DUNCAN SHIKUKU | Educational Innovation in Science | Best Researcher Award

Mr DUNCAN SHIKUKU, LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE, Kenya

🍼 Duncan Shikuku is an accomplished Midwifery & Women’s Health Specialist, Educator, and Researcher with 10+ years of experience. Currently a Senior Technical Officer and PhD student in Global Health at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, his research focuses on improving pre-service midwifery education in Kenya and low- and middle-income countries. He has implemented complex maternal, newborn, and child health programs for LSTM, Save the Children International, and Moi University. Duncan has collaborated with UNFPA, WHO, and the International Confederation of Midwives to develop midwifery education resources. 🌍👶📚

Publication profile

google scholar

Education

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Global Health at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (expected June 2024) 🎓🌍. Earned an Associate Fellowship from Advance Higher Education, United Kingdom, in February 2023 🏅📚. Graduated with First Class Honors in MSc. Nursing (Midwifery & Women’s Health) from Makerere University, Uganda, in February 2017 🏥👶. Completed a BSc. Nursing (BSc.N) at Moi University, Eldoret, in December 2009 🎓🏥. Achieved top student status in Kakamega District/County with an A (plain) in K.C.S.E from Ingotse High School in 2004 🏅📘. Scored 512/700 marks in K.C.P.E from Ebumamu Primary School in 1999 📚🏆.

Experience

As the technical and operational lead, He spearheaded in-service and pre-service training & mentorship for the Kenya 4-year UKAID funded Reducing Maternal and Newborn Deaths Programme, the 3-year Johnson and Johnson Foundation funded CPD programme for nursing/midwifery educators, and the 3-year UNFPA funded Midwifery Educator Faculty Strengthening in Kenya. My role included providing technical oversight and support to the Ministry of Health, Nursing Council of Kenya, Clinical Officers Council, Kenya Medical Training College, and county governments. I developed midwifery CPD modules for Kenya and other low- and middle-income countries, managed project data, designed study protocols and surveys, and disseminated findings for informed decision-making. 📊📚🤱🌍

Awards

Awarded the best poster presentation at the 2021 Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Postgraduate Research Students Conference (International Public Health & Clinical Sciences Departments) 🏆. Recipient of the prestigious INTRA-ACP Mobility Scholarship at Makerere University, Uganda (2014-2016) 🎓✈️. Achieved the top student accolade in Kakamega District during the 2003 national Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 🏅📚.

Research focus

Dr. DN Shikuku’s research focuses on maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services in Kenya. Their studies investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health service utilization and outcomes, neonatal resuscitation practices, and immunization strategies in hard-to-reach areas. Dr. Shikuku also explores factors influencing caesarean section rates, fetal death reduction through clinical mentorship, and the enhancement of midwifery educators’ capacity. Their work emphasizes improving healthcare quality and access, particularly in rural and underserved communities, through innovative and evidence-based approaches. 🌍👶👩‍⚕️🔬📈