Strategic Communication and Emerging Technologies: Reimagining SDG Progress in Inclusive Education and Employment in Kenya

Abstract

This study explored the intersection of strategic communication and emerging technologies in advancing sustainable development goal (SDG) progress, specifically focused on inclusive education (SDG 4). The paper analyzed the existing literature on the concepts to understand how strategic communication, leveraged through technological advancements, can dismantle barriers to access and participation for marginalized groups in education in Kenya. The objectives of the study included; to investigate the role of strategic communication in shaping positive narratives in education, to analyze the role of strategic communication in fostering supportive environments within educational institutions and to find out the challenges associated with the adoption of emerging technologies in university education. The study was guided by theories that highlight the importance of participatory design principles, ensuring that technological interventions are co-created with the communities they intend to serve, and that strategic communication strategies are sensitive and contextually relevant to leaners. The study adopted the desktop research methodology and reviewed related literature on the topic based on the study objectives outlined. The review examined how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) was being utilized to personalize learning experiences and provide accessible educational resources for learners in the universities in Kenya.  It is anticipated that the study findings will offer recommendations for policymakers, educators, and development partners, on the need for collaborative efforts to leverage strategic communication and emerging technologies to create a truly inclusive and equitable education system that empowers all Kenyan children and contributes meaningfully to SDG 4 progress.