Hawa Namiiro-Leonard

Hawa Namiiro-Leonard is a PhD candidate in Policy Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University in the Settlement, and Diaspora Policies stream, supported by the Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides PhD Stipend.

Her research in the Employment and Lifelong Learning theme examines how international students’ backgrounds, migration pathways, and adjustment experiences shape their choice to enter the workforce, their preparedness for workplace realities, and their subsequent success. 

She investigates workplace challenges, including discrimination, and explores how digital technologies for immigrant labour market integration and (re)training can strengthen skills programs and support inclusive employment.

Her academic journey spans Uganda and Canada, earning a B.A. in Economics from Carleton University and an M.A. in Economic Policy from McMaster University. She worked a decade as a policy analyst in Canada and five years managing international business in Uganda.