Multimedia University of Kenya’s media scholar and communication expert Prof. Wilson Ugangu will deliver a keynote address at the 4th International Research Conference for Mass Communication, which will be held from June 16–17, 2025, at Kabarak University.
Prof. Ugangu, who currently serves as Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Media Studies at MMU’s Faculty of Media and Communication, will speak on ‘Disruption and Change: Rethinking Communication Borders and Boundaries in the AI Era,’ an address that is expected to anchor discussions around how innovation, particularly AI, can be harnessed to advance media practices without compromising ethical standards.
With nearly two decades of experience in teaching, research, and media practice, Prof. Ugangu is widely known for his contributions to communication scholarship and policy development in Kenya and across Africa.
A former President of the East Africa Communication Association (EACA) from 2018 to 2023, Prof. Ugangu’s work extends beyond academia. He has held strategic communication roles with global institutions such as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), and the African Council on Communication Education (ACCE). He has also offered consultancy services to leading organizations including UNESCO, UN Women, JICA, and COMESA, and has led media-focused programs for the Africa Woman and Child Feature Service (AWC).
In 2021, Prof. Ugangu played a central role in the formulation of Kenya’s national media policy as part of a government-appointed task force. That same year, he conducted a comparative study on press freedom and media landscapes in East Africa for DW-Akademie, highlighting his regional media research roles and contributions.
By Nicanor Ndiege