Research Areas

Children, youth and families, older persons, and qualitative research.,

Profile

Mayeso Chinseu Lazaro is a lecturer at the University of Malawi, specialising in children, youth and families, gerontology, qualitative research methodologies, and broader social research. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Geography and Social Sciences from the University of Hull (UK), a Master of Science (MSc) in Family Ecology and Practice from the University of Alberta (Canada), and a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Humanities from the University of Malawi. His research focuses on the dynamics of familial relationships in rural African contexts, with particular attention to children and youth, the social implications of ageing populations, and the evolving roles of caregivers. Mayeso is especially noted for his pioneering work on the role of grandfathers in caring for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Malawi, research that challenges orthodox gendered narratives which feminise OVC caregiving. This work has contributed to policy discussions around more inclusive and equitable social protection frameworks that recognise the significant contribution of older men in OVC care. He has also engaged in international research collaborations, exploring ethical considerations in child-centred research, contributing to the piloting of the Child to Child play-based learning model, implemented in Uganda, Ethiopia, and Malawi, co-authored a book chapter on the nexuses of climate change, poverty, food insecurity and ageing in Africa, as well as on integrating disability, arts, and social work in Africa. His scholarship is distinguished by its cultural relevance, ethical integrity, and its impact on social policy debates both within Malawi and across the sub-Saharan African region.

Publications

• Journal Article
  Ejuu, G., Adela, R., Lazaro, M., Mengstie, M. M., Mary, N., Jesca, A., & Miria, N. (2024). Scaling Deep the Child to Child Approach to Ease Transition From Pre-primary to Lower Primary in Uganda, Ethiopia and Malawi. Journal of Education and Development, 8(3), 20-25. (2024)
  https://doi.org/10.20849/jed.v8i3.1443

  ---

• Journal Article
  Lazaro, M.C. (2024). Corporal punishment of children in rural homes in Zomba, Southern Malawi: Moral socialisation or child abuse? Malawi Journal of Social Sciences, 23(2), 43-67. (2024)
  

  ---

• Journal Article
  Lazaro, M. C., Walker, L., & Robson, E. (2023). Invisible in Plain Sight? Grandfathers Caring for Orphaned Grandchildren in Rural Malawi. African Studies, 82(1), 43-66. (2023)
  https://doi.org/10.1080/00020184.2023.2212616

  ---

• Journal Article
  Hadfield-Hill, S., Finn, M., Dudman, J., Ergler, C., Freeman, C., Hayes, T.A., Jarman, P., Leon, L., Lazaro, M.C., Latai-Niusulu, A. and Oza, E., (2023). Expanding the scope of ethical research with and for children and young people–six viewpoints on crisis, cross-cultural working and reciprocity. Children's Geographies. (2023)
  https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2023.2259331

  ---

• Book Chapters
  Keating, N., Eales, J., Phillips, J., Avalon, L., Lazaro, M., Montes de Oca, V., Rea, P. & Tyagi, P. (2021). Critical human ecology and global contexts of rural ageing. In M. Skinner, R. Winterton and K. Walsh (Eds) Rural Gerontology: Towards Critical Perspectives on Rural Ageing (pp 52-63), Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. (2021)
  

  ---