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Zindaba Chisiza

Professor, Drama and Theatre Studies https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4657-4996
  • 18
    Citations
  • 3
    h-index
From OpenAlex, an open index of scholarly works, matched to this researcher's ORCID.
As of 16 Oct 2026 · View on OpenAlex

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Brief profile


  • I am Professor of Drama and Theatre for Development. My research utilises arts-based methodologies—including theatre, radio, film, and technology—for socially engaged research. I specialise in masculinities, gender, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health, with a specific focus on adolescents, young people, and marginalised communities. I am the author of Arts for Development, Masculinities and Gender in Malawi (Palgrave Macmillan) and the editor of Theatre and Media for Social Chan... Read more

Research fields of focus

Youth Political Participation

Education/Academic Qualification


  • University of Leeds

  • Qualification
    PhD in Theatre Studies (School of English, Workshop Theatre)
  • Start year - Award year
    2014 - 2017
  • Address
    Leeds, Leeds, GB

  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  • Qualification
    Master in International Performance Research (Theatre Studies )
  • Start year - Award year
    2010 - 2011
  • Address
    Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, NL

  • University of Warwick

  • Qualification
    Master in International Performance Research (School of Performance and Cultural Studies)
  • Start year - Award year
    2010 - 2011
  • Address
    Coventry, Coventry, GB

  • University of Malawi

  • Qualification
    BA in Drama (N/A)
  • Start year - Award year
    2005 - 2009
  • Address
    Zomba, Southern Region, MW

Undergraduate courses


  • DRA314 - Acting A
  • DRA211 - Introduction to African Theatre
  • DRA411 - Script Writing IIA
  • DRA221 - Introduction to European Theatre
  • DRA325 - Acting B
  • DRA422 - African American Theatre
  • DRA421 - Advanced Theatre and Drama Research B
  • DRA414 - Advanced Acting A
  • DRA412 - Performance and Cultural Studies
  • DRA415 - Advanced Directing A
  • DRA211 - Introduction to African Theatre
  • DRA414 - Advanced Acting A
  • DRA412 - Performance and Cultural Studies
  • DRA211 - Introduction to African Theatre
  • DRA311 - Drama/Theatre Research
  • DRA414 - Advanced Acting A
  • MFD413 - Project Planning and Management
  • MFD215 - Ethnographic Film
  • MUSED311 - Philosophical Foundations of Music Education
  • DRA221 - Introduction to European Theatre
  • DRA321 - Drama/Theatre Proposal Writing
  • DRA326 - Directing B
  • DRA424 - Advanced Acting B
  • DRA111 - Elements of Drama
  • DRA121 - Theatre Appreciation/Criticism
  • DRA122 - Theatre Practice B
  • DRA222 - Theatre and Drama in Education
  • DRA113 - Introduction to Acting
  • DRA123 - Acting (stage, radio, film)
  • DRA315 - Directing A
  • DRA317 - Directing A

Postgraduate courses


  • TMCD5125 - Theatre for Development
Filters for Research Outputs
Sustainable Development Goals
Type
Publication Year

2026

An Arts-Based Approach to Comprehensive Sexuality Education with School-Going Adolescents in Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza, Lusizi Kambalame

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.4324/9781003730903-10

Malawi comprehensive sexuality education arts-based education adolescents sexual and reproductive health

Community Arts from the Margins

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.4324/9781003730903

community art marginalized communities grassroots art social inclusion

From the Margins

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.4324/9781003730903-12

Social change high school students theatre for development youth agency harmful cultural practices

Interview

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza, Prosper Kompaoré

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.4324/9781003730903-6

Social Justice Resilience Social justice marginalized communities theatre for development

Introduction

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.4324/9781003730903-1

community art marginalized communities theatre for development socially engaged art Theatre of the Oppressed

The funky and fun fusion model: A creative learning approach for school-going adolescents in Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : journal-article

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.1080/13569783.2025.2597985

Malawi high school students harmful cultural practices social advocacy drama in education

Arts for Development, Masculinities and Gender in Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-20351-9

Masculinity Malawi gender development

Edutainment: Youth Masculinities, Gender Equality and Social Justice

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-20351-9_4

Social Justice Social justice gender equality edutainment youth media

In Search of a Real Man

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-20351-9_2

Hegemonic masculinity Poetry Masculinity University of Malawi social norms

Interlinked effects of climate change on youth sexual reproductive health and rights, gender equality and access to education: a review of the literature and stakeholder insights from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia

Author(s) : Anne Karam, Hannah Kabelka, Joseph...

Research output : journal-article

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.3389/fclim.2026.1792268

Malawi climate change impacts gender-based violence adolescents gender equality

Introduction

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-20351-9_1

Masculinity University of Malawi gender transformation arts-based interventions gender and development

Real Men Are Not Threatened by Women

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-20351-9_3

Masculinity men women gender relations

Reclaiming language and form in Malawian theatre: a decolonial approach at the University of Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : journal-article

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.1080/10137548.2025.2604511

Cultural Identity Cultural identity University of Malawi decolonial theatre indigenous languages

“I Am an Activist Now”: Conclusion and Reflections on the Brother2Brother Programme

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2026, doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-20351-9_5

Masculinity Malawi gender-transformative approaches program impact

2025

Acting on Accountability: Towards a Youth-Led Arts-Based Model for Good Financial Governance in Northern Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza, Uchizi C. Munyenyembe,...

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2025, doi: 10.4324/9781003648437-9

Malawi transparency gender equality theatre for development youth empowerment

Brother2Brother: The Development of an Arts-Based Gender-Transformative Programme at the University of Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2025, doi: 10.4324/9781003648437-6

Masculinity University of Malawi gender-based violence gender norms youth empowerment

Introduction: Theatre and Media for Social Change in Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2025, doi: 10.4324/9781003648437-1

Social change Malawi development theatre media

Theatre and Media for Social Change in Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book

Publication Year: 2025, doi: 10.4324/9781003648437

Malawi community dialogue sleeping sickness tsetse flies street theatre

A Footprint in the Flour

Author(s) : Ali Campbell with, Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2025, doi: 10.5040/9781350435094.ch-5

2023

Community bylaws concerning sexual and reproductive health and rights in Machinga District, Malawi: to what extent are they responsive to young people's needs?

Author(s) : Maryse Kok, Alister Munthali, Peter...

Research output : journal-article

Publication Year: 2023, doi: 10.1186/s12939-023-02054-7

Gender inequality Sexual and reproductive health and rights Malawi social norms youth

2019

Exploring Educational Theatre & Peer Learning to Combat Stigma & Myths about Albinism in School Settings in Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : book-chapter

Publication Year: 2019, doi: 10.1515/9781787446953-007

Stigma Albinism Malawi myth educational theatre

Exploring Educational Theatre & Peer Learning to Combat Stigma & Myths about Albinism in School Settings in Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : other

Publication Year: 2019, doi: 10.1017/9781787446953.006

Stigma Albinism Malawi theatre in education myth

Using theatre for development to engage boys in examining masculinity and HIV in two Malawi schools

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : journal-article

Publication Year: 2019, doi: 10.1386/jaah.10.1.87_1

Masculinity Gender inequality Malawi participatory theatre school-based intervention

2017

Participatory Theatre as a Practice as Research Tool for Engaging with Young Men to Interrogate Masculinity and HIV in Malawi

Author(s) : Zindaba Chisiza

Research output : journal-article

Publication Year: 2017, doi: 10.33011/partake.v1i2.377

Masculinity Sex education Malawi university students participatory theatre

Community bylaws concerning sexual and reproductive health and rights in Machinga district, Malawi: To what extent are they responsive to young people’s needs?

Author(s) : Maryse Kok, Alister Munthali, Peter...

Research output : other

Publication Year: , doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3347935/v1

Gender inequality Sexual and reproductive health and rights Malawi social norms youth

Awards

Professional Services

  • University of Malawi

  • Role
    Founder & Chairperson, UNIMA Theatre Festival
  • Years active
    2023 - N/A
  • Location
    Zomba, Southern Region, MW

  • University of Malawi

  • Role
    Founder and Director, Brother2Brother programme
  • Years active
    2018 - N/A
  • Location
    Zomba, Southern Region, MW

Funding and grants acquired

  • Ndife Amodzi: Using theatre-based activitism to mobilise young people in promoting, supporting and protecting the rights of persons with Albinism.

    grant_number: 2018-003
  • Type
    Contract
  • Period
    2018-02 - 2018-04
  • Funder
    United Nations Entity for Gender Equity and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
    Lilongwe, Lilongwe, MW

  • Brother2Brother (B2B): A creative gender transformative programme for young men in Malawi

    grant_number: N.G.2018.06811
  • Type
    Grant
  • Period
    2018-08 - 2019-06
  • Funder
    Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development
    Amsterdam, NL

  • Culturindaba: A workshop on Malawi performance traditions and fine traditions

  • Type
    Grant
  • Period
    2018-08 - 2018-08
  • Funder
    HIVOS Southern Africa
    Harare, ZW

  • Mobilising university-based youth and first time voters towards issue-based politics in Malawi.

  • Type
    Grant
  • Period
    2019-03 - 2019-05
  • Funder
    National Democratic Institute
    Lilongwe, MW

  • Supporting the implementation of good financial governance innovativeness through a Theatre for Development approach in five districts in Malawi

    grant_number: 83360193
  • Type
    Grant
  • Period
    2020-09 - 2021-06
  • Funder
    Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
    Lilongwe, MW

  • Mapping exercise of Malawi’s arts and cultural industries

  • Type
    Grant
  • Period
    2023-02 - 2023-12
  • Funder
    Rei Foundation Limited
    Auckland, NZ

  • Promoting sexual and reproductive health education among adolescents through creative and youth-led practice in India, Malawi and Uganda

    grant_number: AH/R006040/1
  • Type
    Grant
  • Period
    2017-12-01 - 2019-11-30
  • Funder
    Arts and Humanities Research Council
    Swindon, GB

  • The RTrT Partnership: Reducing Traffic-related TraumA - A community-based prevention and first-response programme intervention for Malawi and beyond.

    grant_number: MC_PC_MR/R024731/1
  • Type
    Grant
  • Period
    2018-03-04 - 2019-12-03
  • Funder
    Medical Research Council
    London, GB

  • Making research funky and fun: Using creatives practice to meaningfully engage adolescents on evidence-based research

  • Type
    Grant
  • Period
    2023-01 - 2033-06
  • Funder
    UNICEF
    Lilongwe, MW
Filters for projects
Fields of study
Project type

Employment and positions held

  • Professor of Drama and Theatre for Development

    University of Malawi — Drama and Theatre Studies
  • 2026-07-17 - Present
  • Zomba, Southern Region, MW

  • Associate Professor of Drama

    University of Malawi — School of Arts, Communication and Design
  • 2020-07-01 - 2026-07-16
  • Zomba, Zomba, MW

  • Senior Lecturer in Drama

    University of Malawi Chancellor College — Fine and Performing Arts
  • 2017-07-01 - 2020-06-30
  • Zomba, Southern Region, MW

  • Lecturer in Drama

    University of Malawi Chancellor College — Fine and Performing Arts
  • 2012-10-01 - 2017-06-30
  • Zomba, Southern Region, MW

Professional Activities

  • International Advisory Board Member

    Royal Holloway, University of London
  • period - 2023-02-01 - Present
  • Surrey, GB

  • University Senator

    University of Malawi
  • period - 2026-07-01 - 2029-06-30
  • Zomba, Southern Region, MW