Speakers
Dr Chiara Facciola is a Mathematical scientist (D.Phil Mathematical Models and Methods in Engineering, MOX, Politecnico di Milano) providing leadership in the creation of chatbots that resonate with user needs, merging intuitive design with robust backend algorithms. Dr Facciola drives the development of ParentText, a chatbot based messaging intervention developed in partnership with Parenting for Lifelong Health. Dr Facciola’s holistic approach ensures that each chatbot developed is not just technologically sound but also user-centric, fostering genuine user engagement as well as being data driven.
Ms Roselinde Janowski is a Research Assistant on the ParentApp for Teens project in Tanzania, where she co-led the design, implementation, and evaluation of the engagement optimisation study. As doctoral student in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation at the University of Oxford, her research focuses on preventing violence and poor health outcomes among young people in low- and middle-income countries. Her doctorate specifically explores strategies to enhance engagement and retention in ParentApp for Teens, an app-based adaptation of the Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) for Teens intervention.
Mr Jonathan Klapwijk is a research psychologist from South Africa and Senior Research Assistant within the Global Parenting Initiative, focusing on ParentApp for Teens in Tanzania. With expertise in Learning Through Play interventions, he has worked extensively with children, adolescents, and families in low- to middle-income contexts across Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2019, Jonathan has been a LEGO Foundation Learning Through Play Ambassador and is currently pursuing a DPhil at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, on developing and evaluating evidence-based Playful Parenting Interventions.
Dr. David Stern is the Innovate Lead at the Global Parenting Initiative and a member of the Executive Team. As a Mathematical Scientist with extensive experience, he leads IDEMS International, a social enterprise focused on innovations in development, education, and mathematical sciences. David oversees the development of digital parenting tools such as ParentApp, FacilitatorApp, and ParentText. He has played a key role in educational initiatives across Africa, including founding the African Maths Initiative (AMI) and Supporting African Maths Initiatives (SAMI) in Kenya. He is dedicated to empowering young African coders and developing technology for low-resource settings.
Dr. Esmee te Winkel, a mathematical scientist at IDEMS, holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Warwick. She leads the development of digital solutions under the Global Parenting Initiative, including ParentApp for Teens, FacilitatorApp, and ParentApp for Kids, which aim to improve parent-child relationships and address family violence. As part of the Tech for Development team, she focuses on the integration of authoring, and localisation of digital products and data systems.
Dr Lily Clements is a data visualisation expert transforming complex datasets into compelling, interactive, and intuitive narratives, with a PhD in Statistics from Southampton University. In particular Dr Clements employs R to analyse data from apps and chatbots as well as engages in in-depth data reviews, data mapping, and development of data action/improvement plans. She is the co-author of many courses on responsible data and AI (eg. How Data Lies hosted by The Alan Turing Institute), as well as teaches extensively and develops educational resources (e.g., Responsible AI for Lecturers, a course supporting educators raising academic standards using AI).
Mr Zach Mbasu provides strategic leadership and oversight to the INNODEMS team, a social enterprise based in Kakamega, Kenya that leverages math and technology to create innovative solutions that improve lives and empower communities in Africa. Leveraging his experience and research interests in student-centered educational programs and technologies, he transforms classrooms into active, technology-enhanced learning environments that foster meaningful engagement. Mr Mbasu is also the Supporting Principal Investigator, Piloting Early Family Maths App in Kenya under the Global Parenting Initiative, Emerging Trends Fund.