Martha Nangolo celebrates 11 years at IPPR

Martha Nangolo’s career has unfolded with steady progress, beginning with her early curiosity about society and leading to her role as a respected economist and public policy researcher.

As she marks 11 years at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), her story shows how determination, continuous learning and resilience have shaped a meaningful career.

Nangolo’s interest in economics was piqued by a desire to understand the forces that shape people’s lives and a need to explore the realities behind inequality and opportunity.

“I chose economics because I fell in love with the way the discipline uses logic, facts and history to explain how the world works," she told Careers.

"What attracted me most was the connection between economic theory and real-life problems,” Nangolo added.

Support from family and mentors played a crucial role in her success. Her parents, grandmother, and professional mentors instilled perseverance and encouraged her to pursue opportunities. “My parents played an enormous role in my educational journey. My grandmother was also a major source of inspiration. Professionally, Mr Graham Hopwood has been particularly influential in shaping my career,” she said. 

Her path was not without obstacles, but she turned setbacks into lessons. Nangolo said her mother encouraged her to see mistakes as lessons for growth. “Failing is an opportunity to never make the same mistake twice,” she said her mother told her. 

She kickstarted her career in broadcasting, where she gained exposure to skills that would later strengthen her policy research work.

Nangolo said the opportunity taught her how to manage responsibilities, work under pressure, and adapt to different situations. “My first significant work experience was in 2014 at Radio Energy 100 FM," she said, adding that the job "taught me communication, confidence, discipline and how to connect with different people".

Nangolo said success is about patience, self-competition and contributing to the community. “Do to others what you would want to do unto yourself. I believe success is not only about how far you go, but also about how many people you help along the way,” Nangolo said.