Research Interests:
Africa and African Diaspora Studies, Ethonogenesis, Postcolonial Theory, Transnational Identity Politics, Globalization and Development, African Religions, Church History and Chistian MissionsBio:
Raymond K. Awadzi is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies (anthropology track) (GSS), at the Florida International University (FIU). His current research focuses on the new African diaspora initiatives, and ramifications for the socio-cultural, political, and economic developments in Africa and the African diaspora. His work delves into the emergent vertical and the horizontal transnational networks among the African diaspora, mobilization, and deployment of capital for their socio-cultural, political, and economic transformation with a focus on the West African Ewe ethnically based diaspora communities in North America. Raymond received his BA in Political Science and Study of Religions in 2008, and an MPhil in Study of Religions in 2011, all from the University of Ghana, Legon. He obtained MA in Religious Studies and MA in Global and Sociocultural Studies, at Florida International University, Miami. Raymond Awadzi has a rich experience in teaching and research. He works as an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies, FIU, Miami after serving as a teaching and research assistant at the University of Ghana, Legon. Raymond applies his interdisciplinary background to research and teaching on Africa and the African diaspora, identity politics, transnational and transcultural networks, religion and public spaces, church history and Christian missions, through the lenses of postcoloniality, invention of tradition, ethnogenesis, reverse mission, and sociocultural theories, and concepts. Awadzi aspires to use his rich experience to address socio-cultural, economic, and political injustices in our world through research, teaching, and learning.
