Department/Unit: Institute of Youth Studies
Qualifications: PhD - Psychology MA - Psychology of Religion MA - Philosophy BA - Religious Studies Member, International Association of Positive Psychology Founding Chair, Positive Psychology Association of Kenya Member, International Association of Mission Studies
PhD Institution: Heythrop College, University of London
PhD dissertation title: Character strengths as mediators in a mindfulness-based intervention for recovery from addictive behaviour: A study in psychology of religion and positive psychology (Defended without correction).
Current research interests and projects: Principal Investigator, Research Project - Secularisation among Lapsed-Christian Young Adults in Nairobi: An Empirical Study of the Trajectories and Dynamics. Funded ($10,000) by Don Bosco Mission, Bonn, Germany. Development of training manuals for Character Coaches
Selected publication 1: Selvam, S.G. (2019). Pastoral psychology for Africa: A guide for practice. Nairobi: Paulines Africa.
Selected publication 2: Selvam, S.G. (2017). Empirical research: A study guide. Nairobi: Paulines Africa.
Selected publication 3: Selvam, S.G., & Watt, D. (2014) (Eds.) Youth in Africa: Challenges and prospects. Nairobi: Acton Press.
Selected publication 4: Selvam, S.G., & Ngure, G. (2022). Secularisation and Spirituality among Lapsed-Christian Young Adults in Nairobi: An Exploratory Study of the Antecedents, Triggers, and Response. Religions. 13(10), 968. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13100968
Selected publication 5: Giugidi, S., & Selvam, S.G. (2022). Integration of Social Critical Consciousness in Missionary Methodology for Social Transformation. Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies. 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/02653788221131903
Selected publication 6: Selvam, S.G. (2019). “Moulding his human personality”: Personality change and formation to priesthood in the Catholic Church. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 12(2) 232–245. DOI: 10.1177/1939790919827269
Selected publication 7: Selvam, S.G., & Munyiva, L. (2018). Benefits of Good Shepherd Catechesis among children with intellectual disabilities in Kenya. Journal of Religious Education, 66(3), 225-234. DOI: 10.1007/s40839-018-0069-5
Selected publication 8: Selvam, S.G., Kiige, J., & Soko, J. (2022). Conceptualising and measuring hospitality in relation to wellbeing in Kenya: Is Hospitality a Character Strength? In L. Schutte, T. Guse, T., & M. Wissing (eds.), Embracing well-being in diverse African contexts: Research perspectives (pp.99-121). Heidelberg: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85924-4_5
Selected publication 9: Litsalia, A. S., Selvam, S.G., & Pete, J. (2021). University Preparedness for Online Teaching and Learning Amid COVID–19 in Kenya. In E. Sengupta & P. Blessinger (eds), New student literacies amid COVID-19: International case studies (pp.83-100). Bingley, UK: Emeralds Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120210000041012
Selected publication 10: Selvam, S. G. (2015). Positive psychology’s character strengths in addiction-spirituality research: A qualitative systematic literature review. The Qualitative Report, 20(4), 375-404. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2015.2116
Capstone assignment title: Perceived Competencies among PhD Graduates in Kenya: A Pilot Study
Capstone assignment abstract: The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the apex of formal education. A PhD graduate is expected to contribute in terms of expertise, creating new knowledge for, and training of, upcoming generations in a society. Therefore, the number of PhD holders in a country is considered to be indicative of its economic development. While some countries such as Kenya are desperate to increase the number of its PhD holders, some authors have raised questions over educational institutions spewing out PhD graduates without ensuring the corresponding quality in term of a set of competencies. The broad aim of this study was to examine the status of fresh PhD graduates in Kenya in relation to the expected outcome competencies. The present paper reports the emerging findings of a pilot study of a survey, using an online questionnaire. In the pilot study, data from 14 participants were included. The questionnaire elicited response to items that covered the following topic areas: (a) the level of satisfaction among graduates regarding various dimensions of the PhD process in the universities in Kenya; (b) the perceived level of competence in various dimensions of expected outcomes; (c) the level of output from the PhD graduates in terms of conference presentations and publication; (d) the situation of the engagement and employment among fresh PhD graduates. The results suggested the following: on the level of satisfaction, “clarity of procedures” emerged as the highest scored item, closely followed by the level of satisfaction regarding the supervisory process; however, there was dissatisfaction about the timely feedback from the supervisors. They attribute this to the lack of sufficient number of staff in the universities who can supervise PhD candidates. Further, PhD graduates in Kenya are confident in communicating in informal settings and do not possess adequate skills in communicating in a formal set up, including writing for publication. This has been supported also by the lack of publications with the Big-Five publishers! This calls for trainings in personal academic development.
