Dr Peter Mtika

Biography

I joined the University of Aberdeen in 2008, initially as a Research Fellow on the Scottish Teachers for a New Era (STNE) project. I subsequently was appointed as a Lecturer in education in 2011. 

Before coming to Aberdeen, I had worked as a Staff Associate/Lecturer at the University of Malawi - Bunda College of Agriculture (2001-2004). I also taught at secondary level in Malawi (English and History) from 2000 to -2001.

I completed my PhD at the University of Nottingham in 2008. My PhD research focused on teaching practicum. I completed my MA in International Education at the University of Sussex in 2003. I completed a Bachelor of Education (Humanities) and qualified as a secondary teacher from the University of Malawi in 2000.

Research Overview

My main research interest is in the broad area of international education and development, and teacher education research, practice and policy with a focus on social justice, inclusion, and equity.  

Current Research

Equitable access to primary education in Malawi and Ghana

Adult literacy education in Rwanda

Educational inclusion in rural parts of Cambodia

Teacher Preparation in the Context of Poverty in Scotland

Collaborations

I collaborated with colleagues at the University of Rwanda - College of Education, three Teacher Training Colleges and the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR), implementing an adult literacy project in Western Rwanda. The project was informed by a social practices approach to adult literacies. It aimed at building the capacity of the Rwandan adult education sector to respond to the needs of adult learners. The project was funded by the Scottish Government (£1,191,795)(2017 - 2022).

I collaborated with colleagues at the University of Rwanda - College of Education, three Teacher Training Colleges and the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) in implementing an adult literacy project in Western Rwanda. This project was an extension of a previously funded project. The project was funded by the Scottish Government (£243,999.00)(2022 - 2023).

I am collaborating with colleagues at the University of Rwanda - College of Education, the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR-Rwanda), and three Teacher Training Colleges in Western Province of Rwanda in implementing an adult literacy project. This project is a further one-year extension of a previously funded project. The project is funded by the Scottish Government (£259,989.00) (2023 - 2024). 

Funding and Grants

• Implementing a Social Practice Approach to Adult Literacy (SPAAL) project in Western Rwanda. This is a further one-year extension. It is aimed at building the capacity of the Rwandan adult education sector to enhance provision of adult literacy. The project is funded by the Scottish Government (£259,989.00)(2023 - 2024). (With Prof Pamela Abbott).
• Implementing a Social Practice Approach to Adult Literacy (SPAAL) project in Western Rwanda. The project is an extension of a five and half year project. It is aimed at building the capacity of the Rwandan adult education sector to enhance provision of adult literacy. The project is funded by the Scottish Government (£243,999.00)(2022 - 2023). (With Prof Pamela Abbott).
• Improving the academic attainment of children in disadvantaged schools in Malawi: the role of school-community engagement and provision of radio-based instruction. £8880.00.  Funded by the University of Aberdeen Internal GCRF Grant. (2020 - 2021).  (PI)
• Attainment Challenge Project: Developing pedagogies that work for Pre-service and Early Career Teachers to reduce the Attainment Gap in Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Well-being. £50,000. Funded by the Scottish Government through the Scottish Council of the Deans of Education (SCDE). (2019 - 2021). (With Archie Graham, Dean Robson, Lindsay MacDougall).
• Educational inclusion and professional development in rural school settings in the province of Battambang, Cambodia. This project aims to enhance quality of teaching, children's school experiences and outcomes (initial funding £6,600, second funding £9,990, third funding £2848 (Funded by the University of Aberdeen Internal GCRF Grant). (2018 - 2021). (With Dr Jackie Ravet).
• This project aims to address the identified challenges in adult literacy in Western Rwanda. The project is a collaboration with the University of Rwanda - College of Education, three teacher training colleges and Institute for Policy Analysis and Research. £1,191,795 (Funded by the Scottish Government) (2017 - 2022).(With Prof Pamela Abbott and Dr Aileen Ackland) 
• Evaluation of the Malawi M.Ed Primary Project within the Malawi Development Programme £7,500. Funded by the University of Strathclyde 2015 - 2017 (PI).
• Evaluation of the Inverness and Livingston Bridge to Employment project. The project was supporting high school students and their motivation and uptake of STEM subjects in preparation for higher education and Further Education. £21,604 (Funded by the Academy for Educational Development) (2010 - 2011) (PI/Researcher).

Teaching Responsibilities

Teaching

I teach on the following courses or programmes

• Sustainable international development
• Research methods for professional learning
• PGDE and MA (Honours) Education

PhD Supervision

Samuel Oppong-Frimpong An investigation into the quality of early childhood education provision in Ghana, through the use of interaction (Completed)(Co-supervor - Prof Donald Gray).

Maxwell Kwesi Nyatsikor Connecting the Ghanaian Primary School Teacher Characteristics to Pupil Achievement in National Educational Assessment (Completed)(Co-supervisor - Dr Dean Robson).

Arkangelo Mtipe Yambeni An investigation of how students’ achievement during entrance examinations correlates with their actual academic achievement in higher education in Malawi using Domasi College of Education as a case (Completed)(Co-supervisor - Dr Dean Robson).

Assel Zhakim Children’s learning in the home environment in Kazakhstan (Completed)(Co-supervisor - Dr Dean Robson).

Laura Puhalak Equality of First Year Experiences in Initial Teacher Education from a Capabilities Perspective (Completed)(Co-supervisor - Dr Dean Robson).

Maisara Maisara Bringing the world into classroom: teacher for global education in post-conflict and post-Tsunami Aceh (On-going) (Co-supervisor - Dr Elizabeth Curtis).

Non-course Teaching Responsibilities

External examiner

University of Guyana - Postgraduate Degree

University of Edinburgh - Postgraduate Degree

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) Malawi - Postgraduate Degree