Echidna Global Scholars Program

The Echidna Global Scholars Program at the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at Brookings seeks to catalyze and amplify the impact of local leaders working to advance gender-transformative education across the Global South. During a six-month fellowship, Echidna Global Scholars conduct individual research focused on improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender-nonconforming people, develop their leadership and evidence-based policy skills, build substantive knowledge on gender and global education issues, and expand their pathways for impact. Upon completion of the fellowship, scholars transition to the Echidna Alumni Network, a growing community of practice aimed at promoting their significant, sustained, and collective influence on gender-transformative education globally and locally. Since its inception in 2012, the Echidna Global Scholars Program has hosted 14 cohorts of fellows and currently supports an alumni network of 44 scholars from 25 different countries. This program is made possible by the generous contribution of Echidna Giving.

• Learn more about the program and the application process »
• Meet our alumni scholars »
• View our scholars’ publications »
• Attend our next event »
• Learn more about our newest class of scholars below

Please email [email protected] with any questions about the program.

2025 Echidna Global Scholars

Betty Akullo

Betty Akullo is the executive director for Women and Rural Development Networks (WORUDET), a women’s rights organization she founded in 2003 to support women and girls in rebuilding their lives in northern Uganda’s post-conflict setting. Betty holds a master’s degree in gender studies, a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB), and a postgraduate diploma in legal practice of Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

She is a seasoned social analyst in the field of human rights as well as a human rights lawyer and an advocate with over 20 years of experience and specialty in gender mainstreaming, advocacy, peacebuilding, and legal protection of female victims of human rights abuses. She has led impactful programs addressing gender inequality, economic empowerment, peace and security, climate change, women’s leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender-based violence. Her work supports women affected by conflict, incarceration, displacement, and discrimination.

Betty has mobilized women and girls into leadership roles, trained them in advocacy, and organized campaigns such as the “16 Days of Activism.” She has participated in international forums to elevate women’s concerns. Recognized as a national gender champion by the president of Uganda, she also serves on several boards, including the Association for Rehabilitation and Reorientation of Women for Development (TERREWODE).

Zaynab Gates

Zaynab Gates is an educational researcher with two decades of experience working in Latin America. She currently serves as the senior research and teacher training coordinator at the Center for Research in Education for Development (CRED).

She has been involved in the development, implementation, and assessment of teacher training programs focused on literacy with the Center for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETT) in Bolivia, teacher pedagogy with the Education for Sustainability in Galapagos (EDS) program in Ecuador, and classroom dialogue with ClassInsight in the United States. Through her work with teachers, Zaynab has developed expertise in gender equality through training in leadership capabilities, analyzing lessons learned in higher education policy, and researching the experiences of Indigenous women teachers.

Zaynab holds a doctoral degree in education from the University of California, San Diego. She is a member of the Wichí-Weenhayek people, whose traditional territory is situated between the Pilcomayo and Bermejo rivers in Argentina and Bolivia.

Racheal Kalaba

Racheal Kalaba is a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), with a collaborative specialization in women and gender studies and comparative international development education. She currently works with both the Equity Department and the Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health at Women’s College Hospital, contributing to equity-focused education and community engagement rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems.

Racheal is the founder and head of strategy at the Zambia Women Institute for Leadership and Learning (ZAMWILL), where she leads Ubuntu-centered programs that promote women’s and girls’ leadership through mentorship, STEM, entrepreneurship, and sports. She serves as the African studies senior doctoral fellow at the University of Toronto’s African Studies Centre. Her research and advocacy focus on decolonial Ubuntu feminist leadership, girls’ education, and community-based development across Africa and the diaspora.

Faith Nkala

Faith Nkala is a seasoned leader in international education and development, with 20 years of experience driving impactful strategies across Africa. Her expertise spans education, gender mainstreaming, policy analysis, research, and program management. She has a proven track record of successful collaborations with governments, international nongovernmental organizations, and funding bodies.

As country director for Education Development Trust (EDT) in Zimbabwe, Faith builds on her previous leadership in girls’ education and young women’s empowerment. In her current role, Faith collaborates with the government to strengthen continuous professional development for teachers, including by helping facilitate gender-inclusive teaching strategies that create a classroom environment that respects and affirms all students’ potential, ensuring that no child is left behind. Faith’s results-driven approach and collaborative spirit continue to create positive, lasting impact in the education sector.