Translating research into practice through an enhanced framework for assessing FGM risk and developing evidence- based training for families

Through this postdoctoral fellowship, Dr Lana Chikhungu will provide mentorship to Dr Patience Mutunami to guide her towards publishing her thesis in a monograph and two journal articles. Other activities that Patience will undertake under the mentorship of Dr Lana Chikhungu are: organising a seminar that will attract academics and researchers across the United Kingdom to disseminate her research findings and develop further networks which will be supported by the Centre for the Advancement of Equality, Gender and Inclusion (AEGIS) which she has helped develop. Building on her applied work, and the evidence generated for her research, Patience will develop bespoke FGM training at different levels for stakeholders including solicitors, social workers, schools, civil society and families from affected communities. This will enable her to translate her research around different forms of FGM and the related harm including lesser talked about FGM type 4 (labia elongation) into more comprehensive risk assessment frameworks. She will also undertake further training in developing funding proposals and teaching to support her career progression as an academic.