'Studying in the UK gave me the skills and confidence to influence the future of conservation.'

Kennedy Lemayian grew up in northern Kenya. As a child from the Samburu community, he spent his days herding livestock alongside the local wildlife, experiences that sparked a lifelong commitment to conservation.

After receiving support through a GREAT Scholarship, Kennedy completed a master’s in Conservation at the University of Kent. Then he won a place to study for a combined PhD in Conservation Science and Anthropology at Yale University, researching how climate change and social change are shaping human-elephant conflict.

He reflects on how studying in the UK strengthened his research skills, opened new opportunities and prepared him for a career helping shape the future of conservation.

‘I wanted to understand how we could protect the wildlife I grew up with’

I come from the Samburu community in northern Kenya, where wildlife has always been part of everyday life.

As children, we would herd livestock while surrounded by zebras, impalas, elephants and many other animals. As I grew older, I began noticing that things were changing.

Animals that had once been common were becoming harder to find. Species that I remembered from childhood were disappearing, and conflict between people and wildlife seemed to be increasing.

I remember asking my uncle why this was happening. He encouraged me to study conservation, and that changed the direction of my life.

I went on to work for Save the Elephants in Kenya, first in conservation education and later as a research assistant, helping communities understand and manage human-elephant conflict.

The work made me realise I wanted to deepen my knowledge and develop the research skills that would allow me to make an even greater contribution.

‘Studying in the UK gave me the skills to take the next step in my career’

A colleague encouraged me to apply to the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent.

The university was exactly what I was looking for, but the challenge was funding.

Getting support through a GREAT Scholarship, alongside additional funding from Save the Elephants and friends, made it possible for me to study in the UK.

For me, that was the light at the end of the tunnel.

I had spent years collecting data and working closely with communities, but I didn’t always have the confidence to turn that work into scientific publications.

At the University of Kent, I learned how to analyse my research, write scientific papers and communicate my findings much more effectively.

Those were exactly the skills I had hoped to gain and they became some of the most valuable things I took away from my time in the UK.

‘The experience prepared me for opportunities I never imagined’

My first journey to the UK was an adventure from the very beginning.

It was my first time travelling internationally, and my colleague and I arrived in London late at night after our luggage had gone missing in the Netherlands.

We only had a screenshot of a map and no real idea where we were going.

At one point, we asked a group of strangers for directions. When they said, “Bring your bags,” I remember thinking we should prepare to run.

Instead, they kindly walked us all the way to where we needed to be. That kindness stayed with me.

When I arrived at the University of Kent without any luggage, my professor brought in his own clothes for me to wear. Then other people began donating clothes too. By the end, we had so many that we were able to give some away to charity.

It was an unforgettable welcome.

Academically, I also found exactly what I had been looking for. We were a small group, which made it easy to get to know people, ask questions and learn from each other.

‘The skills I gained in the UK continue to shape my career today’

For my master’s dissertation, I researched human-elephant conflict and elephant movement in northern Kenya.

It became my first published paper as lead author. That experience gave me the confidence to continue developing as a researcher.

After returning to Kenya, I took on a new role coordinating human-elephant coexistence projects before being awarded a scholarship to begin my PhD at Yale University.

Today, my research explores how climate change, social change and changing landscapes influence human-elephant conflict.

The scientific writing and research skills I developed in the UK remain central to my work every day.

They helped me publish my research, strengthened my academic work and gave me the confidence to contribute to international conversations about conservation.

‘I want local communities to have a stronger voice in conservation’

Looking ahead, I hope to continue working across research, conservation and policy.

I want to help influence the decisions that affect wildlife and the people who live alongside it, whether that’s through academia or conservation organisations,

For me, it’s especially important that local and indigenous communities have a stronger voice in those conversations.

Too often, decisions are made without the perspectives of the people who know these landscapes best.

When I think about studying in the UK, I don’t just think about gaining a qualification.

I think about gaining the skills to communicate my research, the confidence to contribute internationally and the opportunity to help ensure that local knowledge is heard alongside scientific evidence.

I’m continuing to build on those foundations today.