In the dynamic realm of civic technology and data-driven initiatives, the Pollicy Fellowship Program stands tall as a catalyst for innovation and change. Since its inception in 2017, the program has nurtured exceptional talents, providing fellows with a platform to drive meaningful impact both within the organisation and beyond. As we proudly introduce our 2023 cohort of exceptional fellows, we take a moment to reflect on their remarkable experiences, transformative growth, and the invaluable lessons they have learned during their time with Pollicy.
We are thrilled to introduce the dynamic and vibrant group of fellows who, over the last five months, have embarked on a transformative adventure with us in 2023. Allow us to introduce Lorna Okeng, Tricia Gloria Nabaye, Varaidzo Faith Magodo-Matimba, Doki Golder Sylivia, and Angela Efia Dzidzornu — the champions of change poised to push boundaries, break barriers, and leave their mark on the world. Spanning Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ghana, cue the spotlight as we shine it on these exceptional talents:
Lorna Okeng: The Explorer of Philosophies and Afro-optimism | UGANDA
Step into the world of Lorna Okeng, our Research Fellow, an explorer driven by curiosity, maximalism and an insatiable inclination for knowledge. Furnished with her pattern-recognition approach, her work at Pollicy traverses the future-centric facets of Governance within the Data Economy and Generative AI’s ambitious prospects for Africa’s Creative Industries, turning constellations of research outputs into beauty for strategic foresight.
Lorna is a creative technologist, systems thinker and curator whose work sits at the intersection of art, culture, disruptive technologies and futurism. Her contributions have a direct impact on scenario planning, anticipatory learning, backcasting and policy formulation, significantly influencing the trajectory of development programming for the future of humanity.
In Her Words: This world is full of beauty: mathematics, the quantifiable language of the universe, and art its multisensory reflection. My life’s mandate is to simply connect the dots. Pollicy provided a fascinating platform to extend this way of seeing into functional research.
QUOTE: “The beautiful ones are HERE!”, an antithetical rendition of Ayi Kwei Armah’s 1968 novel “The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born.”
Tricia Gloria Nabaye: The Voice of the Voiceless | UGANDA
Meet Tricia Gloria Nabaye, a passionate digital rights advocate and our advocacy fellow who fearlessly champions the rights of marginalized communities. With a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by women and marginalized communities in the digital space, Tricia fights against online harassment, cyberbullying, and gender-based violence through thought-provoking interviews and impactful publications. Her advocacy articles and publications explore how women politicians have embraced digital resilience, inspired by our VOTE WOMEN project. Tricia has also actively facilitated the Digital Rights training sessions at Busiitema University under our Digital Rights Ambassador Project.
Tricia has authored articles that shed light on digital rights and the experiences of women politicians online, drawing insights from our Byte Bullies report. Her message remains steadfast in emphasizing the importance of leveraging digital spaces to empower women in all aspects of their lives , allowing them to lead fulfilling lives both online and offline. This is rooted in her belief that everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities in the digital age. She collaborates with fellow team members, sharing insights and diverse perspectives that enrich our work and drive our mission forward.
In Her Words: The work goes on. Women continue to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings…and they’re doing it one app at a time! I am honored to be aligned with the work that Pollicy is doing especially at the intersection of technology and data. What a time to be alive! What a time to see the digital transition and working together, to debug gender biases and upgrading equality for a brighter digital future. Indeed, empowering women in technology is not just a mission, it’s a movement.
QUOTE: “I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare.” — Maya Angelou.
Varaidzo Faith Magodo-Matimba: The Architect of Sustainable Impact | ZIMBABWE
Enter the world of Varaidzo, our Grants Fellow, whose burning passion for sustainable development drives her forward. With a keen eye for funding opportunities and a dedicated commitment for sustainable development, Varaidzo spearheads our grants and administration efforts. She actively seeks out collaborations and partnerships that align with Pollicy’s mission and values amplifying the organization’s impact. Her strategic approach to resource mobilization ensures that Pollicy remains at the forefront of sustainable development initiatives, pioneering innovative projects that have the potential to create lasting change.
In Her Words: The politics of identity have been at the heart of African liberation and organizing. Most causes neglect to remember to plant the African womxn’s experience and nail it in the subconscious, for their names to be said, the journeys to be documented and their experiences to be remembered. Pollicy is uniquely positioned to name, document and immortalize the African womxn feminist experience. Being exposed to this work and being able to contribute to using technology as a tool for the progressive realization of African women’s rights from a sustainability perspective has been rewarding. I remain eternally grateful.
QUOTE: “Mapfupa angu achamuka” (My bones will surely rise) — Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana
Doki Golder: The Wizard of Data Insights | UGANDA
Discover the genius of Doki Golder, our Data Fellow, whose mastery of data unlocks a world of untapped potential. With a deep understanding of the intricacies within datasets, Doki shares many wonderful ideas that pertain to data and promotes our work. Doki’s infectious enthusiasm for data inspires young people, including herself, to embrace the field of data science and its transformative potential. Through her engagement with our data learning ecosystem interventions including DataClubs and DataLadies, she not only contributes to the development of data-driven solutions through human capital skilling but also serves as a role model and mentor for aspiring data enthusiasts.
In Her Words: My time at Pollicy as a fellow has been an interesting eye-opening journey. From collaborating with talented individuals to conducting research that matters, I have learned that data has the potential to shape policies, challenge inequalities, and create a more inclusive future. Before I applied, I was absolutely oblivious to the kind of work that Pollicy does and moreover, right over in Bugolobi, just around the corner. I think that there are a number of people like me who don’t know that great things are happening and we are in proximity to be a part of and contribute to them. Things that will drive meaningful impact and shape a better future for all. It was a very transformative time for me.
QUOTE: “Data has the power to shape the world, and we are all its advocates.”
Angela Efia Dzidzornu: The Storyteller Extraordinaire | GHANA
Meet Angela Efia Dzidzornu, our Communications Fellow, who weaves compelling narratives that amplify the Pollicy story. She has proven history reporting for high-authority publications in West Africa, with wide-ranging experience leading digital and corporate communications in multicultural environments. With her storytelling skills and creative flair, Angela collaborates closely with the communications team and the wider team at Pollicy to breathe life into our work. As a versatile communicator, she’s adept at managing multifaceted social media campaigns, crafting compelling audio-visual and written content, and developing robust messaging frameworks. Her efforts ensure our mission, values and impact are conveyed to stakeholders with unparalleled clarity and professionalism.
In Her Words: Sustainable change in Africa lies in the ability and willingness to write our own story as a people, and every step of this journey at Pollicy has brought me closer to the realization that this change is within reach. I’ve witnessed firsthand how meaningfully communicating data can inspire empathy, ignite action, and shape a more equitable society. Couldn’t be more grateful for this incredible opportunity to be part of Pollicy’s impactful work. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a part of something this extraordinary? I’ve learned so much here and still learning, from the team spirit and camaraderie in fostering an environment where ideas flourish.
QUOTE: “Things are working out towards their dazzling conclusions” — Professor Ama Ata Aidoo.
As we celebrate these exceptional fellows, we wholeheartedly acknowledge their unwavering dedication, relentless pursuit of excellence, and their indomitable spirit. Together, they represent a new generation of visionaries who dare to dream, who embrace the power of data, and who tirelessly strive to create a world where technology and innovation foster equitable and sustainable societies. We are confident that they will go on to create meaningful impact and drive positive change in their respective fields.
