Deepa | Energy and Utilities Analytics  | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Deepa | Energy and Utilities Analytics  | Best Researcher Award

USMS University School of Management Studies | India

Ms. Deepa is a dedicated researcher and emerging academician in financial economics, currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University School of Management Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, where her doctoral work investigates the factors influencing access to clean energy across developing nations. With an h-index of 3, 4 published documents, and 16 citations across 15 referencing documents, she has established a growing scholarly footprint, contributing to high-impact journals such as Renewable Energy, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, and Environment, Development and Sustainability. Her research spans sustainable finance, corporate finance, green growth, energy poverty, ESG, and development economics, supported by certifications including UGC NET/JRF (twice). She has presented her work at leading institutions including IIT Bombay, IIT Bhubaneswar—where she received a Best Paper Award—IIM Kashipur, and the Central University of Himachal Pradesh. As an adjunct faculty member, she has taught courses in Financial Accounting and Entrepreneurial Mindset, integrating analytical rigor with practical insights. With expertise in EViews, Stata, R, and bibliometric tools, she continues to advance impactful, policy-relevant research. She aspires to contribute meaningfully to academia by promoting inclusive, sustainable development through evidence-based teaching and scholarship.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid 

Featured Publications

Deepa, Ahuja, S., Soti, N., Kumar, A., Phore, J., & Gupta, S. (2026). How can green finance and economic policies unlock new pathways to clean energy access in Sub-Saharan African nations? Renewable Energy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2025.124703

Soti, N., Kumar, A., Gupta, S., Ahuja, S., & Deepa. (2025). Towards a sustainable future: The interplay of trade globalization and regulatory quality on environmental outcomes in India. Sustainable Futures. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100578

Kumar, A., Soti, N., Gupta, S., & Deepa. (2024). Addressing energy poverty in BRICS economies: Insights from panel data analysis and policy implications for sustainable development goals. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05652-9

Phore, J., Deepa, Soti, N., Kumar, A., & Saini, A. K. (2024). Exploring the dynamics of ICT and globalization on human development in India: Asymmetric analysis and policy implications. International Journal of Information Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41870-024-02056-w

Ann-marie Moiwo | Government and Public Policy Analysis | Best Research Article Award

Ms. Ann-marie Moiwo | Government and Public Policy Analysis | Best Research Article Award

Njala University | Sierra Leone

Ann-Marie Moiwo is a dynamic professional with interdisciplinary training in international relations, public administration, and the social sciences. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Renmin University and a Master of Public Administration from Njala University, supported by a strong academic foundation in History and Sociology from Fourah Bay College. Her professional experience spans administrative management, organizational coordination, research operations, and executive support across institutions in the public, private, and development sectors. She has contributed to nationwide research initiatives, supported high-level decision-making processes, and provided strategic and logistical support within academic and corporate environments. Her research interests include governance, public policy, international development, gender studies, and sociopolitical systems in West Africa. Passionate about evidence-based policy and institutional strengthening, she aims to advance impactful research and contribute to solutions addressing national and global development challenges. Ann-Marie has been recognized for her diligence, discipline, and strong work ethic, consistently demonstrating the capacity to thrive in fast-paced, multicultural, and high-responsibility environments. She remains committed to continuous learning, professional growth, and service within institutions that value integrity, innovation, and social transformation.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Genealogy as Analytical Framework of Cultural Evolution of Tribes, Communities, and Societies Ann-Marie Moiwo, Massaquoi, D., Moiwo, T. W., Sam, M., & Moiwo, J. P. (2025). Genealogy as analytical framework of cultural evolution of tribes, communities, and societies. Genealogy, 9(4).

Comparative Analysis of Neglected Attenuation and Negotiated Intervention Pathways to Conflict Resolution for Lasting Peace Juana, J., Moiwo, J. P., Challay, S., Bebeley, S. J., Mbavai, J. J., Yeganegi, K., & Sanguiné, L. (2025). Comparative analysis of neglected attenuation and negotiated intervention pathways to conflict resolution for lasting peace. Journal of Global Peace and Conflict, 12(3).

Hydro-economic Model Framework for Achieving Groundwater, Food, and Economy Trade-offs by Optimizing Crop Patterns Ma, Q., Yang, Y., Sheng, Z., Han, S., Yang, Y., & Moiwo, J. P. (2022). Hydro-economic model framework for achieving groundwater, food, and economy trade-offs by optimizing crop patterns. Water Research, 119, 119199.

Rainwater Harvesting for Supplemental Irrigation Under Tropical Inland Valley Swamp Conditions Blango, M. M., Cooke, R. A. C., Moiwo, J. P., Sawyerr, P. A., & Kangoma, E. (2020). Rainwater harvesting for supplemental irrigation under tropical inland valley swamp conditions. Irrigation and Drainage, 69(5).

Effect of Biochar Application Depth on Crop Productivity Under Tropical Rainfed Conditions Moiwo, J. P., Wahab, A., Kangoma, E., Blango, M. M., Ngegba, M. P., & Suluku, R. (2019). Effect of biochar application depth on crop productivity under tropical rainfed conditions. Applied Sciences, 9(13), 2602.

Shruti Shukla | Social Impact Young Researcher Award| 

Ms. Shruti Shukla | Social Impact |  Young Researcher Award 

Technical University of Munich | Germany

Ms. Shruti Shukla is a dedicated researcher in global health with a strong focus on gender equity, adolescent maternal and child health, and the socio-economic determinants of well-being in low- and middle-income countries. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Global Health at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, where her research examines the impact of gender transformative interventions on adolescent maternal and child health outcomes. She holds an MSc in Global Health from Maastricht University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Liberal Arts from Ashoka University, and an MSc in Biotechnology from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Her extensive professional experience includes research associate roles at TUM and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, contributing to projects on economic violence, intimate partner violence, and the impact of COVID-19 on gender inequities. She has also worked as a project coordinator for community-based health programs in India focusing on pneumonia and anaemia prevention. Her research interests encompass public health policy, gender-based violence prevention, and global health systems. She has delivered lectures on global and maternal health and contributed to several international collaborations. Ms. Shukla continues to pursue evidence-based approaches that promote equity, resilience, and empowerment in global health contexts.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Shukla, S., Shenderovich, Y., Jacobs, C., & Steinert, J. I. (2025). Pedalling progress? Assessing the long-term impact of a bicycle intervention on adolescent maternal and child health in Zambia. Social Science & Medicine.

Shukla, S., Kharade, A., Böhret, I., Jumaniyazova, M., Meyer, S. R., Abejirinde, I.-O. O., Shenderovich, Y., & Steinert, J. (2025). How do gender transformative interventions reduce adolescent pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries: A realist synthesis. Journal of Global Health.

Shukla, S., Mosha, N. R., Meyer, S. R., Harvey, S., Lees, S., Mshana, G., & Stöckl, H. (2025). Women’s informal group participation and intimate partner violence in Mwanza, Tanzania: A longitudinal study. Social Science & Medicine.

Steinert, J. I., Shukla, S., & Satish, R. V. (2024). Navigating distress: Exploring factors affecting adolescent girls’ wellbeing during and after a violence-focused survey in Maharashtra, India. Child Abuse & Neglect.

Shukla, S., Abejirinde, I.-O. O., Meyer, S. R., Shenderovich, Y., & Steinert, J. I. (2024). Mechanisms behind gender transformative approaches targeting adolescent pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries: A realist synthesis protocol. Systematic Reviews.

Shukla, S., Castro Torres, A. F., Satish, R. V., Shenderovich, Y., Abejirinde, I.-O. O., & Steinert, J. I. (2023). Factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in Maharashtra, India: A mixed-methods study. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters.

Meyer, S. R., Hardt, S., Brambilla, R., Shukla, S., & Stöckl, H. (2023). Sociological theories to explain intimate partner violence: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. Advance online publication.

Ujjwal Das | Public Health Analytics | Young Scientist Award

Dr. Ujjwal Das | Public Health Analytics | Young Scientist Award

Fakir Mohan University | India

Dr. Ujjwal Das is an Assistant Professor (Temporary) of Geography at Fakir Mohan University, India, specializing in social determinants of population health, geospatial analysis, and public health research. He earned his Ph.D. in Geography from Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh (2025), following an M.Phil. and Master of Population Studies from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, and a Gold Medalist M.A. in Applied Geography from Ravenshaw University. Dr. Das has presented his research at multiple national and international conferences, focusing on urban poverty, child malnutrition, elderly morbidity, and maternal health. His scholarly contributions include over 14 peer-reviewed publications, 5 book chapters, and extensive research on mortality, fertility, and population-environment interactions. He is proficient in quantitative and spatial analysis tools including SPSS, STATA, ArcGIS, R, and Mortpak. With an h-index of 3, more than 9 documents, and over 37 citations, his work is widely recognized for its impact on public health and population geography. Dr. Das has received awards for excellence in research and contribution to population studies. His ongoing work integrates geospatial methods with social science approaches to inform policy and improve health outcomes in India, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Das, U., & Mohanty, S.K. (2025). “Urban Poverty and Child Malnutrition in India: A Geographical Analysis” in Health on the Move: Population and Public Health Perspectives.

Ahamad, V., & Das, U. (2025). “Health on the move: cardiovascular disease risk among ageing male migrants in India” in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus.

Das, U. (2025). “Is Virginity a Matter of Dignity or a Lack of Opportunity? Exploring the Paradoxical Relationship Between Premarital Sex and Education Among Youth in India” in Sexuality & Culture.

Das, U., & Kar, N. (2025). “Understanding economic disparities in elderly health outcomes: a decomposition analysis in Bankura district” in BMC Public Health.

Das, U., Kar, N., Riba, T., & Rout, N.R. (2025). “Prevalence of diabetes and disability among older adults in West Bengal and India: A comparative analysis” in Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews.

Weliswa Matekenya | Quantitative Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Weliswa Matekenya | Quantitative Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Nelson Mandela University | South Africa

Dr. Weliswa Matekenya is a seasoned Senior Lecturer in Economics at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa. With a profound dedication to research and academic excellence, she has established herself as a specialist in Maritime, Development, and Environmental Economics. Her scholarly contributions are evident in her extensive publication record, research consultancy experience, and active participation in national and international academic forums. Recognized as an emerging leader in economic research, Dr. Matekenya has garnered prestigious awards and research grants, reflecting her impact in shaping economic discourse in South Africa and beyond.

Professional Profile

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

Education

Dr. Matekenya earned her PhD in Economics from Nelson Mandela University, where her doctoral thesis explored the macroeconomic impact of ocean economy financing in South Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Fort Hare, where she researched the effect of oil price volatility on South Africa’s economic growth. Her academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Honours in Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management and Economics, both from the University of Fort Hare. Her educational background has laid a strong foundation for her multifaceted research and teaching interests in economics.

Professional Experience

Dr. Matekenya currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at NMU’s Department of Economics, a position she has held since 2018. In this role, she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Environmental Economics, Development Economics, Econometrics, Public Economics, and Microeconomics. She has also served in several leadership capacities, such as Acting Head of Department and Chairperson of the Departmental Research Management Committee. She coordinates PhD and Master’s programs and actively contributes to curriculum development and ethics review panels.

Before joining NMU, she worked as a Research Consultant at Masutane Research Company, where she led data-driven projects, designed research methodologies, and conducted field studies. Her previous roles include lecturing positions at Educor and the University of Fort Hare, as well as serving as a Research Assistant in the Presidency of South Africa. Across these roles, she has gained valuable expertise in academic program coordination, research supervision, and policy analysis.

Research Interests

Dr. Matekenya’s research interests lie primarily in Maritime Economics, Development Economics, and Environmental Economics. She is particularly engaged in exploring the socio-economic dimensions of port infrastructure, ocean economy financing, and sustainable development strategies in coastal regions. Her recent projects include assessing the economic impact of seaports in South African regional economies and investigating the technical efficiency of ports in the SACU region using data envelopment analysis. She also focuses on topics such as climate change, foreign direct investment, financial inclusion, and SMME innovation.

Her involvement in international collaborative projects, such as those with UNU-WIDER under the SA-TIED initiative, has allowed her to explore transnational economic themes, including the role of Special Economic Zones in regional development. Her research integrates quantitative methodologies, including cointegration analysis and regression modeling, with policy-oriented perspectives, making her work both academically rigorous and practically relevant.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Matekenya has received several accolades that recognize her contributions to economic research and academic development. She was awarded the Emerging Researcher of the Year in 2022, affirming her position as a leading early-career researcher. She has also been a recipient of the Thuthuka Grant (2024–2026) for her project on the socio-economic impact of South African seaports. Additionally, she participated in the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP) from 2020 to 2021, supporting the development of underrepresented scholars in academia.

Her active engagement in the academic community extends to international speaking engagements, such as the World Conference on Climate Change in Prague and panel discussions at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in India. Dr. Matekenya also serves as a peer reviewer for several journals, including the Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies and the Journal of Shipping and Trade, and she holds an editorial position with the latter.

In sum, Dr. Weliswa Matekenya exemplifies scholarly leadership through her teaching, research, and engagement with economic development at local, national, and global levels. Her academic journey, underpinned by a solid educational foundation and a commitment to impactful research, positions her as an influential voice in shaping Africa’s sustainable economic future.

Publications

Impact of financing aquaculture on selected economic indicators in South Africa: cointegration approach

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Ronney Ncwadi
Journal: Journal of Applied Aquaculture
Year: 2024

The impact of maritime transport financing on total trade in South Africa

Authors: W. Matekenya; R. Ncwadi
Journal: Journal of Shipping and Trade
Year: 2022

Innovation as a driver of SMME performance in South Africa: a quantile regression approach

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Clement Moyo
Journal: African Journal of Economic and Management Studies
Year: 2022

Financial inclusion and human development: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Clement Moyo; Leward Jeke
Journal: Development Southern Africa
Year: 2021

Firm and product survival analysis: Evidence from South African tax administrative and products data

Authors: Syden Mishi; Weliswa Matekenya; Leward Jeke; Ronney Ncwadi; Roseline Karambakuwa
Journal: WIDER Working Paper
Year: 2021