7th Visiting Scholar Selected for CARA Research Fellowship

Sr. Lucy Dora Akello, LSMIG, is the seventh sister scholar accepted for a six month research fellowship to learn applied research skills in the apostolate at the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), Georgetown University.

Through a grant awarded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, CARA’s primary focus is to help African Sister Scholars acquire applied research skills in the apostolate over a six-month fellowship. The grant also supports the development and implementation of at least one research project in the home country each Sister Scholar. 

Sr. Lucy belongs to the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu (LSMIG) congregation in Uganda. She has a Bachelor of Education in English and Religious Education (Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi), a Postgraduate Certificate in Research and Writing Skills (Centre for Basic Research, Kampala) and a Master of Education in Language & Literature Education (Makere University, Kampala). Sr. Lucy received her doctorate in Pedagogy in June, 2018, from the University of Groningen, The Netherlands, where she successfully defended her dissertation, titled, “Adopting the child-centred padagogy for teaching reading and writing.” Throughout her career she’s served as a Teaching Assistant, Lecturer and Senior Lecturer. She’s also held Director, Coordinator and General Secretary positions in Quality Assurance. 

Her arrival to the US was scheduled for August 2020 but has been delayed due to COVID-19. Sr. Lucy is currently studying remotely with researchers at CARA to prepare for her fellowship. Her research interests include Language Education, Pedagogy, Education, Action Research, Literacy and Child-Focused research. She plans to research the promotion of Ugandan Catholic education in the 21st century, through a national survey and in-depth interviews of diocesan education secretaries.

Sr. Lucy is the seventh research fellowship recipient, preceded by the following African Sister Scholars:

• Sr. Bibiana M. Ngundo, LSOSF, Kenya
• Sr. Florence Emurayeveya, EHJ, Nigeria
• Sr. Joan Chisala, CJSB, Zambia
• Sr. Hellen Anthony Bandiho, STH, Tanzania 
• Sr. Margaret Mary Dione Ajebe-Sone, SST, Cameroon 
• Sr. Aloysia Sebueng Makoae, SNJM, Lesotho

Learn more about this program and ASEC’s research initiative.

About CARA

In 2015-2016, ASEC entered into an agreement with Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University to bring African sisters to the U.S. for a Visiting Scholar Fellowship. CARA is a national, nonprofit research center that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church. The chosen sister will work and study with CARA to advance their research skills.  ASEC is partnered with CARA to recruitment the sister scholars and engage them in research opportunities, including over one week at its Scranton, PA, office.

Back to news