- Impact of inter-partner HIV disclosure patterns in Malawi’s PMTCT program: A mixed-method study Yotebieng, Marcel; van Lettow, Monique; Cataldo, Fabian; Landes, Megan; Kasende, Florence; Nkhoma, Pearson; van Oosterhout, Joep J.; Kim, Evelyn; Schouten, Erik; Nkhoma, Ernest; Nyirenda, Rose and Tippett Barr, Beth A.. 2019. Impact of inter-partner HIV disclosure patterns in Malawi’s PMTCT program: A mixed-method study. PLoS ONE, 14(7), e0219967. ISSN 1932-6203
- Child Protection and Social Inequality: Understanding Child Prostitution in Malawi Nkhoma, Pearson and Charnley, Helen. 2018. Child Protection and Social Inequality: Understanding Child Prostitution in Malawi. Social Sciences, 7(10), 185. ISSN 2076-0760
- Role of Malawian languages in attainment of socio-economic development and MGDS Nkhoma, Pearson and Mugaba, Wongani. 2013. Role of Malawian languages in attainment of socio-economic development and MGDS. Journal of Development and Communication Studies, 2(2-3), pp. 380-391. ISSN 2305-7432
Dr Pearson Nkhoma
Staff details
Position
Senior Lecturer & Interim Head of Department.
Department
Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies
P.Nkhoma (@gold.ac.uk)
Links
Goldsmiths Research Centres/Groups
My interests are Child Exploitation; Modern Slavery, Immigration & Trafficking; Gender; Poverty & Social Inequality
My work is driven by a personal commitment to social justice. I recently secured funding from the NHS for study (2023) to examine the motivations for vaccination among Black people in London as part of a nationwide study; exemplifying my dedication and impact in the fields of social and health justice, race, and equality.
My contribution to knowledge, policy and practice include co-investigating a cross-country qualitative study titled 'The Dynamics of Healthcare Utilization in the Context of the RTS,S/AS01 Vaccine Introduction in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi' (HUS) which helped inform the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) decision to scale-up of the malaria vaccines in malaria prone areas globally. The longitudinal study (2019-2022) informed the ground-breaking Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP) and multi-dose vaccine introduction worldwide. I have also contributed to the development of the Theory of Change for the UN in Malawi (2017).
Academic qualifications
- PhD in Applied Social Science 2017
- MA in Social Work Studies 2013
- BA in Media for Development 2009
Teaching and supervision
Research interests
Areas of my research interests include Child Exploitation; Modern Slavery, Immigration & Trafficking; Poverty & Social Inequality; the Sociology of Health Inequalities and Accessibility; Decision Making & Conceptualisation of Risk. I am keen on participatory action research with vulnerable groups with lived experiences of extreme forms of exploitation and marginalisation. My work is underpinned by integrating theoretical frameworks such as a children's rights approach, the capability approach, and other critical theories like intersectionality, critical race theory and feminist perspectives.
I have been deeply involved with marginalised communities in sub-Saharan Africa, working with children and young people who have experienced extreme forms of exploitation, including child slavery, human trafficking, and child sexual exploitation. In addition to undertaking research, I have conducted and facilitated numerous workshops on a range of topics: child protection, youth empowerment, women's empowerment, sexuality and gender justice, poverty and livelihoods, as well as politics, democracy, and governance. Furthermore, I have played a key role in working, collaborating, and managing research and development projects funded by notable organisations such as the World Health Organisation, NHS, USAID, EU, UNDP, UN Women, DCA, HIVOS, and Save the Children.
I am available for inquiries regarding PhD supervision & other areas of potential collaborations in these areas.
Featured publications
Publications and research outputs
Article
- Acceptance of and Adherence to a Four-Dose RTS,S/AS01 Schedule: Findings from a Longitudinal Qualitative Evaluation Study for the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme Price, Jessica; Gurley, Nikki; Gyapong, Margaret; Ansah, Evelyn Korkor; Awusabo-Asare, Kofi; Gyasi, Samuel Fosu; Nkhoma, Pearson; Nyondo-Mipando, Alinane Linda; Okello, George; Webster, Jayne; Desmond, Nicola; Hill, Jenny and Gordon, W. Scott. 2023. Acceptance of and Adherence to a Four-Dose RTS,S/AS01 Schedule: Findings from a Longitudinal Qualitative Evaluation Study for the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme. Vaccines, 11(12), 1801. ISSN 2076-393X
- Leveraging routine viral load testing to integrate diabetes screening among patients on antiretroviral therapy in Malawi Singano, Victor; van Oosterhout, Joep J; Gondwe, Austrida; Nkhoma, Pearson; Cataldo, Fabian; Singogo, Emmanuel; Theu, Joe; Ching'ani, Wilson; Hosseinpour, Mina C and Amberbir, Alemayehu. 2021. Leveraging routine viral load testing to integrate diabetes screening among patients on antiretroviral therapy in Malawi. International Health, 13(2), pp. 135-142. ISSN 1876-3413
- Moving beyond contemporary discourses: children, prostitution, modern slavery and human trafficking Charnley, Helen and Nkhoma, Pearson. 2020. Moving beyond contemporary discourses: children, prostitution, modern slavery and human trafficking. Critical and Radical Social Work, 8(2), pp. 205-221. ISSN 2049-8608
Conference or Workshop Item
- Rethinking Perspectives: Misconceptions about Anti-Vaxxers within Black Communities in the Context of COVID-19 and Covid-19 Vaccine Nkhoma, Pearson. 2024. 'Rethinking Perspectives: Misconceptions about Anti-Vaxxers within Black Communities in the Context of COVID-19 and Covid-19 Vaccine'. In: 86th Annual Meeting of the Rural Sociological Society. Madison, Wisconsin, United States 24 - 30 July 2024.
- Trapped in Predatory Odysseys: The Cycle of Slavery and Exploitation for Unaccompanied Minors Nkhoma, Pearson. 2024. 'Trapped in Predatory Odysseys: The Cycle of Slavery and Exploitation for Unaccompanied Minors'. In: ISPCAN Sweden Congress 2024. Uppsala, Sweden 18-21 August 2024.
- Can Technology Be Harnessed to Safeguard Children Against Sexual Exploitation in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Reflection on Malawi Nkhoma, Pearson. 2023. 'Can Technology Be Harnessed to Safeguard Children Against Sexual Exploitation in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Reflection on Malawi'. In: Erasmus's Protect Project Conference. Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom 16 June 2023.
Edited Book
- Critical Research and Creative Practice with Migrant and Refugee Communities Callan, Brian; Nkhoma, Pearson and Thompson, Naomi, eds. 2025. Critical Research and Creative Practice with Migrant and Refugee Communities. Bristol: Policy Press. ISBN 9781447372790
Report
- Views, Experiences, and Future Hopes of Lewisham for People Living and Working in the Borough: A Report Submitted to the Lewisham Council for the Lewisham Strategic Partnership Aido, Magna; Cumming, Sean and Nkhoma, Pearson. 2023. Views, Experiences, and Future Hopes of Lewisham for People Living and Working in the Borough: A Report Submitted to the Lewisham Council for the Lewisham Strategic Partnership. Technical Report. London Borough of Lewisham, London.
- Motivators for Vaccination and Immunisations in Black African and Black African Caribbean Communities in London: A Report Submitted to NHS England Nkhoma, Pearson. 2023. Motivators for Vaccination and Immunisations in Black African and Black African Caribbean Communities in London: A Report Submitted to NHS England. Technical Report. NHS England.
Conferences and talks
2023:
Child prostitution in sub-Saharan Africa: Bringing back the agenda
Inaugural Colloquium of the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) Africa Branch, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. March 14-15, 2023.