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Associate Professor Samuel Ouma Oyoo is senior faculty member at the School of Education, Maseno University, Maseno, KENYA; he is also a Research Fellow at the Department of Science and Technology Education, College of Education, University of South Africa (Unisa), Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA. Immediately prior to joining Unisa as a Research Fellow, Samuel was a Professor (Associate) of Science Education at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA; he had also served as a Visiting Professor of Science Education between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018 at Egerton University, Njoro, KENYA.

He graduated with a PhD in Education from the Faculty of Education, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia in 2005 after authoring a PhD thesis entitled ‘Effective Teaching of Science: The Impact of Physics Teachers’ Classroom Language.’ Previously, Samuel graduated with a MEd with Distinction in Science Education from the University of Leeds, England, UK and with an Honours Bachelor of Education Degree in the First Class from The University of Nottingham, England, UK.

Samuel joined the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Education in March 2010 as a Senior Lecturer in Science Education from Kenya's Maseno University, where he taught Educational Technology and Special Methods in Physics at Undergraduate level, and Educational Research Methods and Pedagogy (Physics Education) courses at postgraduate level. He had previously served as an Assistant Professor [Science Education and Educational Research] at the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development Eastern Africa, located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where his responsibilities included leading and teaching Science Education Courses as well as units in the Introduction to Educational Inquiry and Research Methods Courses in the Master of Education programme.

At Wits School of Education, Samuel taught physics and physics-related courses to undergraduate and postgraduate student teachers; he also was the convenor of SCED 7011: Language and Communication in Science Education, a course component of the MSc (Science and Mathematics Education) programme.

Samuel’s current research covers the general area of Education with a focus on language (discourse and semantics) issues in effective teaching and learning of school science in general but physics and chemistry in particular. He has supervised and continues to supervise Honours, Masters and PhD research studies in this area of research focus.

Samuel serves as a referee for a number of academic journals including Research in Science Education (RISE), International Journal of Science Education (IJSE), Journal of Research in Science Teaching [JRST], Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice [TTTP], Education as Change, Africa Education Review [AER], The African Journal for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education [ARJMSTE], and the International Journal of Learning: Annual Review, among others.

He has published extensively in international peer reviewed outlets including in the ISI listed journal, Research in Science Education. Samuel holds two journal awards: International Award for Excellence in the area of Literacy and Education and the Pippa Stein Award for Excellence in Educational Research in Africa.

Samuel has also been the Outreach Coordinator (ExCo member) and National Representative for South Africa for the International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching - ISATT. He is the current the International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching [ISATT]'s National Representative for Kenya as well as a member of the ISATT Executive Committee on the Member at Large position.

Prof Oyoo is, by invitation, a member of the Editorial Board of the Research in Science Education [RISE] journal of the Australasian Science Education Research Association [ASERA] and Africa Educational Review [AER] journal. He similarly, is an Associate Editor of Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice [TTTP] journal by the International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching [ISATT].

Experience

  • 2019–present
    Faculty member, Maseno University
  • 2019–present
    Research Fellow, Science and Technology Education, University of South Africa (Unisa)
  • 2015–2018
    Associate Professor, Science Education, University of the Witwatersrand
  • 2018–2018
    Visiting Professor of Science Education, Egerton University, Kenya
  • 2010–2015
    Senior Lecturer in Science Education, University of the Witwatersrand
  • 2008–2010
    Lecturer, Maseno University
  • 2006–2008
    Assistant Professor, Aga Khan University, Tanzania

Education

  • 2005 
    Monash University, Australia, PhD (Education)
  • 2000 
    University of Leeds, United Kingdom, MEd (Science Education) with Distinction
  • 1999 
    The University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, BEd (Honours) in the First Class

Publications

  • 2020
    Social Dynamics, 1
  • 2017
    Research in Science Education, 1
  • 2012
    Research in Science Education, 1
  • 2010
    International Journal of Learning: Annual Review, 4
  • 2009
    Electronic Journal of Literacy Through Science, 1
  • 2007
    International Journal of Learning: Annual Review, 1

Grants and Contracts

  • 2018
    Competitive Programme for Rated Researchers
    Role:
    1
    Funding Source:
    NRF South Africa
  • 2017
    Incentive Funding
    Role:
    1
    Funding Source:
    NRF South Africa

Professional Memberships

  • International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching [ISATT]
  • Southern Africa Association for Research in Mathematics Science and Technology Education [SAARMSTE]
  • Australasian Science Education Research Association [ASERA]

Honours

Pippa Stein Award for Excellence in Educational Research in Africa