Dr. Stephen Gichuhi Kimotho

Assistant Professor of Health Communication
sgkimotho@usiu.ac.ke    |     +254 730 116 703

Biography:

Stephen Gichuhi Kimotho, (Ph.D., MA, B.ED) is an assistant professor of strategic health communication at United States International University, Nairobi. He holds expertise and applied knowledge in various areas of communication including: risk and emergency communication; social and behavior change communication (SBCC); health communication; crisis communication, science communication, public policy advocacy; and resource mobilization campaigns, among others. He is also a renowned qualitative methods researcher, and a trainer in qualitative evidence Synthesis; computer-assisted qualitative data analysis (CAQDA) (using modern software e.g. NVIVO 2020).

Stephen has published books, chapters, journal articles, as well as delivered lectures, presented papers in conferences on various communication subjects. Previously, Stephen worked as the director of strategic communication at National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND) – (a State Corporation mandated to facilitate research intended to further the requirements of environmental management and ensure the state achieve sustainable financing for environmental management). Additionally, Stephen has also worked as the program director of Journalism and Master or Arts in communication programmes at USIU-Africa; head of business and senior editor at Lynka Communications, senior editor at Longhorn Publishers; a trainer and professional rapporteur for several international organizations.

Academic Qualification:

  • 2014: Ph.D., Communications, Daystar University
  • 2009: Masters, Linguistics, Kenyatta University
  • 2000: Bachelor of Education Degree, Moi University

Professional Certification:

  • Certified Social Behaviour Change (SBC) Practitioner. Centre for Behaviour Change and Communication (CBCC) & United States International University (2022)
  • Certified in Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analysis, Qualitative evidence Synthesis and meta-synthesis by Campbell Collaboration (Norway), 2019
  • Certified Doctoral Students Supervisor – through Dies/Crest - Course for supervisors of Doctoral candidates at African Universities, (Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology; Stellenbosch University (South Africa). 2018-2019.
  • Qualitative Research Methods Training Workshop, 2019. Hosted by Research Training and Consultancy International (RTCI), and Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Herbal Medicine (ACEPHEM); and University of Malawi
  • Quantitative Data Analysis with R Software Workshop 2017. African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Quantitative data analysis with Stata and qualitative data analysis with NVivo on 2016. African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Grant Writing Workshop 2016. African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya.

Research and Publications:
Books

Book Chapters

Journal Articles

  • Kimotho, S. G., (In Press). Implications of Psychosocial Outcomes of Tungiasis Stigma on Health Seeking Behavior among Resource Poor Communities in Central Kenya.
  • Kimotho, S. G., (In Press). Conceptualizing NIMBY crisis: A focus on factors that influence intention to accept or reject wind park project. Journal of Risk Research
  • Da Silva, J. A. T., & Kimotho, S. G. (2022). Signs of divisiveness, discrimination and stigmatization caused by Jeffrey Beall's “predatory” open access publishing blacklists and philosophy. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 48(3), 102418. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0099133321001099
  • Kimotho, S. G., & Macharia, F. N. (2020). Social stigma and cultural beliefs associated with cleft lip and/or palate: parental perceptions of their experience in Kenya. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 7(1), 1-9. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-00677-7
  • Kimotho, S. G., Nyarang’o, C. N., (2019). The role of social media in terrorism crisis communication: a case study of 2013 Westgate Mall terror attack in Nairobi. International Journal of Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (IJISCRAM). https://www.igi-global.com/article/role-of-social-media-in-terrorism-crisis-communication/234327
  • Kimotho, S. G. (2019). The storm around Beall’s List: a review of issues raised by Beall’s critics over his criteria of identifying predatory journals and publishers. African Research Review, 13(2), 1-11. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/afrrev/article/view/185628
  • Kimotho, S. G. (2019). "Is Servant Leadership a ‘Christian Theory’? A Critical Examination of Greenleaf's Servant Leadership Concept." International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies, Volume 6(3), 71-78
  • Ngugi, J., Kimotho, S., & Muturi, S. (2018). Social Media Use by the Deaf in Business in Nairobi, Kenya. Ajbuma Journal, 4(3). http://journals.uonbi.ac.ke/index.php/ajbu/article/view/1788
  • Kimotho, S., Miller, A. N., & Ngure, P. (2016). Stigmatizing Beliefs, Stereotypes and Communication Surrounding Tungiasis in Kenya. African Communication Research, 7(1) 33 – 57 http://41.204.183.105/handle/11732/4301
  • Kimotho, S., Miller, A. N., & Ngure, P. (2015). Managing communication surrounding tungiasis stigma in Kenya. Communicatio, 41(4), 523-542. https://doi.org/10.1080/02500167.2015.1100646
  • Awili, M. A., Kimotho, S. G, White, R. (2016). Factors that influence effective communication of Agricultural information among the farmers: A case of Farmers in South West Kisumu Ward, Kisumu. Journal of Developing Country Studies 1(1) 1-20 https://www.iprjb.org/journals/index.php/JDCS/article/view/21
  • Kimotho, S. G., & Nyaga, R. N. (2016). Digitized Ethnic Hate Speech: Understanding Effects of Digital Media Hate Speech on Citizen Journalism in Kenya. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 7(3), 189- 200. http://www.journals.aiac.org.au/index.php/alls/article/view/2316

Conference Papers

  • Kimotho, G. S. (2021). Theoretical & methodological implications of cross-linguistic automated transcription 9 (https://www.qsrinternational.com/nvivo-qualitative-data-analysis-software/nvivo-community/nvivo-conferences)
  • Kimotho, G. S. (2020). Experiences of parents of children born with cleft lip and/or palate: A focus on social stigma and cultural beliefs in Kenya. 70th Annual International Communication Association Conference - Open Communication (May 21-25). Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Center (GCCEC) (Gold Coast, Australia) (converted to virtual conference due to Covid-19 Pandemic)
  • Kimotho, G. S. (2019). Perceived Risks and Potential of Big Data in Public Relations Practice among PR practitioners in Kenya. Presented at the East African Communication Association (EACA) Conference on Wednesday, August 28, 2019. The Aga Khan University, Nairobi Kenya.
  • Kimotho, S. G. & Lomoywara, D. B. (2019). A systematic review of cultural variations in knowledge, attitudes, practices and stigma associated with Leishmaniasis. A paper presented during communication for Social Development (C4SD) Symposium 2019, at Daystar University Nairobi.
  • Kimotho, G. S. (2018). Stakeholders Risk Perceptions and Communication Engagement Strategies used by Investors during crisis: A Case of Kinangop Wind Park. Presented at 2018 Communication for Development Symposium held at Daystar University on the 22nd of October 2018.
  • Kimotho, G. S. (2018). Silenced Voices: Understanding Stigmatizing Beliefs, Stereotypes and Stigma Communication Associated with Mental Illness in Africa: a paper presented on 28th May, 2018 at ICA conference, Prague, Czech.
  • Mburu, G. C. & Kimotho, G. S. (2017). Influence of social media on social interaction skills among undergraduate students of Daystar University a paper presented on November 14-16, 2017at Eastern African Multidisciplinary Applied Research Conference (EAMARC4), United States International University-Africa, Nairobi
  • Kimotho S. G., Alonge, A. J. & Ruto, P. (2016). Sexting and risky sexual behavior among the youth in Kenya: Implications on the fight against HIV; a paper presented at ICA- Africa Regional Conference, Daystar University, Nairobi.
  • Nyarang’o, C. N., Kimotho, S. G. & Oladipo, R. (2016). The role of social media in terrorism crisis communication: a case study of 2013 Westgate Mall terror attack in Nairobi; a paper presented at Eastern African Multidisciplinary Applied Research Conference (EAMARC3), United States International University-Africa, Nairobi on 15th, 16th & 17th November.
  • Kamau, E., Kimotho, S. G. & Kagunda, J. (2016). Influences of crisis communication plans on students’ perceptions of institutional preparedness for terror crisis in Kenya: a case study of Daystar University; a paper presented at Eastern African Multidisciplinary Applied Research Conference (EAMARC3), United States International University-Africa, Nairobi on 15th, 16th & 17th November.
  • Mucee, G. M., Kimotho, S. G. & Aswani, D. R. (2016). Effects of terrorism crisis on internal corporate image: a case study of Kenya immigration department after Westgate terror attack; a paper presented at Eastern African Multidisciplinary Applied Research Conference (EAMARC3), United States International University- Africa, Nairobi on 15th, 16th & 17th November.
  • Karaimu, P. K., Kimotho S. G. & Komen, L. (2016). Influence of media messages on self-efficacy towards cervical cancer screening among women aged 18-30 years in Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology; a paper presented at Eastern African Multidisciplinary Applied Research Conference (EAMARC3), United States International University-Africa, Nairobi on 15th, 16th & 17th November.
  • Kimotho S. G. & Nyaga, R. N. (2015). Digitized Ethnic Hate Speech: Understanding Impacts of Digital Media Hate Speech on Citizen Journalism in Kenya Presented at the East African Communication Association (EACA) Conference, Nairobi Safari Club Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Kimotho S. G. (2013). Impacts of Stigma Communication Associated with Tungiasis on individuals suffering from T. penetrans infestation in Murang’a County. Interdisciplinary International Conference, Daystar University, Nairobi.
  • Kimotho S. G. (2013). “Understanding the nature of Stigma communication associated with tungiasis: A case of Families infested with T. penetrans in Murang’a County.” 2nd International Interdisciplinary Annual Conference, Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
  • Kimotho S. G. (2013). Jigger, the Symbol of Shame: Relationships of Stigma Communication, Shame and Health Seeking Behaviors of Tungiasis Sufferers in Kenya, presented at East Africa@50 Conference: A Celebration of Histories and Future. University of Nairobi Kenya

Areas of Interest/Specialization:

  • Qualitative Enquiries & Qualitative evidence Synthesis
  • Strategic Public Health Communication
  • Public Policy and Advocacy
  • Social & Behavior change Communication
  • Participatory Strategies & Community engagement
  • Risk, Emergencies & Crisis Communication
  • Fund Raising /Resource mobilization
  • Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Integrated Marketing Communication

Teaching:

  • .CFD6160: Social & Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC)
  • CFD6130: Public Policy and Advocacy
  • CFD6120: Participatory Communication Strategy Design
  • CFD6170: Program Monitoring & Evaluation
  • MAC6050: Communication Research Methods
  • PSY 7727: Qualitative Analysis Methods (Advanced)
  • CFD6110: Development Communication Theory
  • CFD6140: Risk Communication
  • SCC6160: Issues & Crisis Management
  • MAC6010: Introduction to Graduate Studies
  • SCC6120: Integrated Marketing Communication
  • JRN2223: Theories of Mass Communication
  • JRN3020: Development Journalism
  • JRN3026: Gender Reporting
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