Eucharia Uranta-Okonkwo

PhD Candidate, Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies, Project Liaison Consultant and Teaching Assistant, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
I am an accomplished International Development Consultant, Gender Specialist, and Doctoral Candidate at the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies. With over 12 years of experience in gender advocacy, educational reform, and humanitarian initiatives, my work spans both academic and professional realms, focusing on improving educational access and quality for marginalized communities, particularly refugee learners.

My doctoral research is dedicated to enhancing post-secondary education for Nigerian refugees in Niger through open pedagogies, aiming to create inclusive, accessible, and learner-centered environments. I collaborate with the Connected Learning in Crisis Consortium (CLCC) and the UNHCR, having contributed significantly to the development of resources like the Connected Learning Playbook, which supports educational access for displaced populations globally.

Before my PhD, I worked extensively in emergency response and gender advocacy, including roles with UNICEF as a Child Protection Specialist (Gender Based Violence in Emergencies) and Country Program Manager for Farm Radio International in Nigeria. I have led impactful programs to amplify voices of local farmers, promote gender equity, and address urgent needs in conflict-affected areas.

In addition to my experience as a part-time professor and teaching assistant at the University of Ottawa, I also consult with the World Refugee and Migration Council on the Voices Project, where I provide technical guidance and advocacy support for Activists in Exile in Canada. My background, coupled with my active research in education and gender equality, closely aligns with the Conversation’s mission of promoting truthful information and unlocking the rich diversity of academic research.