UON lecturer Dr Socrates Majune honoured as a young outstanding researcher

Dr. Socrates Majune, a young University of Nairobi lecturer, received the National Young Outstanding Researcher award during the inaugural Kenya National Research Festival.

The 34-year-old lecturer received recognition during a research festival held by the Kenya National Research Fund, UK Aid, and the British Council.

He was honored alongside fellow researchers from the University of Nairobi and other institutions.

“It is usually humbling to be honored by your country! I am glad to receive the National Outstanding Young Researcher Award from the National Research Fund (NRF) Kenya. This is an appreciation of research skills built for over a decade, of course, with collaborations with researchers and opportunities offered by organizations. For this reason, I am indebted to all my co-authors, my employer, the University of Nairobi, the WTO, AERC, AFEA, and organizations that have offered me opportunities in different roles. @NRF, thank you very much for the recognition,” Dr Socrates Majune.

Professor Ratemo Michieka, Chairperson of the National Research Fund, and UON Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Hutchinson gave the award to his sister Brenda Majune, who accepted on his behalf.

Majune described the award as humbling adding that he was glad to be honoured as the National Outstanding Young Researcher.

“This is an appreciation of research skills built for over a decade, of course, with collaborations with researchers and opportunities offered by organizations,” he said.

“For this reason, I am indebted to all my co-authors, my employer, the University of Nairobi, the WTO, AERC, AFEA, and organizations that have offered me opportunities in different roles. NRF, thank you very much for the recognition.”

UON VC Hutchinson lauded Majune for the achievement saying the institution is proud of him for flying the University’s flag high.

Majune was nominated by UON and after thorough vetting by the nominations committee, he was picked.

He was the first Kenyan to join the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Young Professional Programme in 2022.

He also won the inaugural WTO 2020 Trade Economist Thematic Award after his paper “The Effect of Lockdown Policies on International Trade Flows from Developing Countries: Event Study Evidence from Kenya” emerged as the best among contestants that were drawn from all over the rhetorical world.

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and Higher Education counterpart Beatrice Inyangala were present during the award.

Others were; The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi Prof. Margaret Hatchinson, the Chairperson of the National Research Fund Prof. Ratemo Michieka, and other distinguished professors from universities across Kenya.