Francesca Woodburn

Francesca is Empuaan’s Chief Executive. She took her first degree, BA African Studies and Development Studies, at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where she received First Class Honours. During her BA studies she focused largely on East Africa, studying both Swahili and Maa languages, and presenting a final dissertation on the social, cultural and demographic factors of HIV transmission dynamics among the Maasai. She then studied MSc. Reproductive and Sexual Health Research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Health, and again focused her attention on East Africa, and specifically on Maasai reproductive and sexual health issues.

Francesca has extensive teaching qualifications and experience. Since 1995 she has taught on summer and Easter courses at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, where she is Head of English within the Department of International Programmes. She is responsible for the design, coordination and teaching of credited language and film-making courses for visiting Japanese undergraduates, and heading intensive teaching visits to Nihon University in Japan.

Francesca currently splits her year equally between her commitments at the University of Cambridge and Empuaan.