#FaradayPathways Chrispin Gogoda

Having grown up in Malawi marveling at solar panels, Dr Chrispin Gogoda’s academic journey has led him full circle. He completed his MSc and PhD in the UK, where he studied renewable energy systems technology at Loughborough University and has now returned to Malawi. There, he is spearheading the country’s energy storage transition through leadership roles at Mzuzu University, and as a Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador, promoting energy storage research and networking in his country and across the Global South.

Early years and education

From an early age, Chrispin’s aspirations leaned towards traditional engineering, with his interest in renewable energy coming later.

“I remember trying to build a steam-powered locomotive engine in secondary school. We had no idea what we were doing, but it was exciting.

“I saw solar panels and always wondered how it was that the sun could power a radio. It felt like magic – I didn’t understand the science behind it at all until I got to university.”

At Mzuzu University, Malawi, Chrispin pursued a BSc in Renewable Energy Technologies where he graduated with a First Class Degree. The programme opened his eyes to the potential of clean energy solutions in Malawi and across the Global South.

The move to the UK 

Following his graduation, after a few years teaching at Mzuzu University, Chrispin’s curiosity, and encouragement from colleagues, led him to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Renewable Energy Systems Technology at Loughborough University in the UK. While he embraced the move, Chrispin was candid about challenges he faced during this transition. 

“It was a big change. The pace of life, the weather (particularly in winter), even the academic environment was different, which I found challenging. But the access to resources and the quality of the research environment was incredible.” 

Chrispin’s experience in the UK also helped him hone his research interests. During his Master’s, he became fascinated with energy storage systems. 

“I started with being interested in hydrogen, but when I went back home, I realised battery failures were the biggest problem with our energy systems in Malawi.” 

That realisation inspired the focus of his PhD at Loughborough when he was awarded another Commonwealth Scholarship. As part of his research, he developed a low-cost, remotely controlled battery testing rig, designed specifically to support off-grid energy solutions in low-resource environments. This work led to his first-author publication, Promoting Battery Testing in Developing Countries Through Development of a Low-Cost Battery Test System, which highlights the importance of accessible testing infrastructure for advancing energy access. 

Returning to Malawi and building local capacity 

After finishing his PhD, Chrispin made the decision to return to Mzuzu University. He wanted to ensure the knowledge he had gained abroad would benefit his home country. 

“There were challenges. Many of the projects I had left behind when I travelled to the UK had stalled. The equipment and resources I had access to in the UK weren’t here. I had to start from scratch again.” 

Chrispin didn’t let constraints from resources hold him back, and he now holds multiple roles at Mzuzu University, such as Head of the Energy Systems Department, Coordinator of the Test and Training Centre for Renewable Energy Technologies, and Head of the Solar PV and Energy Storage Research Group. He is a valued member of the CESET team (which explores the potential of community energy systems to accelerate inclusive, just and clean energy transitions in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique). He is also a member of the technical advisory committee for ESCOM, Malawi’s electricity provider, helping guide a national project on large-scale battery storage. 

Bridging the global research gap as a Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador 

In 2024, Chrispin was appointed as a Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador, a programme set up in partnership with the Transforming Energy Access Learning Partnership (TEA-LP), as part of the Ayrton Challenge on Energy Storage (ACES).  

As Battery Ambassador for Malawi, Chrispin plays a key role in gathering battery experts in his country and enabling knowledge transfer and skills development that supports the advancement of the clean energy transition. He also uses his role to connect research from the Global North with the Global South. 

“Much of the battery research, globally, is conducted in the Global North, under conditions that don’t reflect the realities in the south, such as here in Malawi. We need to localise it. That’s what I’m trying to do – test batteries under our conditions, with our climate and usage patterns in mind.” 

Chrispin is currently working with partners to bring battery testing infrastructure to Malawi, and is advocating for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Battery Storage in the country. His recent publications include Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity ,  How to build resilient community energy systems? Lessons from Malawi and Ethiopia and Pioneering Community Energy for Development in Malawi (Chapter 9, Community Energy and Sustainable Energy Transitions: Experiences from Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique). 

Reflections and aspirations for the future 

Chrispin’s journey hasn’t been easy. Funding his undergraduate studies meant juggling work with classes. During his PhD, he was out of action for six months following a battle with COVID post-viral fatigue, and found balancing family life, especially after moving his family to the UK during his doctoral studies, added another layer of complexity. Despite challenges, Chrispin persevered. 

“Becoming a Battery Ambassador, building the battery testing rig, and receiving national and international recognition – those are some of the proudest moments of my career. 

“I couldn’t have done it without my family – having people to share my challenges with made a huge difference.” 

Looking ahead, Chrispin has ambitious aims, hoping to support the country’s goal of 70% electrification by 2030, up from its current 25%.  

“Solar energy is the future for Malawi; but alone, it isn’t enough. Without batteries that work well under our conditions, we’ll keep seeing system failures. That’s why I’m so passionate about this work.” 

As for his advice for aspiring researchers from the Global South studying abroad, Chrispin emphasises the importance of retaining a strong connection to their home communities. 

“Be patient, stay curious, and make sure you bring your knowledge back home with you. It’s not enough to just study abroad, you must find ways to adapt and apply that knowledge locally. That’s where the real impact happens.” 

Read more:

• Read more about the Battery Ambassador Programme 
• Explore how the Faraday Institution is leading the Ayrton Challenge on Energy Storage to advance energy storage technology for emerging economies 
• Discover the Test and Training Centre for Renewable Energy Technologies (TCRET) at the Department for Energy Systems at Mzuzu University 
• Watch this short video about the Battery Ambassador Programme 
• Explore the Commonwealth Scholarship opportunities offered to citizens from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries 

#FaradayPathway written by Rebecca Dawes, Science Communications Intern, and published October 2025.