Focus Areas:
- Places, Networks, & Flows
- Geopolitics and the Global Economy
- Geospatial Analysis & Techniques
- Catastrophes, Conservation & Conflict
Country of Origin: Ghana
Degree Program: PhD
Entered Program: Fall 2025
Expected Graduation: Fall 2029
Dissertation Topic: Spatial diffusion of armed conflict in West Africa
Research Statement: I am an incoming PhD student in the Department of Geography at the University of Florida, specializing in the intersection of environmental change, conflict dynamics, and spatial analysis in West and North Africa. My research focuses on modeling the spread of armed conflict from the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea, with the goal of identifying regions most vulnerable to future violence.
My personal experiences as a mediator in farmer-herder conflicts have deeply informed my academic pursuits. Having witnessed first-hand how these localized disputes escalate into widespread instability, I am particularly interested in the role of climate change, resource competition, and shifting social networks in fueling conflict. Across the Sahel, these tensions have evolved into large-scale violence, with spillover effects now threatening the stability of coastal West African states. My doctoral research will examine the spatiotemporal evolution of social networks among conflicts actors to understand how alliances, rivalries, and territorial control shift over time. I will also help in developing the Spatial Conflict Dynamics Indicator (SCDI), a geospatial tool to assess and predict conflict risk, aiding policymakers in targeted interventions.
Prior to joining UF, I worked directly on conflict resolution initiatives, including leading mediation efforts on behalf of Ghana’s Ministry of National Security in high-tension zones such as Northern Ghana. This practical experience underscored the urgent need for data-driven approaches to conflict forecasting and mitigation. My research seeks to contribute to both academic debates on conflict diffusion and practical frameworks for peacebuilding in vulnerable regions.
Adviser: Dr. Olivier Walther
Educational Background
- MPhil in Geography, University of Education, Winneba, 2020
- B.A. in Social Science, University of Education, Winneba, 2017