About our Team

Ronald Elly Wanda is a transdisciplinary scholar and Africa analyst whose work

spans politics, development, culture, and environmental sustainability. With over

two decades of experience, he critically engages the intersections of climate

change, fragile ecosystems, indigenous knowledge, and socio-political

transformation, advancing Afrikology as a framework for climate resilience,

governance, and cultural regeneration. He holds a B.A. in Politics and International

Development Studies (Middlesex University), an M.A. in Human Rights (Birkbeck

College, University of London), an M.A. in Governance and Ethics (Mount Kenya

University), an M.A. in Political Science and Public Administration (University of

Nairobi), and is pursuing a DPhil in Political Science in South Africa. Currently

Senior Research Fellow and Head of Research and Innovation at the Prospect Peace

Institute–Africa and Founder of Grundtvig Africa House, he has also collaborated

with KIPPRA to coordinate multidisciplinary research. A member of CIoJ, NUJ, and

BIEA, Wanda integrates scholarship, advocacy, and journalism to highlight Africa’s

cultural heritage and its role in shaping equitable and sustainable futures.

 Gideon Oronje Odhiambo is a trained analytical chemist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Nairobi, graduating with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). His professional experience spans multiple sectors within the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, including roles at Kapa Oil Refineries, Lab and Allied Pharmaceuticals, and Dinlas Pharma. At Kapa Oil Refineries, he currently works as a Quality Control Analyst, focusing on testing crude, refined, and polished oils, while previously serving as a Senior Quality Control Analyst at Lab and Allied Pharmaceuticals. His hands-on skills include chemical and physical testing of raw materials and finished products, operation of instrumentation such as UV-Vis, FTIR, pH meters, refractometers, and wet chemistry techniques including titration and solubility analysis. He has also contributed to training new staff and interns, demonstrating his ability to transfer knowledge and maintain quality standards. Gideon’s academic background and practical experience are further supported by his final-year project, which involved analyzing paracetamol levels in over-the-counter painkillers at Kenya Chemistry, KNH — reflecting both his technical competence and applied research capabilities. 

Mr Nader has a degree in anthropology from the University of South Florida and has worked as an archaeologist throughout much of Florida. He traveled extensively including time along the coast of Kenya, Zimbabwe, and parts of Central Asia. He is fluent in Swahili familiar in Farsi and is learning Russian. He is director of lidar mapping for archaeological and historic sites.

 Photographic resume of  Bill Young  __________________________________________________  Bill has been an enthusiastic photographer for more than 50 years. It all started when he was  given his first SLR camera for his 10th birthday. Bill won awards for his photography in grades  school, high school and collage.  Bills photographic education took a path of it’s own. He started by taking classes in college  and quickly converted his education to being mentored by some of the best photographers in  the world.  Bills first two mentors were from a local photo club. Ethel Major was the primary mentor at the  time. She added to knowledge of aesthetic and the rules of composition.  Later Bill worked with Jeff Code in Washington D.C. Jeff was a bit more hands on, taking Bill  on photo shoots and teaching him about lighting, contours of the human form, and working  with models.  While working with Mr. Code Bill started a mentorship with Hal Gould of the Camera Obscura  Gallery. Mr. Gould was more intense and while he didn’t give direct guidance on how he would  do things differently he commented on the need to shoot more and certain areas to pay closer  attention. Bill and Mr. Gould started work on a book about Mr. Goulds photo work. Mr. Gould  passed away before the book was finished and designated his daughter to oversee the  completion of the book. That book is still a project in progress. Mr. Gould assigned Bill the  responsibility to mentor a couple of young photographers. Becoming the mentor was a big  learning experience for Bill.  Bill spent hours on the phone and one visit working with Peter Gowland of California. Mr.  Gowland showed Bill how to improvise his shooting to conditions that were available. Mr. And  Ms. Gowland walked Bill through the family home and showed him how they made every room  a photo set. The bathroom, kitchen and the back yard were made into sets as well as all other  rooms and hallways. they also had one room designated as a traditional photo set. Mr.  Gowland showed Bill where he manufactured the Gowland flex camera. Mr. Gowland then  gave bill copies of his most recent photo books and talked about steps that would help grow  my business. Unfortunately Mr. Gowland died early in the mentorship.  In 2000 Bill co-founded Peak Digital Imaging Society with Mark Kirkland. We grew the club to  more than 600 members and had an international audience. The most members attended a  presentation by George Lepp of California. We had more than 120 present at that meeting  including a participant that flew in from California. We have been honored to have attracted top  tear presenters from all across the United States. Bill was the first president of the club and is  the current chairman. The club continues to this day.  Starting in 2018 Bill had been elected as President of Image Society International. COVID took  a major toll on the club as numerous members passed away of COVID. We continued to grow  as an organization; however major changes were forced. upon us due to the pandemic. In 2000  our once every 5 year meeting went virtual and will continue over zoom in 2005. While our  membership is free and participation is strictly on an invitational basis, our group fulfilled all  requirements through the pandemic.  Bill’s work has been published in a 1/2 dozen books, hundreds of news papers, journals, and  magazines. Bill has had photos in shows on 4 continents to include more than 100 solo shows,  and participation in hundreds of group shows over the years. Bill has participated in dozens of  not for profit photo shoots to include The Adoption Exchange, Cancer research programs. Bill  has photographed 4 Presidents of the United States, hundreds of Congressional Gold Medal  Recipients, movie stars, billionaires, musicians, celebrities and scientists. He has  photographed Space Symposium 16 times, covered Black Lives Matter, and numerous other  political events.  Bill is currently working on several books. Three gardening books including a work book. The  book about Hal Gould. The Archeoastronomy of the American Southwest summer solstice.  Bill’s most recent endeavor is a project regarding climate change and how to work with  displaced people including housing, agriculture, and maintaining cultural competenc Blurb