body of work that makes a master’s thesis!
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
This is a two-part answer for me. To begin, it is my dream career to become a professor who specializes in African politics and therefore requires me to pursue my academics to the highest stage possible. However, I have come to develop a fondness for research despite the painstaking labour it requires. To have the opportunity to put my thoughts, my morals, and my principles into action and also be a representative to so many things is a wonderful opportunity. I know the value of education and I am eternally grateful to come from a family that focused so much on it! From my grandmother, who is part of the first generation of black women pursuing higher education in an independent country, to me, who has the privilege to acquire more academic accolades. I understand that part of the fight was to always better the next generation and that is what this master’s means to me.
Why did you choose to come to UBC Okanagan and study?
UBC had come and done a presentation back at home in my high school and I was absolutely enamoured by the campus. While my undergrad degree (PPE) is only offered at the Okanagan campus, I was excited to explore a small city, as I have always lived in a big one (I live in the capital of Kenya – Nairobi). Once I finished in 2023, I decided to do my master’s and I happily chose Kelowna again, as I had built a good rapport with my professors, the university community, and had made many friends.
Where do you hope your degree/research will take you next?
I hope my research and degree will take me to exciting new career opportunities within academia! I hope thereafter to pursue my PhD.
Please share a little bit about yourself.
I am an international student, born and raised in Kenya. I came to Kelowna in 2019 to do my undergraduate degree and have been here since then–now pursuing my master’s. For fun, I like exploring the local stores to support small businesses and seeing new sights or activities that will pop up each season. Something that surprised me is how much I love swimming in the lakes in the summer (in spite of never doing this before and being quite skeptical about it). I love travelling as well! Its my goal to visit at least 2 countries in all 7 continents! I also love meeting friends and planning social events.
To relax, I love curating playlists that cater to the mood I want and then either taking a walk or lying in my bed and listening to them. I also love talking to my family and long-distance friends; sometimes binge-watching shows with them on a Netflix party.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Do not be so hard on yourself in the first year. Especially for research students — many of us come with a research project prepared, then feel frustrated that as the year develops, your original idea may not align with what you have now learnt. Take this year as an opportunity to learn more and also face rejection as you prepare for your research year.
Also, attend as many social events as possible! It will be so hard to meet people in your second year, unlike your first one, so try and go out as much as possible. Do not be afraid to build community ‘cause they will really come through for you when you need it most.