Name: Dr. Simon Karuku
Role: HERI-Africa, Research Co-Chair in Mathematics Education
Dr. Simon Karuku is the HERI Africa Research Co-Chair in Mathematics Education and a Mathematics Educator in the Department of Education at the University of Embu. He holds a PhD in Mathematics Education from the University of Alberta and a Micro-Credential in Educational Innovation and Leadership from Tallinn University. His academic leadership experience includes serving as Chair of the Department of Education and later as Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences at the University of Embu before taking up his current appointment as the HERI Africa Research Co-Chair in Mathematics Education.
His teaching and research are driven by a strong commitment to student-centered learning, particularly pedagogical approaches that empower learners to actively construct mathematical understanding and develop agency in learning mathematics. This commitment extends to his work on foundational numeracy, where he collaborates with teachers, parents, and learners to strengthen early mathematical learning. Over the course of his academic career, Dr. Karuku has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral students and has contributed to the field through publications in book chapters, peer-reviewed journals, and international conference proceedings.
Dr. Karuku is a member of the Kenya Mathematical Society and is actively engaged in advancing mathematics education research and practice. His research includes externally funded projects, among them a Spencer Foundation-funded study for which he served as Co-Principal Investigator. The study examined strategies for optimizing parental engagement and empowerment in rural and marginalized areas of Kenya to improve foundational learning outcomes. His current work focuses on collaborative research and development with teachers, parents, and learners in primary schools, with the aim of strengthening foundational numeracy. Through this work, he seeks to contribute to improved mathematics learning outcomes in Kenya and across Africa.
Contact: simon.karuku@embuni.ac.ke