Dr. Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi

Dr. Atikonda Akuzike Mtenje-Mkochi is a senior lecturer in Linguistics and Communication and Director of the Bingu School of Culture and Heritage at Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). Prior to joining MUST, she was a linguistics lecturer at Mzuzu University where she also served as acting deputy dean for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. She holds a PhD, MA and BA (honours) in Linguistics from University of Cape Town. She also has a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) degree from Chancellor College of the University of Malawi.

Her PhD work focussed on the phonology and morpho-syntax of the minority language varieties of Cisukwa, Cindali and Cilambya. Dr. Mtenje-Mkochi has also been a visiting scholar at the School of Oriental and African Studies of University of London. She was a recipient of the following scholarship awards: Lestrade scholarship, NRF grantholder award and the Harry Oppenheimer Institute scholarship. She is at the moment a scholar in the Innovation Scholars Programme held in collaboration with MUST and Michigan State University and USAID.

Her research interests are in phonology, morpho-syntax and micro-variation of Bantu languages. She has published a book, a monograph, journal articles and book chapters in these areas. She has presented academic papers at local and international conferences. Dr. Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi is also interested in investigating how languages particularly African languages can be effectively used for national, regional and global development. She is currently working on phonological and morpho-syntactic micro-variation patterns of closely related languages and language varieties in Malawi. She is also working on a project which is reinventing Malawian folktales for environment and climate change communication.

Dr. Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi also does consultancy work for institutions and organisations as a translator, editor, proof reader, transcriber and module developer.