Francesca Manyonyi

20 years old, attending Imperial College London, UK. Francesca was awarded a Beacon Scholarship in June 2022.

Francesca is studying towards a BEng in Materials Science and Engineering. She is a committed student, putting new study skills into practice and participating in study groups, resulting in some robust performances in her modules. She has recently completed a summer internship with Gaussion and also carried out 3 months’ work with Energy Garden, experiencing cooperative business practices and environmental technology.

Embracing many elements of co-curricular life, Francesca takes part in Pilates to enhance her flexibility, bouldering for strength and attends the gym for cardio improvement. She recently choreographed and led weekly afrobeat dance rehearsals for the African Caribbean Society ‘Afrogala’ showcase.

In her role as Equality, Diversity and Culture Committee representative for her department, Francesca organises inclusion events and recently contributed to an outreach recruitment strategy to benefit schools in Kenya. She composed and edited the Materials Society 2024 magazine and is also learning sign-language as part of her commitment to inclusion, equality and diversity issues.

Francesca’s citizenship projects include addressing period poverty in Nairobi, offering a sustainable solution to empower young girls to make their own reusable sanitary products. The project draws upon Francesca’s extensive knowledge of materials. Her 3-month work experience at the Energy Garden required Francesca to give regular support to community-based projects that contribute to energy sustainability.