Maxine Mpofu

I am a Postgraduate Researcher at the Centre for Global Development at Northumbria University, working on “A Critical Analysis of How Young People with Disabilities Shape the Development of Rural Zimbabwe”.

1.  Current Research

Statistics indicate that young people are currently constituting the largest generation in the history of mankind. Africa has been dubbed the world’s youngest continent and projections show that the number of young people in Africa and disability prevalence globally will continue to rise. Although these numbers are startling, young people, especially youths with disabilities continue to face heightened marginalisation in the agenda for development. Where young people, especially those with disabilities, are involved, it is often about how development can be for them, as opposed to how development can be achieved by them and with them.

For my PhD research, I collaborate with diverse young people with disabilities and various stakeholders in youth, development, and disability spaces to understand the nature of participatory development in the context of rural Zimbabwe. The project seeks to contribute to Development Geographies literature by analysing youth narratives, by the youth and for the youth in the global South.

2. Other / Previous Research

I have previously been part of multiple civil society research consultancy project teams in Zimbabwe and in the UK. I have recently been part of a research team commissioned to carry out an evaluative exercise for Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).  When I was working at the headquarters of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, I co-led the launch of the Global Youth Mobilisation initiative implemented by the Big Six Youth Volunteering Organisations in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Foundation. I currently support research implemented under Global Development Futures, an interdisciplinary research group at Northumbria University. I am a member of the Northumbria Design Feminisms Research Group. I am also co-organising the International Volunteer Cooperation Organisations Conference (IVCO) 2024  to be held at Northumbria University later this year.

Links to Published Works:

Beckwith, L., Talhouk, R., Boyle, O., Mpofu, M., Freimane, I., Trayek, F. and Baillie Smith, M. (2023). Young Palestinians Struggles for Accountability and Participation: Beyond Formal Systems and Public Resistance. Journal of the British Academy, [online] 11s3, pp.201–224. doi: https://doi.org/10.5871/jba/011s3.201

Global Youth Mobilization (2022). Powering change: young people leading the COVID-19 response and recovery. Available at: https://globalyouthmobilization.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Global-Youth-Mobilization-Interim-Impact-Report-February-2022.pdf    King, D.; Brennan, F.; Fadel, B.; Mpofu, S. N. M.; Baillie Smith, M. (2024). IVCO 2024 Background Paper: Building and Sustaining Connections for Change: Volunteering for Solidarity. International Forum for Volunteering in Development (Forum). DOI: 10.25398/rd.northumbria.25975255

• Link to the IVO conference if people want to register: https://ivcoforum.org/