PhD student Gladys Kemboi has been awarded the 2024 Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) Fellowship Award for her distinguished contribution to securing digital legacy to advance local and Indigenous knowledge in development in Kenya and across Africa. She received the award virtually during the DPC's biennial awards ceremony, which took place last month during the International Conference on Digital Preservation (iPRES 2024).
Kemboi, who recently started her doctoral studies at the iSchool, was raised in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. It was during her childhood that she learned about preserving food, traditional medicine, and predicting weather from her grandmothers.
"This early connection with Indigenous knowledge instilled in me a deep connection for my community research on Indigenous knowledge systems to create community-driven solutions," said Kemboi. "My work focuses on addressing epistemic injustices—ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard, included and recognized."
Kemboi, who holds a bachelor's degree in information studies from The Technical University of Kenya and master's degree in information and knowledge management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, has over a decade of experience as a knowledge manager and Communities of Practice leader. Since 2020, she has been an advocate for the decolonization of knowledge in international development, working with the Knowledge Management for Development (KM4Dev) community. Kemboi previously worked at Jhpiego, a nonprofit organization for international health, where she developed knowledge management strategies and Community of Practice for various countries. Her professional contributions include implementing the Global Coalition Knowledge Management Strategy on Youth, Peace and Security with the United Nations Development Programme and working with the Visions of Hope for Africa charity in developing the knowledge management strategy on local resource mobilization and sustainable partnership in the U.S. and Africa.