Class of 2025: Jackie Wahome

Jackie Wahome, who is graduating with an MSc Politics, Communications and Data Analytics, came to Essex on a Chevening Scholarship and is now working as a policy analyst.

Born in Kenya, Jackie already had an established career as a lawyer working in advocacy and civic engagement before coming to the UK.

She chose Essex after identifying the value her course would add to her work as an advocate: “The additional element of data analytics offered by this course presented me with the opportunity to add value through my work, by empowering me to conduct evidence-based advocacy,” she said.

Her Essex education was made possible through a Chevening Scholarship - a programme sponsored by the UK government that offers outstanding individuals from around the world places at UK universities.

While at Essex, she helped to establish the East Africa Society which provides support for students from the region and share East African culture with the wider University community. The Society has since evolved into the Ubuntu Society and now includes members from East and Southern African countries.

Currently working as a policy analyst at Food4Education, a charity based in Kenya dedicated to improving education across Africa by ensuring that schoolchildren are properly fed, Jackie has also established Thinkillustrate, which aims to make information more accessible by presenting it in the form of easy-to-understand illustrations.

Known as ‘the doodling lawyer’, she hopes to help her audiences quickly grasp key messages which will help foster understanding, civic engagement and informed decision making.

“My approach bridges the gap between technical knowledge and community impact,” Jackie said.

“The late Wangari Maathai, a notable Kenyan Nobel Laureate, said, ‘It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.’ Well, mine is empowering people, one doodle at a time,” she added.