Emmy Chirchir, M.A, PhD. MBS is a political scientist interested in research, policy formulation, implementation and practice.  Emmy is the research and fellowship lead and brings in a wealth of experience from her various work with international organizations such as the Africa Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), World Bank Group, World Wide Web Foundation, UNECA, African Union (AU), UNCCD, KPMG, Givewatts and Deutsche Welle.

Emmy has been researching and working on open data for more than seven years. She was a member of a core team of experts that drafted the Africa Data Consensus on behalf of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) & AU. She has worked with the World Bank Group to assess the potential of open data for business. She has also sat on the Open Data Research Symposium Committee. 

Emmy holds a PhD in Political Science from the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Germany. Her research focus was on open government and open data in developing countries looking at the intersection of ICT, public participation, public service delivery, innovation, health and economic development. Emmy is a recipient of the prestigious Moran of the order of the Burning Spear (MBS) commendation from H.E. The President of Kenya for her work on innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in Africa. Emmy is also a Co-founder and a Partner at E&K Consulting Firm.