Ireen Manase Kabembo

Ireen Manase Kabembo is a PhD Candidate in Sociology and Social Policy. She is a holder of an MSc degree in Social Structure and Social Work from Gazi University in Turkey, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Zambia. Her doctoral research focuses on the lived experiences and self-perceptions of family caregivers of youth with substance use disorders in Zambia. Ireen is also a Special Research Fellow at the University of Zambia, Department of Social Work and Sociology and the immediate past course coordinator for 'Social Work, Disability and Mental Health’. She is the current Vice-President for the Social Workers' Association of Zambia, and an emerging Practice Researcher. As an undergraduate student tutor at Lingnan University, Ireen assists with the SOC3330 Crime and Delinquency course. Her current research work is around family caregiving for youth in recovery from problematic substance use.

• Mental health
• Substance abuse
• Child Protection and Care
• Case Management for children, adolescents, and their families (HIV/AIDS Case Management)
• Gender and women’s issues
• Community Change and Development
• Social Policy and Social Protection

BSW (University of Zambia-Zambia), MSc (Gazi University-Turkey), Cert (University of Michigan School of Social Work- USA)

Publications: 

1. Ntalasha et al., (2018). An Assessment of Quality Assurance in HIV and AIDS-Related Services in Chivuna Rural Health Facility of Southern Zambia. World Journal of AIDS 08(01):37-52. DOI: 10.4236/wja.2018.81004

Awards:

1. RC49 Gifted-Student Membership by the International Sociological Association (ISA), 2021-2024.
2. Full Research Postgraduate Studentship by the Research Grants Council in Hong Kong to pursue a PhD in Sociology and Social Policy at Lingnan University, Hong Kong, 2020.
3. Certificate in Integrated Behavioural Health and Primary Care (IBHPC) by the University of Michigan School of Social Work, under their Continuing Education Program, 2018.
4. Emerging Practice Research Scholarship by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University for the 4^th Practice Research Conference, 2017.
5. Scholarship to attend the Lisbon International Learning Program on Mental Health Policy and Services by the Lisbon Institute of Global Mental Health and the Nova Medical School, Lisbon 2017.

Recent Conference Presentations:

1. April 2022- Postgraduate Conference on Interdisciplinary Learning: Rethinking Postgraduate Studies in Post-Pandemic Societies. Held from 1-2 April 2022 at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. Made a presentation on Falling through the Cracks? Access to and Utilization of Mental Health Services for Young People with Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Zambia.

2. November 2021- Participated as a gifted student member of the International Sociological Association (ISA) in an RC49 Online Symposium: The Sociology of Mental Health and Illness – Emerging Issues and Perspectives November 19th, 2021. Made a presentation entitled ‘Detached and Unserved? Access to and utilization of mental health services for adolescents with mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia.  

3. March 2021- Participated in the Postgraduate Conference on Interdisciplinary Learning: Re-imagining Postgraduate Studies in the 21^st Century and Beyond. Held from 26-27 March 2021 at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. Made a presentation entitled ‘Recovery in Substance Use Disorders: Perceptions and Experiences of Young People, their Caregivers and Service Providers in Zambia’.

Current Research:

1. Principal Investigator on the Thesis Topic; Self-Perceptions and Experiences of Family Caregivers: Their Impacts on Caregiving Roles and the Recovery Trajectories of Youth with Substance Use Disorders in Zambia.

2. Co-Investigator in charge of gender issues on the AfricitiesFood Project (Zambia) which focuses on Managing Food Value Chains for Improved Nutrition for Urban Vulnerable Populations in Lusaka City (Zambia) and Mzuzu (Malawi). This project is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Academic Year:  2022 - 2023