Co-PI Researcher: Dr. Pamela Wadende, PhD

The project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), explores how mealtimes can be used to improve language development, nutrition, and the alignment between home and school in rural Kenya and Zambia. Running from 2020 to 2024, the project is led by Dr. Laura Shapiro (Aston University) with Dr. Pamela Wadende (Kenya) and Dr. Haatembo Moya (Zambia) as co-investigators. The initiative focuses on Early Childhood Education and Development (ECDE) programs, where local teachers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between home and school. The research aims to identify practices at home that benefit language development and nutrition, particularly for girls, who are often disadvantaged in terms of nutrition. By empowering ECDE teachers and parents to share best practices and observe mealtime behaviours, the project seeks to improve the quality of language exposure and ensure that girls receive more nutritious meals, ultimately contributing to their educational and nutritional advancement.