Research Areas

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

Profile

Dr. Mayeso Chinseu Lazaro is an Educator, Researcher, and Consultant currently affiliated with the University of Malawi. Academically, he holds an interdisciplinary 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 (Malawi). His scholarly pursuits and consultancy engagements primarily delve into the intricate dynamics of familial relationships within rural African contexts, with particular emphasis on children, youth, and ageing populations, underpinned by a robust expertise in qualitative research methodologies. Dr. Lazaro has conducted pioneering research on the critical role of grandfathers in caring for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Malawi. This seminal work challenges orthodox gendered narratives that traditionally feminise OVC caregiving, thereby underscoring the significant, often overlooked, contributions of older men in family caregiving. He advocates for policy discussions aimed at developing more inclusive and equitable social protection frameworks that recognise older men as family caregivers. Beyond his foundational work on caregiving, Dr. Lazaro has been engaged in international research collaborations exploring ethical considerations in child-centred research. He has also contributed to the piloting of the Child-to-Child play-based learning model across Uganda, Ethiopia, and Malawi. His scholarly output includes co-authorship of book chapters examining the nexuses of climate change, poverty, food insecurity, and ageing in Africa, as well as the integration of disability, arts, and social work within the African context. His scholarship is consistently distinguished by its cultural relevance, ethical integrity, and significant impact on social policy debates both within Malawi and across the broader 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

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• 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)
  https://unima.ac.mw/news/attachment/803/download

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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)
  

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