Dr Mercy Nduku Ngungu
Dr Mercy Ngungu is a Data Manager - research specialist in the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) research programme. She holds an PhD Science in Mathematical Statistics (approved with distinction). a Masters in Mathematical Technology from Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa and a BSc. Hons. Actuarial Science form Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya. Mercy specialises in quantitative research with key specialities in data modelling using machine learning techniques, data & analytics (database design & administration, data management, data analysis), survey designs, and reporting..
Experience and special projects: She is an established data scientist with her expertise spanning over 13 years in the actuarial, mathematical and statistical modelling spaces. She has undertaken projects for organisations such as, SANDF, SA DoH, LGSETA, DPSA, AfDB, SA DoE, IEC, KPMG, SARS, SA Standard Bank, SA ABSA Bank, USAID and the World Bank..
Prior to joining HSRC Mercy worked as an Actuarial analyst for SolveCo Actuarial consultants, Eagle Africa insurance brokers and KPMG as a Senior analyst specialising in financial modelling, product development and data & analytics. Currently, Mercy is the lead data manager for South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) which is an annual nationally representative survey that tracks societal values in changing times from 2003, The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Voter Participation Surveys (VPS), Elections Satisfaction Surveys (ESS), Food Security and Nutrition Survey and many other quantitative research projects at DCES.
Publications: Her research interest is in estimation methods with incomplete data and predictive modelling using machine learning with applications in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Her estimation methods have been applied in climate change, finance, epidemiology & ecology research, published in journals and presented in conferences..
UKRI GCRF NEWTON FUND COVID COLLABORATION
The study will investigate the experiences and perceptions of people with diverse impairments (PWD), revealing whether they feel their human rights ha....
Assessment of the implementation and enforcement of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC)
Development of rating metrics / scorecard to objectively assess South Africa's compliance with Articles 5, 6, 8 and 10 of the AUCPCC design and imple....
Limpopo 2020: Evaluating Armed Forces Day
The main aim of this study is to determine the impact of Armed Forces Day 2020. Armed Forces Day will be held in Limpopo on 21 February 2020 and a co....
Damage to Property, Intimidation, Threats, Harm and Killings of Councillors, Municipal Officials, Senior Municipal Managers and Members of the Ward Committees
The purpose of the study is to develop a historical database for the period of 2000 to 2018 that looks at,1) the killing of Councillors, senior munici....
Strengtheneing Women Economic Empowerment in the Blue Economy
To provide technical advice and support on women's economic empowerment issues in the Indian Oceans Blue Economy to the IORA secretariat and Academic ....
SANDF - Armed Forces Day Project
More specifically the research will aim to determine if: (i) The event served to unite South Africans behind the SANDF; (ii) The event allowed the SA....
Research for the Gauteng Transformation Policy on Vulnerable and Designated Groups
The policy on mainstreaming of designated/vulnerable groups is aimed at creating an enabling environment to facilitate the full development of targete....
LGSETA- Local Government Sector Education & Training Authority
To develop a concept document on the challenges facing the AET in the local government with emphasis on municipalities. To provide a detailed analys....