Janet Kwami

Dr. Kwami’s academic interests include digital and social media, international communication, media studies, women and gender studies, ICT4D, communication for social change, media in Africa and research methods.

Her research focuses on the intersections of gender, information and communication technologies and socio-economic development. Her current research explores social inequity, and the a​ppropriation, use and impact of digital technologies in the global South, particularly in Ghana, West Africa. She received a multi-year National Science Foundation (NSF) research grant​ to study how marginalized communities in Africa and China self-organize with digital tools.

Dr. Kwami’s professional experience spans a wide variety of roles in the field of mass media including advertising, public relations, journalism, graphic design, multimedia production and research design.

She has published articles and research reports in peer-reviewed venues such as Studies in Comparative International Development, Communication, Culture & Critique, International Communication Gazette and Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. She teaches in the Film Studies interdisciplinary minor and is an affiliate faculty member at the Shi Center for Sustainability.​​​​​​​​

Honors

• Alester G. Furman, Jr., and Janie Earle Furman Awards for Meritorious Teaching, 2016 – 2017
• Graduate Student Award, Gender in Africa and the African Diaspora​ (GAAD) RIG, University of Oregon, June 2009
• Lorry Lokey Graduate Student Scholarship, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon, 2008 – 2009
• Kenneth S. Ghent Scholarship, University of Oregon, 2008 – 2009
• John Haines African Scholarship, University of Oregon, 2008 – 2009
• Kappa Tau Alpha, National Honor Society (Journalism and Mass Communication), June 2007​
• P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, 2006 – 2008
• International Fellowship, American Association of University Women (AAUW), 2005 – 2006
• Professor K.A.B. Jones-Quartey Memorial Award Prize for Best Graduating Student in Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Ghana, March 2002
• Mobil Award for Best Graduating Student, College of Art, University of Science and Technology, Ghana, December 2000
• Mobil Award for Best Graduating Student in Publishing Studies, University of Science and Technology, Ghana, December 2000

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) University of Oregon (2005 — 2009)
• Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) University of Ghana (2001 — 2004)
• Graduate Exchange Student University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2002 — 2003)
• Graduate Diploma University of Ghana (2000 — 2001)
• Bachelor's Degree Kwame Nkrumah' University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (1994 — 1999)
• High School Achimota School (1987 — 1993)

Companies

• Associate Professor Furman University (2016)
• Assistant Professor Furman University (2009)
• Instructor University of Oregon (2008 — 2009)
• Graduate Teaching Fellow University of Oregon, School of Journalism and Communication (2005 — 2009)
• Research Associate London School of Economics (2004 — 2005)
• Freelance Research Consultant Media Foundation for West Africa (2003 — 2004)

Skills

• Strategic Planning
• Management
• Editing

Other

Nonprofits, Qualitative Research, Grant Writing, Digital Communication, University Teaching, Media Studies, Public Speaking, Blogging, Public Relations, Teaching, Research, Higher Education, Social Media