Dr Fredrick Ajwang

Before joining the Department of Political Economy, Fredrick was an Irish Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellow at the School of Politics and International Relations at the University College Dublin for a duration of two years. Prior to that, he was a Research Fellow at the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex. His academic journey includes the completion of PhD in Development Policy at the Open University UK, an MPhil in Development Studies at Massey University New Zealand and a BSc at Egerton University Kenya.

Research

My current research explores multiple themes on African politics, including on gender quota seats at two levels. First, on trade-off debates between affirmative action and women's substantive representation in a patriarchal society, once gender quota seats are introduced. Secondly, whether the introduction of gender quota seats induces voters inter-sectional discrimination. I am also analysing social media influencers and their impact on political discourse and public opinion, the behavioural patterns and decision-making processes of African political elites—particularly in relation to pre-election coalitions, and analysis of non-state post-conflict peacebuilding processes. While my primary geographical focus has been Kenya, I am also extending my attention to Ghana especially in relation to social media.

Teaching

• African Political Economy
• Economics of Crime
• Comparing Political Systems
• The Political Economy of Organised Crime
• Research Methods

Fellowships

• British Council- Going Global Partnerships: Gender Equality Partnerships grant. (ongoing)
• Irish research Council Post-Doctoral Fellowship
• New Foundation Fellowship

Publications

• Abboude, E., Ajwang, F., Lugano, G., (In press). Social media and politics as usual? Exploring the role of social media in the 2022 Kenyan presidential elections. (Journal of Eastern African Studies).
• Ajwang, F., (Forthcoming). From conflict to coexistence: Reaffirming belonging and property rights through the 'sons of village' discourse in post-conflict Kenya. (Political Geography)
• Ajwang, F., Arora, S., Atela, J., Onyango, J., & Kyari, M. (2022). Enabling modernisation, marginalising alternatives? Kenya's agricultural policy and smallholders. Journal of International Development.
• Ajwang, F. (2020). Responsive regulation and its implications for smallholder participation in the Kenyan Fresh Fruit and vegetable export value chain. The European Journal of Development Research, 32(4), 1288-1311.
• Ajwang, F. (2020). Relational contracts and smallholder farmers’ entry, stay and exit, in Kenyan fresh fruits and vegetables export value chain. The Journal of Development Studies, 56(4), 782-797.

Under review

• Navigating the Electoral Landscape. Electoral Institutions and Strategic Political Manoeuvres in Kenya (1992-2022). Electoral Studies.

Writing

• Balancing acts: Gender quotas and women's political engagement in Kenya. Exploring the trade-offs between affirmative action and women substantive representation.
• The strength of weak ties: weakening inter-group boundaries and its implication for peace processes in Kenya.

Data collection

• The Effect of Elite Discourse on Voters Evaluations of Social Media News.

Media appearances

• Time Magazine piece of Africa-Russia relationships – July 2023. https://time.com/6298624/russia-africa-summit/
• Media appearance on Eye on Africa - France 24 – to discuss Kenya’s contribution to peace keeping in Haiti. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7480GXm6pQ
• Media appearance on Eye on Africa - France 24 – to discuss the 2022 Kenyan elections.