Senior Associate, HESPI Kenya
Dr. Beatrice W. Churu is a Senior Associate at HESPI’s Kenyan office, bringing extensive expertise in religious studies, mental health, and community transformation. With over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience at Tangaza University College, she has made significant contributions in the fields of culture, mental health, and wellbeing, focusing on human and community development in Africa. Holding a Ph.D. in Religious Studies, a Master's in Counselling Psychology, and certification as a Character Coach, Dr. Churu has built an extensive career in academia, research, and social services. She is a registered counselor with the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) and has served in various leadership roles, including Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Tangaza University, where she has championed interdisciplinary curriculum development, academic quality assurance, and faculty development.

Her research interests are centered on psycho-spiritual, cultural, and trauma-healing resources for African communities, with a focus on fostering positive transformation through education and collaborative research. Dr. Churu is deeply committed to enhancing human and community resources through training, collaborative research, and publications that explore the intersection of education, development, and well-being.

Her work extends beyond academia, with key contributions in international conferences and published works on topics such as African identity, spirituality, youth development, and education. She has also been involved in significant community-based projects, including HIV stigma reduction initiatives, and is an active member of several professional associations, including the Positive Psychology Association of Kenya. (founding board member); the Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association, the World Forum on Theology and Liberation (Executive committee member); International Association for Mission Studies; Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians; Circle for Concerned African Women Theologians, and the Association for the Promotion of African Studies.

Dr. Churu's passion for education and leadership is evident in her dedication to re-focusing educational endeavors on families and communities, driving transformative learning, and promoting psycho-spiritual healing across the African continent.