Dr Esther Ariyo

Biography

Dr Esther Ariyo is a Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies, a Master’s degree in Health Social Work, and a doctorate from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, where her research examined multiple domains of wellbeing among children affected by armed conflict, in partnership with NGOs working with displaced communities. Esther teaches across several programmes within the School of Health and Social Care, including Speech and Language Therapy, Global Public Health, and Continuing Professional Development for health and social care practitioners. Her teaching integrates child development, global health, research methods, and evidence‑informed practice to equip students for professional and research careers. Her research focuses on children’s wellbeing, including conflict‑affected children, children in kinship care, and other vulnerable groups. She investigates wellbeing through the perspectives of positive mental health (such as subjective wellbeing, life satisfaction, and hope) and educational outcomes (including school satisfaction and educational aspirations). Esther’s methodological expertise spans quantitative survey design and analysis (primary and secondary data) alongside participatory qualitative approaches with children and families. She has collaborated with leading researchers across Austria, Spain, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Belgium, Nigeria, and Germany, and in the last five years has led studies on child subjective wellbeing and associated factors within low‑ and middle‑income countries (LMICs). Esther serves as a Research Advisory Member for UNICEF, providing expert input on evidence synthesis, research design, and strategic guidance for global child wellbeing initiatives. She acted as the Principal Investigator (PI) for two research evaluation with Essex County Council, examining interventions designed to reduce recurrent engagement with social care services. Her leadership in this project informs evidence‑based policy and practice for vulnerable children and families. Esther currently supervises PhD students from the United Kingdom, United States, Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Nigeria, supporting doctoral research in child wellbeing, social care, global health, and related areas. Before joining the University of Essex, she worked as a Lecturer at Osun State University in Nigeria, a Project Manager with non‑governmental organisations, and a Social Worker with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Nigeria.

Qualifications

• PhD University of Antwerp, (2021)

Appointments

University of Essex

• Lecturer, Division of Interdisciplinary Research and Practice, School Health and Social Care., University of Essex (9/1/2023 - present)

• Msc Global Public Health Programme Lead, School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex (5/6/2025 - present)

• Academic Adjunicator, School of health and Social Care, University of Essex (14/6/2024 - present)

Other academic

• Lecturer, Osun State University (4/1/2022 - 31/12/2022)

• Academic Editor, Social Work & Social Sciences Review (1/8/2025 - present)

• Expert Research Advisory Group, UNICEF Innocenti research initiative titled “Evidence for Strengthening Family-Based Alternative Care for Children (6/6/2025 - present)