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

Dina Kurmanayeva | Education | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Dina Kurmanayeva | Education | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor | L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University | Kazakhstan

Dr. Dina Kurmanayeva Kassymbekovna is a researcher in foreign language education specializing in innovative technologies for language teaching, academic writing, intercultural communication, and the integration of national and regional cultural content into EFL instruction. Her scholarly work addresses reflective teaching practices, students’ challenges in using English academic sources, culture-based learning materials, assessment strategies, and the impact of artificial intelligence on self-directed learning. She has authored journal articles, course books, and a monograph published in reputable academic outlets. Her research impact includes 11 scholarly documents, 38 citations across 37 documents, and an h-index of 3, reflecting sustained contributions to higher education pedagogy.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

40

30

20

10

0

Citations 38

Documents 11

h-index 3
             🟦 Citations        🟥 Documents        🟩 h-index

View Scopus Profile
View Orcid Profile

Featured Publications


Exploring the Development of Reflective Culture in Teachers and Future Teachers

– International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 2025

Pedagogical Reflection as a Key Component of Teacher Professional Development

– Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Innovative Approaches to Teaching Foreign Languages in Higher Education

– International Journal of Applied Linguistics

Developing Intercultural Competence Through Language Education

– Journal of Language and Cultural Education

Reflective Practices in Teacher Education: Theory and Classroom Application

– Higher Education Studies

Amoni Kitooke | Educational Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Amoni Kitooke | Educational Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Doctoral Researcher at University of Borås | Sweden

Amoni Kitooke is a Ugandan scholar and doctoral researcher in Educational Sciences at the University of Borås and Lund University, Sweden, focusing on community-oriented praxis in teacher education. His research interests center on educational transformation, social justice, decolonial pedagogy, and the integration of community perspectives into teacher preparation. Holding a master’s degree in Educational Research from the University of Gothenburg and a background in English language and literature education, his work critically examines cross-cultural research, researcher positionality, and professional learning in higher education. Kitooke has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference papers that have contributed to global discussions on participatory and transformative education. His scholarly impact is reflected in Scopus with three citations by three documents across four publications and an h-index of one, while his Google Scholar profile shows eighty citations since 2020, with an h-index of four and an i10-index of two. He has presented his research at prominent international conferences and workshops across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Before pursuing his doctoral studies, he held leadership positions at the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda, where he coordinated programs on cultural heritage, education, and human rights advocacy. Kitooke’s academic and professional journey demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing inclusive and community-based educational practices, with a particular emphasis on equity, intercultural understanding, and sustainable social change through education.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Pandya, J. Z., Mora, R. A., Alford, J. H., Golden, N. A., & De Roock, R. S. (2022). The handbook of critical literacies.

Reimer, K. E., Kaukko, M., Windsor, S., Mahon, K., & Kemmis, S. (2023). Living well in a world worth living in for all: Volume 1: Current practices of social justice, sustainability and wellbeing.

Windsor, S., & Kitooke, A. (2023). Practices and experiences in educational researcher training: Reflections from research students exploring the theme, living well in a world worth living in during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Living well in a world worth living in for all: Volume 1: Current practices of social justice, sustainability and wellbeing.

Kitooke, A. (2021). The expulsion of pregnant students in Uganda: Teacher perspectives on a contravention of ‘Education for All’.

Kaya, J., & Kitooke, A. (2021). Critical literacy in Uganda and Congo: The urgency of decolonizing curricula. In J. Z. Pandya, R. A. Mora, J. H. Alford, N. A. Golden, & R. S. De Roock (Eds.), The handbook of critical literacies (pp. 297–304).

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.