Dr. Michael Munene

A distinguished academic, researcher, and interior design expert specializing in  universal design, disability mainstreaming, and inclusive public policy. He holds a Ph.D. in Interior Design with a focus on disability inclusion and has led internationally funded research addressing accessible urban public transport and inclusive environments in Africa. As part of the Volvo Research and Educational
Foundations (VREF) "Mobility and Access in African Cities" programme, he served as a principal researcher on two major projects: “Towards a Disability-Inclusive Urban Transport System in Accra and Nairobi – A Policy-Practice Agenda (SITUATE)”, and “Removing Barriers to Disability-Inclusive Urban Transport System (Policies and Regulations) in Accra and Nairobi (SITUATE 2)”, conducted between 2021 and 2024.

These projects contributed to evidence-based frameworks for inclusive mobility and informed the publication of his co-authored policy brief “Towards PWDs – Inclusive Urban Transport System in Nairobi, Kenya”, published in June 2022.As a university lecturer and mentor, Dr. Munene has supervised numerous postgraduate students and contributed extensively to scholarly discourse through publications, policy development, and academic forums.  His leadership extends beyond academia through his former role as Board Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), where he played a key role in institutional policy development, accountability, and disability inclusion in governance. With strengths in evidence-based research, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building, he continues to influence the intersection of design, policy, and social equity, championing inclusive development in both academic and national contexts.

SKILLS
University Teaching & Curriculum Development | Postgraduate Supervision & Mentorship | Academic Research & Publishing | Grant Writing & Project Management | Disability Mainstreaming & Inclusion Strategy | Universal Design & Accessibility Standards | Policy Development & Knowledge Translation | Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy | Strategic Planning & Academic Governance | Capacity Building & Cross-Sector Collaboration

AWARDS

Dr. Michael Munene has received several prestigious awards, including the DIAR Award for PWD Inclusion Champion in 2023 and a Ph.D. Fellowship at the University of Nairobi from 2015 to 2018.