Kudzai Shava

Kudzai Shava is a blind disability rights activist from Zimbabwe. He is a qualified teacher who obtained his Certificate in Education, Diploma in Special Education and Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education from the University of Zimbabwe. Kudzai got his MA in Disability Studies from University of Leeds in England, and is now pursuing a Doctorate in the same field at University of Illinois at Chicago. His activism, research and advocacy work with disabled people in Zimbabwe and beyond covers a wide range of issues, at the center of which is their full inclusion and equal citizenship.

Why did you choose DHD at UIC?
DHD at UIC is the best disability program in the world, and to do a Ph.D here is an honor and privilege.

What do you want to do with a DHD degree?
I would like to initiate similar disability studies programs in my home country of Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries; and, more importantly significantly contribute to the efforts of changing the condition of disability and disabled people through the influence of my research and ’emancipatory’ projects.

Research Interests
Disability activism, human rights, social justice, digital inclusion, qualitative methods, and participatory action research.

Selected Publications
Shava, K. (2017) Social Media and Disability Inclusion: Critical Reflections of a Zimbabwean Activist. Disability and Social Media: Global Perspectives. Kent, M. And Ellis, K. (eds.). Routledge

Chataika, T., Berghs, M., Mateta, A. & Shava, K. (2015) From Whose Perspective Anyway? The Quest for African Disability Rights. in Advocacy in Conflict: Critical Perspectives on Transnational Activism. de Waal, A. (ed.)

Zed Books. Magwa, W. Podzo, B. And Shava, K. (2015) Global Competence and Internationalisation of Higher Education in Africa: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Learners with Special Needs. Journal for educational Policy and Entrepreneurial Research 2(5) pp138-150.(www.jeper.org)

Awards and Honors
Fulbright Foreign Student Program Scholarship, 2018-20
Australian Leadership Award Fellowship, 2013
British Council Certificate in Leadership, 2009
Canon Collins/FCO/University of Leeds Masters Scholarship, 2007-8
Claude Ake Memorial Award New Orleans, Louisiana — 12 November 2004

Education
MA, Disability Studies, University of Leeds, 2007-8
B.Ed, Primary/Special Education, University of Zimbabwe, 2002