Advocacy for Change
Welcome to my academic and professional portfolio. Explore my impactful journey, a reflection of my work over the past four years as a PhD student in special education at the University of Arizona, focusing on inclusive education, disability rights, and community-driven change in the South, particularly in Mozambique. I'm an international learner from the South of the globe, whose desire is to enrich my academic and professional experience so far.
My name is Vanessa Macamo, and I'm dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities through education and advocacy. I'm a Fulbright Doctoral Fellow. I earned my Master's in Law (International and Comparative Disability Law Policy) at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and I'm pursuing my Doctoral studies in Special Education at the University of Arizona in the United States of America (USA).
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Professional & Academic Highlights
Journey
🎓 Fulbright Doctoral Fellow – University of Arizona
Advancing research on inclusive education and disability rights with a focus on the Global South ( Mozambique).
🎙️ An International Mozambican international leader who is transparent founder that develops new minds with my podcast show Inclusive Voices in Action.
A national Mozambican educational podcast promoting disability rights, leadership, and inclusive education.
📚 Published in International Journals & Encyclopedias
Contributions to books, peer-reviewed publications, and reference works on inclusive education and disability studies.
🎥 Creator of O Cantinho da Sissi (TV + YouTube Program)
An inclusive early childhood education platform blending classroom teaching, media, and community advocacy.
🌍 Advocate for Youth, Disability Rights & Inclusive Education in Mozambique
Engaging in research, media, and policy work to promote equity and amplify marginalized voices.
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👩🏾🎓 About Me :
I stand alongside learners, families, and communities who are too often overlooked, especially in spaces of disability rights, inclusive education, and multilingual equity.
My work is grounded in real partnerships with youth, educators, and organizations across Mozambique, the U.S., and beyond where advocacy is not just theory but daily practice.
As a professional, I carry both my academic training and my lived experience into every project. I lead by creating spaces where diverse voices are amplified, where children and youth can see their identities reflected with dignity, and where educators have tools to honor cultural and linguistic diversity.
In this portfolio, I share not just research and scholarship, but also the collaborations, volunteer work, and service roles that keep me accountable to the people I represent. These are the communities and organizations shaping me as much as I am shaping the work and they reflect my commitment to education as service, leadership, and social change.
My journey into special education was shaped by my experience as a preschool founder and principal in Mozambique, where I saw firsthand the barriers children with disabilities and their families face in accessing education. These experiences inspired me to dedicate my academic and professional life to advancing equity and inclusion, particularly from early childhood onward.
🌱 Professional Philosophy
I believe education is both a human right and a tool for justice. Research must be participatory and grounded in community realities, especially in the Global South. I view inclusive education as beginning in early childhood and requiring not only classroom practices, but also systemic reforms in leadership and policy. My philosophy is that scholarship, practice, and advocacy are inseparable in advancing equity and ensuring that no child is excluded.
🎯 Career Goals
Through my doctoral journey, I aim to influence inclusive education policy and practice in Mozambique and across the Global South. My long-term goal is to bridge scholarship with leadership preparation, teacher training, and community advocacy, ensuring that inclusive education becomes a lived reality for children with disabilities and their families.
An International Student From Mozambique
