Dr Kondwani Wella is an experienced academic librarian with over 18 years’ working experience in university library management and leadership. He holds a PhD in Information Management from the University of Sheffield, Master's degree in Information and Library Studies from Robert Gordon University, and Bachelor of Education, and Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science from University of Malawi. Known for his innovative approach to information access and technology integration, Dr Wella has a proven track record of implementing cutting-edge library services that enhance student and faculty experience. Driven by a commitment to inclusivity, he has experience in creating spaces and collections that represent diverse perspectives.
Before joining MUST, Dr Wella worked for twelve years as College Librarian for Kamuzu College of Nursing of the University of Malawi, now Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS). He also worked as Acting University Librarian for KUHeS for two years. While at KCN and KUHeS he championed projects that transformed library services. Notable projects he accomplished are the automation of library services and the digital repository.
Dr Wella is also a researcher with a focus on information behaviour, information literacy, information experience and bibliometrics. He has also published several academic papers in international peer-reviewed journals and has served as a reviewer of some reputable journals. In terms of research grants, Wella served as the Principal Investigator (PI) of a research project funded by the National Research Foundation of South Africa to investigate the health literacy demand of COVID-19 information materials produced by the Ministry of Health in Malawi.
Before joining MUST, Dr Wella worked for twelve years as College Librarian for Kamuzu College of Nursing of the University of Malawi, now Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS). He also worked as Acting University Librarian for KUHeS for two years. While at KCN and KUHeS he championed projects that transformed library services. Notable projects he accomplished are the automation of library services and the digital repository.
Dr Wella is also a researcher with a focus on information behaviour, information literacy, information experience and bibliometrics. He has also published several academic papers in international peer-reviewed journals and has served as a reviewer of some reputable journals. In terms of research grants, Wella served as the Principal Investigator (PI) of a research project funded by the National Research Foundation of South Africa to investigate the health literacy demand of COVID-19 information materials produced by the Ministry of Health in Malawi.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7506-7777
• Selemani A, Wella K, Chen Y-F, Vicente-Crespo M, Uthman O and Igumbor J (2024) A Scientometric Analysis of Africa’s Health Science Journals Indexed in International and Regional Databases: A Comparative Analysis. Int J Public Health 68:1606415. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606415
• Nkambule, E., Wella, K., Msosa, A. et al. Patient’s experiences of diabetes care at a tertiary health facility in Lilongwe, Malawi. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 1093 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10039-z
• Ikharo, E., Gondwe, K. W., Conklin, J. L., Zimba, C. C., Bula, A., Jumbo, W., ... & Leak Bryant, A. (2023). Psychosocial experiences of cancer survivors and their caregivers in sub‐Saharan Africa: A synthesis of qualitative studies. Psycho‐Oncology, 32(5), 760-778. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.6122
• Nkambule, E., Wella, K., & Mbakaya, B. C. (2023). Voice of incarcerated male youths in Malawi’s semi-urban prisons: a qualitative study. BMJ open, 13(10). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075925
• Qan’ir Y, Guan T, Idiagbonya E, Dobias C, Conklin JL, Zimba CC, Bula A, Jumbo W, Wella K, Mapulanga P, Bingo S (2022). Quality of life among patients with cancer and their family caregivers in the Sub-Saharan region: A systematic review of quantitative studies. PLOS Global Public Health, 2(3), e0000098.
• Wella, K., Chilemba, E., Namathanga, A., & Chakhame, B. (2021). Social support for women after fistula repair: a scoping review. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2021.100649
• Nkambule, E., Msosa, A., Wella, K., & Msiska, G. (2021). ‘This disease would suit better those who have money’: Insulin-Treated Diabetes Illness Experience in rural Malawi. Malawi Medical Journal. 33(June 2021)
• Wella, K. & Webber, S. (2018). Embodying HIV and AIDS information: experiences of serodiscordant couples. Library Trends, 66(4), 442-465.
• Wella, K., Webber, S., & Levy, P. (2017). Myths about HIV and AIDS among serodiscordant couples in Malawi. Aslib Journal of Information Management, Vol. 69 Issue: 3, pp.278-293. Doi: 10.1108/AJIM-12-2016-0202
• Wella, K. (2014). The information experience and learning needs of couples living with HIV in Malawi. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 31, 4, 325-9.
• Wella, K. (2011). Planning for the University of Malawi Library automation project. Innovation: journal of appropriate librarianship and information work in Southern Africa, 43, 66-83.
• Kuchma, I and Wella, K. (2010) Open Access Advocacy Workshop: Maximising Research Quality and Impact, The African Journal of Information and Communication, Issue 10 Vol. 1, pg 73-77
• Selemani A, Wella K, Chen Y-F, Vicente-Crespo M, Uthman O and Igumbor J (2024) A Scientometric Analysis of Africa’s Health Science Journals Indexed in International and Regional Databases: A Comparative Analysis. Int J Public Health 68:1606415. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606415
• Nkambule, E., Wella, K., Msosa, A. et al. Patient’s experiences of diabetes care at a tertiary health facility in Lilongwe, Malawi. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 1093 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10039-z
• Ikharo, E., Gondwe, K. W., Conklin, J. L., Zimba, C. C., Bula, A., Jumbo, W., ... & Leak Bryant, A. (2023). Psychosocial experiences of cancer survivors and their caregivers in sub‐Saharan Africa: A synthesis of qualitative studies. Psycho‐Oncology, 32(5), 760-778. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.6122
• Nkambule, E., Wella, K., & Mbakaya, B. C. (2023). Voice of incarcerated male youths in Malawi’s semi-urban prisons: a qualitative study. BMJ open, 13(10). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075925
• Qan’ir Y, Guan T, Idiagbonya E, Dobias C, Conklin JL, Zimba CC, Bula A, Jumbo W, Wella K, Mapulanga P, Bingo S (2022). Quality of life among patients with cancer and their family caregivers in the Sub-Saharan region: A systematic review of quantitative studies. PLOS Global Public Health, 2(3), e0000098.
• Wella, K., Chilemba, E., Namathanga, A., & Chakhame, B. (2021). Social support for women after fistula repair: a scoping review. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2021.100649
• Nkambule, E., Msosa, A., Wella, K., & Msiska, G. (2021). ‘This disease would suit better those who have money’: Insulin-Treated Diabetes Illness Experience in rural Malawi. Malawi Medical Journal. 33(June 2021)
• Wella, K. & Webber, S. (2018). Embodying HIV and AIDS information: experiences of serodiscordant couples. Library Trends, 66(4), 442-465.
• Wella, K., Webber, S., & Levy, P. (2017). Myths about HIV and AIDS among serodiscordant couples in Malawi. Aslib Journal of Information Management, Vol. 69 Issue: 3, pp.278-293. Doi: 10.1108/AJIM-12-2016-0202
• Wella, K. (2014). The information experience and learning needs of couples living with HIV in Malawi. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 31, 4, 325-9.
• Wella, K. (2011). Planning for the University of Malawi Library automation project. Innovation: journal of appropriate librarianship and information work in Southern Africa, 43, 66-83.
• Kuchma, I and Wella, K. (2010) Open Access Advocacy Workshop: Maximising Research Quality and Impact, The African Journal of Information and Communication, Issue 10 Vol. 1, pg 73-77