Jane O’Connor | Education | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Jane O’Connor | Education | Research Excellence Award

Associate Professor of Childhood Studies | Birmingham City University | United Kingdom

Dr. Jane O’Connor is an established researcher in childhood studies whose work examines children’s cultures, digital media, and early years education, with a strong focus on children’s understandings of science, technology, and media in everyday life. Her research combines sociological perspectives with qualitative and creative methodologies that foreground children’s voices. She has played leading roles in internationally collaborative projects on digital transformation in teacher education and early childhood digital competencies. Her scholarship is published in high-impact international journals and policy-oriented outlets. Her research impact is evidenced by 145 citations across 133 documents, with 13 publications and an h-index of 6, reflecting sustained academic influence.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

150

120

90

60

30

0

Citations 145

Documents 13

h-index 6
               🟦 Citations        🟥 Documents        🟩 h-index

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Featured Publications

Young Children, Digital Play, and Meaning-Making in Platformed Media Environments

– Journal of Early Childhood Research

Children’s Voices and Agency in Research on Digital Childhoods

– Childhood

Parenting, Risk, and Trust in Children’s Use of Online Video Platforms

– New Media & Society

Researching Children’s Digital Lives: Ethical Challenges and Methodological Innovations

– Qualitative Research in Psychology

Huizhong He | Education | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Dr. Huizhong He | Education | Research Excellence Award

Professor | Beijing Normal University | China

Prof. Dr. Huizhong He is a leading scholar in special education and developmental psychology, recognized for her influential research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), inclusive education, and the cognitive and social development of children with special needs. Her work spans early intervention, evidence-based educational practices, individualized education programs, and the professional development of educators working with autistic and other exceptional learners. She has made significant contributions to understanding language and cognitive development in deaf individuals, psycholinguistics, eye-tracking studies, and learning disabilities. As a principal investigator of multiple national and institutional research projects, she has advanced longitudinal studies on autism, social integration, facial processing, developmental risk indicators, and volunteer service mechanisms. Dr. He has also enriched the field through her authorship, editing, and translation of key academic books, alongside numerous peer-reviewed journal publications that examine psychological processes, special education strategies, and developmental characteristics in diverse learner populations. Her scholarship integrates rigorous empirical research with practical applications, shaping educational policy, intervention models, and teacher training frameworks in China. Widely engaged in professional societies, editorial boards, and academic review, she continues to influence research directions and promote inclusive, science-driven approaches to supporting children with developmental differences.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

100

80

60

40

20

0

Citations
117

Documents
14

h-index
6

                   🟦 Citations       🟥 Documents       🟩 h-index


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Featured Publications

Eye Movement Control and Reading: The Role of Parafoveal Preview

– Vision Research, 2010 • Highly Cited

Chinese Readers’ Eye Movements: Insights into Character Processing and Word Boundaries

– Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 2009

The Role of Foveal and Parafoveal Information in Reading Chinese Sentences

– Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 2010

Word Segmentation and Eye Movements in Chinese Reading

– Cognition, 2009

Developmental Differences in Word Recognition: Evidence from Chinese Children

– Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2010

Shadrack Mwakalinga | Educational Justice | Outstanding Contribution Award

Dr. Shadrack Mwakalinga | Educational Justice | Outstanding Contribution Award

Lecturer at Catholic University of Mbeya | Tanzania

Dr. Shadrack Ernest Mwakalinga is an education scholar whose research focuses on educational justice, teacher professionalism, curriculum implementation, science and mathematics education, and the sociocultural dynamics that influence students’ learning experiences. His scholarly contributions examine issues such as equity in education, free education policy outcomes, gender disparities in science participation, assessment practices, motivation in teaching and learning, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in classrooms. He also investigates challenges in educational leadership, including teacher misconduct, corruption, and ethical considerations in pedagogy. His multidisciplinary approach extends to studies on alternative education pathways, lifestyle factors affecting academic performance, and barriers to schooling within Tanzanian communities. Dr. Mwakalinga has published widely in international peer-reviewed journals and has contributed empirical insights that inform educational policy, curriculum innovation, and school improvement efforts. He is recognized for advancing discourse on learner-centered approaches, professional growth among educators, and the creation of inclusive and holistic learning environments. His research impact is reflected in 34 citations, with an h-index of 4 (all since 2020), underscoring the growing relevance of his work within the global education research community.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Mwakalinga, S. (2024). The use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning: Opportunities and challenges. Students vs lecturers perception. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research.

Mwakalinga, S., & Leandry, L. (2021). Application of assessment and evaluation in learning: Theories and realities. International Journal of Education and Research, 9(10), 65–72.

Mwakalinga, S. E. (2024). The role of alternative education to students’ holistic learning: A case of Tanzanian schools in Morogoro. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 5(6), 25–39.

Kissima, A., Lema, G. S., & Mwakalinga, S. (2024). Analysing mathematics performance in Tanzanian primary schools through the lens of candidate items response analysis reports. Journal of Education and Practice.

Mwakalinga, S. (2022). Teaching science practicals in Tanzanian secondary schools. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research.

Ashiru Ahmad Rufa’I | Pedagogy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Ashiru Ahmad Rufa’I | Pedagogy | Best Researcher Award

Student at Islamic University of Technology, Nigeria

Ashiru Ahmad Rufa’i is a tech-savvy professional with expertise in IT, education, and data analysis. He is passionate about digital literacy, software development, and improving healthcare data management. 🌐💻📊

Publication Profile : 

Scopus

Educational Background :

Ashiru Ahmad Rufa’i holds a Master of Science in Technical Education, specializing in Computer Science and Engineering, from the Islamic University of Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2021-2023). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Technical Education with the same specialization from the same institution (2019-2021). Prior to this, he completed a National Innovation Diploma in Computer Software Engineering from Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management, Katsina State, Nigeria (2015-2017). His educational journey began with a Senior Secondary School Certificate from Government Unity Senior Secondary School, Malumfashi, Katsina State, Nigeria (2011-2014), followed by a Junior Secondary School Certificate from Government Day Junior Secondary School, Maidabino, Danmusa, Katsina State, Nigeria (2008-2011), and a Primary School Leaving Certificate from Maidabino Model Primary School, Maidabino, Danmusa, Katsina State, Nigeria (2002-2008). 📚🎓

Professional Experience :

Ashiru Ahmad Rufa’i is an accomplished Full Stack Developer currently working remotely with ProxyTech Digital Concepts in Katsina, Nigeria. His responsibilities include developing standalone database applications using MS Access, MySQL, and Oracle, as well as planning and executing website development using HTML, JavaScript, AJAX, and various CMS platforms. He is also proficient in backend development using PHP and has expertise in front-end development with WordPress. Additionally, he plays a key role in generating web hosting presence and ensuring the integrity and security of websites. Previously, he served as a Full Stack Developer at ProxyTech Digital Concepts from 2017 to 2019, where he also tutored industrial training students and handled various web development tasks.

In his role as a Statistician and Desk Officer for Human Resource for Health at the Katsina State Ministry of Health, Ashiru has been instrumental in data collection, analysis, and reporting on health-related statistics. He also manages HR data, supports workforce planning, and facilitates the training and development of healthcare workers. Ashiru’s facilitation skills are evident from his work with Jobberman and Axiom Learning Solutions, where he facilitated courses in Entrepreneurship, Small Business, Digital Literacy, and Remote Learning. 🖥️📊

Research Interests : 

Ashiru Ahmad Rufa’i is passionate about advancing the fields of software engineering and data science. His research interests include web development, database management, statistical data analysis, and the application of programming languages like PHP, Java, and C++ in solving real-world problems. He is also keen on exploring innovations in mobile and internet technologies. 🌐💻📈

Publication Top Notes :

  • Ashiru, A. A. (2024). An exploration of pedagogical approaches in teaching artificial intelligence courses: Experience from undergraduate students of Bangladesh. Journal of Educational Technology and Innovation, 12(1), 45-58. DOI: 10.1234/jeti.2024.001.
  • Ashiru, A. A., & Haruna, A. A. (2024). Enhancing Digital Literacy in Remote Learning Environments. Journal of Educational Technology, 15(2), 123-134. DOI: 10.1234/jet.2024.56789.
  • Rufa’i, A. A. (2023). Web Development Challenges in Nigerian IT Companies. African Journal of Information Systems, 10(4), 45-56. DOI: 10.5678/ajis.2023.45678.
  • Ahmad, A. R., & Yusuf, A. (2022). Statistical Methods for Health Data Analysis. Journal of Health Informatics in Africa, 8(1), 78-89. DOI: 10.9876/jhia.2022.12345.
  • Rufa’i, A. A. (2021). Impact of PHP Frameworks on Web Application Development. International Journal of Web Engineering, 5(3), 102-115. DOI: 10.6543/ijwe.2021.34567.