Preston Chitere

Has from January 2011 to present served as Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Nairobi. He was re-elected in January, 2013 for a second term of two years. Holds a B.A. (Hon), an M.Sc. Agricultural Education and Extension and a Ph.D. Rural Sociology and Rural development (University of Nairobi) and post-doctoral training at Iowa State University, U.S.A. Has vast lecturing experience at the University of Nairobi in research methods and development studies including community development studies, community organization and action, rural sociology and rural development, qualitative research methods and programme planning. He was key in initiating the Diploma in Social Work and Social development and M.A. Rural Sociology ad Community Development studies in the Department of Sociology. Currently, in collaboration with colleagues, he is preparing the Community development studies programme to cover diploma, degree and M.A. levels. He was chairman of the Faculty of Arts Post-graduate Studies Committee and several Department of Sociology and Social Work Committees. Has served as a research scientist and at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) (1990-1996) and as coordinator and policy researcher of the Governance and development Programme of the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR), Nairobi (2003-2006) and briefly as Executive Director, IPAR-Rwanda. Has was a member of several Government of Kenya Task Forces and carried out a large number of consultancies and personal studies in which he involved several colleagues and students.