Nuffield welcomes new British Academy Global Professor
Internationally-recognised African demographer Professor Francis Dodoo will join Nuffield College, the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and the Department of Sociology as a British Academy Global Professor in 2021.
In an announcement on 16 July, the British Academy named Professor Dodoo as one of 10 new Global Professors across the UK. The four-year British Academy Global Professorships aim to attract experienced international academics to UK universities.
Professor Dodoo’s research focusses on sub-Saharan Africa and Africans in the diaspora. He has worked in the areas of gender, power and sexual decision-making; demographic and health outcomes associated with urban poverty; inequality issues among Africans in the diaspora; and on building research capacity in Africa.
He will work at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science with its Director and Nuffield Professorial Fellow Melinda Mills on collecting data and strengthening genomic, demographic and health research in Africa, and with Professorial Fellow Ridhi Kashyap on comparing Africa’s bride-wealth with India’s dowry traditions.
On his appointment, Professor Dodoo commented:
“After the last decade or so focusing on institutional building, including my recent service as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development [at the University of Ghana], I am delighted at the opportunity to return to a full-time focus on my research. The prospect of being at the world’s top-ranked university is mind-blowing, and the brand new Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science presents excellent collaborative possibilities with exceptional scholars and students. This would be a fine opportunity to bring new expertise and knowledge on sub-Saharan Africa, assist in growing the Leverhulme Centre, and help in deepening relationships with the continent.”
Nuffield College Warden, Andrew Dilnot commented:
“We are delighted that Professor Dodoo will be joining us at Nuffield. His academic distinction, skills and experience will add greatly to our community of scholars and his work tackles issues that are critical for the world to understand better.”
For more information about Professor Francis Dodoo and his appointment, see the announcement on the Leverhulme Centre's website.