Head of Advisory and Consultancy - Cubahiro International School
Leads advisory and consultancy work at cis.edu.bi, supporting school leadership and institutional development.
Academic | Applied Linguist | Educator
Dr Sally Mburu
Dedicated educator and academic leader with expertise in applied linguistics, literature, communication, sociolinguistics, and international relations.
Currently Head of Advisory and Consultancy at Cubahiro International School.
PhD
Applied Linguistics
East Africa
Teaching & leadership
2026
Recent publications
Profile
Dr. Sally Mburu is an educator, researcher, consultant, and academic leader whose work is deeply rooted in the transformative power of education. Passionate about inspiring young people and fostering holistic learning, she is committed to nurturing learners' intellectual, personal, emotional, and social growth within diverse educational contexts.
She holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics, a Master's degree in English, a Master's degree in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, and a Bachelor's degree in Literature. Her interdisciplinary academic background positions her at the intersection of language, education, communication, culture, and global engagement.
Dr. Mburu has extensive experience in teaching, curriculum and program development, faculty mentorship, instructional leadership and communication studies. As a consultant and advisor in learning and teaching, she has worked closely with educators and school leaders to strengthen pedagogical practice, promote academic excellence, and advance learner-centred education within internationally minded learning environments.
Her professional interests are grounded in meaningful and transformative education that empowers both educators and learners while cultivating critical thinking, creativity, cultural awareness, empathy, and responsible global citizenship.
Her research interests include:
- Applied Linguistics
- Language and Communication
- Media Studies
- Gender Studies
- Children and Youth Development
- Women and Society
- Culture and Identity
- Education and Curriculum Development.
- International and Intercultural Studies
Dr. Mburu's work particularly explores the relationship between language, culture, identity, media, and social transformation within educational spaces, with a strong commitment to inclusive, reflective, and globally responsive education.
- Full name
- Mburu Njoki Salome
- Nationality
- Kenyan
- Fields
- Language, Education, Communication, Culture, Global Engagement
- Academic leadership
- Dean, Head of Department, Project Coordinator
- Research interests
- Applied Linguistics; Language and Communication; Media Studies; Gender Studies; Children and Youth Development; Women and Society; Culture and Identity; Education and Curriculum Development; International and Intercultural Studies
Academic Experience
Olivia University, Bujumbura
Dean, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences & General Studies. Taught communication, political education, literature, and English while overseeing academic programs and faculty.
Centre for Modern Languages, Olivia University
Project Coordinator responsible for English curriculum development, policy manual drafting, and coordination of international English tests.
Busitema University, Uganda
Head of Department, Languages. Lectured in sociolinguistics, Shakespeare, and general communication, and led curriculum development and faculty mentorship.
Cavendish University & Bugema University, Uganda
Lecturer in international law, life skills, professional English, and intensive English; supported academic research and student mentoring.
Nu-Vision High School, Rwanda
Head of English Department and instructor for Cambridge and national programs.
Education
2024
PhD in Applied Linguistics
Laikipia University, Kenya
2019
Masters in International Relations & Diplomacy Studies
Cavendish University, Uganda
2018
Masters in English
Kampala International University, Uganda
2012
Introduction to Cambridge Secondary 1
University of Cambridge International Examinations
2010
Bachelor's in English and Literature
Bugema University, Uganda
2007
Diploma in Education - English
Bugema University, Uganda
Research & Publications
Gender, Power, and Participation: The Impact of Sexist Discourse on Female Bodaboda Riders in Biashara Ward, Kenya
Representing Dirty Language on Social Media: A Multimodal Examination of Facebook Content
Negotiating Power and Identity Through Taboo Language: A Case of Commercial Sex Workers in Bujumbura, Burundi
The Agony of the Crying Wombs: Dealing with Infertility, A Case of Barren Women in Kampala, Uganda
Skills & Areas of Expertise
Academic Leadership & Educational Advisory
Program oversight and strategic academic coordination; curriculum design and development; policy formulation and implementation; faculty mentorship and instructional leadership; advisory support to school leadership teams including Heads of School; quality assurance and academic improvement planning across diverse and international school contexts.
Teaching, Learning & Subject Expertise
English Language and Literature; Applied Linguistics; sociolinguistics; Shakespeare and literary analysis; communication studies; political education; life skills education; and learner-centred pedagogy grounded in inquiry, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement.
Curriculum Innovation & International Education Excellence
Design and delivery of competency-based and interdisciplinary learning programmes; development of literacy and language acquisition frameworks; advancement of intercultural understanding and globally engaged learning. Strong expertise in implementing and strengthening the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy, with a clear commitment to developing internationally minded learners, reflective thinkers, and responsible global citizens within diverse and complex educational environments.
Extensive experience working in multilingual, multicultural, and fragile contexts, including Somalia and Burundi, with a focus on continuity of learning, inclusion, and educational resilience.
Research, Media & Social Inquiry
Research and applied expertise in language and communication, media studies, gender studies, youth development, culture and identity, and education reform. Focus on the dynamic relationship between language, society, and transformation within educational and social spaces.
Digital, Administrative & Community Engagement Skills
Strong digital literacy supporting academic administration, documentation, and reporting; experience with data-driven decision-making tools and cloud-based collaboration systems; effective online communication and virtual coordination; community engagement and youth mentorship; commitment to holistic learner development, wellbeing, and safeguarding.
Featured Video
Latest Articles
View all articlesMay 10, 2026
Why Teachers Teach But Learners Don't Learn
A reflection on moving beyond content coverage toward active inquiry, emotional safety, independent thinking, and learning that prepares young people for life.
Read articleMay 10, 2026
Building Learner-Centred Schools in Complex Contexts
How thoughtful advisory work, instructional leadership, and continuity planning can strengthen learning communities in multilingual and fragile settings.
Read articleContact
For academic collaboration, speaking, teaching, consultancy, or research inquiries, contact Dr Sally Mburu directly.
Professional Inquiries
Dr Sally Mburu is available for academic collaboration, speaking, teaching, consultancy, curriculum development, and research conversations.