Dr. Nettie Nobukosi Ndou-Chikwena | Educational Psychology | Best Researcher Award
Dr. Nettie Nobukosi Ndou-Chikwena | University of Johannesburg | South Africa
Dr. Nettie Nobukosi Ndou-Chikwena is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Neurodiversity, where she supports research and community engagement while coordinating various programs and events. With a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Pretoria and a Master’s degree with Merit from Midlands State University, her academic foundation is robust and interdisciplinary. Dr. Ndou-Chikwena has held various educational roles, including Special Needs Teacher, History Teacher, and Team Leader for Guidance and Counselling at Hamilton High School, where she established support units for learners with disabilities. Her research expertise spans qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and she is proficient in academic writing, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and project management. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications on neurodiversity, inclusive education, and learning disorders across South Africa and Zimbabwe. Her work emphasizes inclusive pedagogy, feminist research in education, and policy recommendations for learners with special needs.
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
Professional Experience
Dr. Nettie Nobukosi Ndou-Chikwena currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Neurodiversity, where she contributes to research and community engagement while coordinating key programs and events. Her career in education spans multiple impactful roles at Hamilton High School, where she worked as a Special Needs and Guidance & Counselling team leader, collaborating with learner welfare organizations and implementing vital counseling programs. She also organized career tours to support students’ future planning. As a Special Needs Teacher, she successfully established a support unit for learners with learning disabilities, providing targeted educational assistance. Earlier in her career, Dr. Ndou-Chikwena taught History up to the Advanced Level, in addition to serving as a class teacher. Her professional journey reflects a deep commitment to inclusive education, learner support, and academic enrichment across various educational levels, highlighting her strengths in leadership, student advocacy, and curriculum development.
Educational Background
Dr. Nettie Nobukosi Ndou-Chikwena holds a distinguished academic background in the field of education and psychology. She earned her PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Pretoria, where she focused on advanced research related to learner development and inclusive education. Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology with Merit at Midlands State University, strengthening her expertise in psychological assessment, intervention strategies, and learner support. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Education Honours degree in History from the same institution, graduating with a 2.1 classification. This multidisciplinary foundation, combining history and educational psychology, has empowered Dr. Ndou-Chikwena to approach teaching and research with both analytical depth and empathetic insight. Her strong academic credentials have underpinned her contributions to special needs education, neurodiversity advocacy, and the development of inclusive learning environments throughout her professional career.
Research Focus
Dr. Nettie Nobukosi Ndou-Chikwena’s research primarily centers on inclusive education, neurodiversity, and support systems for learners with special educational needs, particularly in African and multilingual contexts. Her work explores systemic and psychosocial support strategies for learners with developmental language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and other neurodiverse conditions. She focuses on the educational challenges faced by these learners, including barriers related to second-language instruction, social integration, and post-school transitions. Her studies also investigate the roles of educators and stakeholders in facilitating inclusive learning environments and examine how gender and feminist perspectives intersect with neurodiversity. Through qualitative and bibliometric methodologies, she contributes to the policy discourse on curriculum adaptation and learner support. With several publications in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Ndou-Chikwena’s work provides evidence-based insights that guide teacher training, policy development, and community engagement in inclusive education across South Africa and Zimbabwe. Her research reflects a deep commitment to equity, empowerment, and social justice in education.
Publication Top Notes
Systemic support for learners with developmental language disorders in Zimbabwe and South Africa
Citation: 14
Year: 2022
Challenges of learning in second language among South African school learners with developmental language disorder
Citation: 1
Year: 2024
Systemic support strategies for learners with language disorders in multilingual contexts
Citation: 1
Year: 2021
A scoping review of neurodiverse women’s representation in feminist research in Sub-Saharan Africa
Year: 2025
Bibliometric analysis of studies in inclusive psychosocial support of adolescents with special needs in schools
Year: 2025
School-based professionals’ experiences in supporting autistic learners in feminised settings
Year: 2025
Conclusion
Dr. Ndou-Chikwena is a strong and promising candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly within educational psychology and neurodiversity research. Her trajectory reflects emerging research leadership, strong academic writing skills, and dedication to inclusive education. With more time and visibility at the international level, she is well-positioned to grow into an outstanding global researcher. Based on her recent publications, thematic consistency, and community-focused research, she is indeed suitable and deserving of recognition through this award.