SAKATA Nozomi

Research Areas and Themes

      In the field of Comparative and International Education, my research interests lie in educational policy reform and implementation in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on pedagogical policies and practices in sub-Saharan Africa. I am interested in who determines what kinds of educational policies are appropriate and effective; how such policies should be formulated, implemented, and evaluated; and how different educational stakeholders view and experience educational changes in their countries.

      In my recent work, I looked at the implementation and compatibility of learner-centered pedagogy in the contexts of Tanzania and Ghana. My current research explores appropriate pedagogies alternative to the globally dominant framework of learner-centered pedagogy by applying the Capability Approach and the comparative case study approach.

      I work with researchers from Tanzania, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and Japan, where I reflect and question research relationships in conducting projects jointly. Methodologically, I have experiences in mixed methods and qualitative approaches, spanning across interviews, focus group discussions, quantitative and qualitative classroom observations, and surveys.

Research Areas and Themes of the Students

      I welcome enquiries from prospective M.A. and Ph.D. students who are interested in: pedagogical policies and provision, relationships between policy and practice, and processes of policy formulation and implementation in the context of low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Message to Prospective Students

      I look forward to meeting students who are passionate about education and international development.