My Research

• Citizenship; empowerment and disempowerment
• New Media and Political Participation
• Media and Democratization in Emerging Democracies
• Media Policy
• Journalism Ethics and Practices
• Development Communication.
• African Media
• Public Relations

Conference Presentations and Papers

 I presented a paper titled  ‘Remote Teaching During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Personal Reflections’, at Wits Center for Learning and Development (CLTD) Lockdown Learning: Telling Our Stories Conference., University of the Witwatersrand,  Johannesburg, August 2-4, 2021. 

I presented a paper titled 'Democratic Ideological Contestation and Citizens Engagement: Case Study of #OurMumuDonDo of Nigeria' at the Wits Anthropology Seminar Series, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 12 March, 2020.

I presented a paper titled 'Indigenous language Broadcasting in Ghana: The Quest for Sustainability' at the Crowded out or Limitless Horizons? Minority Language Media in the Digital Age' at University of Edinburg, United Kingdom, 16-17 October, 2019.

I presented a paper titled 'Classism' and Social Protest in Ghana: The Case of OccupyGhana' at Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER). 18 March, 2019.

I was part of a round table discussion on China in Africa organized by Dr. Chris Patterson and Dr. Toussiant Nothias at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. 10 December 2018.

I presented a paper titled 'Contestations and Media Reforms in Nigeria and South Africa' at the African Studies Association United Kingdom Conference. 12 September, 2018.

I presented a paper titled 'Approaches and Issues in Media Studies Curriculum Decolonization' at University of Fort Hare Teaching and Learning Colloquium. 17-18 October 2017.

I presented a paper titled 'Approaches and Issues in Media Studies Curriculum Decolonization: Contestations and Way Forward' at the Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of the Witwatersrand Decolonization Colloquium.

I presented a paper titled 'Rethinking Large Class Teaching and Learning Practices in Higher Education' at the South African National Resource Centre, First Year Experience and Students in Transition. 24-26 May 2017.

I presented a paper titled 'The Representation of the #BringBackOurGirls Social Movement by the Nigeria Press: Case Studies of Vanguard and Guardian Newspapers' at the African Media and Democracy Conference. 25-26 August, 2016, Accra, Ghana.

I presented a paper titled '#BringBackOurGirls: Space for Engagement or Disengagement?' at the iCS Symposium Protest Participation in Variable Communication Ecologies: Meanings, Modalities and Implications Conference. 24-26 June 2015, Sardinia, Italy.

I presented a co-paper titled 'Privacy and Information Disclosure on Facebook: Big Data and South Africa Generation Y students' at the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association (ANZCA) 2014 Conference. 9-11 July 2014, Melbourne, Australia.

I presented a paper titled 'Rethinking Media Pluralism: An Examination of the Nigerian Media Ecology' at the Sixth Global Communication Research Association (GCRA) Australia International Conference. 14-16 February 2014, Sri Lanka.

Presentation of a co-authored paper titled "Mobile Phone Addiction Among Students’ at a South Africa University" at the 15th Annual International Conference of the Global Business and Technology Association, 2-6 July 2013, Helsinki, Finland.

I presented a paper titled "The Right to Communication: Global Power Shift and Policy Formulation in Ghana" at the 40th Anniversary of School of Communication, Simon Fraser University, 7-9 June 2013, Canada.

I presented a co-authored paper titled 'Challenges and Complexities of Media Regulations: A Comparative Study of Media Practices in Emerging Democracies' at the 11th Annual International Conference on Communication and Mass Media, 13-16 May 2013, Athens, Greece.

I presented a paper titled "Democratising the Media in New Democracies of Ghana and Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects", at the African Studies Association United Kingdom Conference, Leeds, September, 2012.

I presented a joint paper titled “Convergence, Citizens Engagement and Democratic Sustainability in Emerging Democracies: The Case of Ghana and Nigeria” at the 6th Annual ICS Conference, Leeds, May, 2012.

I presented a paper titled “Community Radio in Emerging Democracies: Bridging the Information Gap. Case Study-Radio Ada in Ghana”, at the 1st Annual Community Media Forum Europe Conference, Nicosia Cyprus, November, 2011.

I presented a paper titled “Media Freedom in transitioning democracies: cases of Nigeria and Ghana”, at the ICA Political Communication Graduate Student Preconference in ICA 61st Annual Conference 2011. College of Communication Boston University, United States of America.

I presented a poster titled “Media Responsibility Or Irresponsibility?” at the Faculty of Performance, Visual Arts, and Communications (PVAC) poster conference. University of Leeds. March, 2011.

I presented a paper titled “Community Radio Regulation and its Challenges in Ghana”, at the 2nd Edition of [email protected] Conference, Lisbon, Portugal. March, 2011.

I participated in a round table debate on “Synergies in Building Africa Media Ecology and Advancing Democracy”, at the 6th Annenberg/Oxford Summer Institute in Global Media Policy, University of Oxford, July, 2010.

I presented a paper titled “The Fairness Clause: An Examination of Media Freedom during Electioneering Period in Nigeria”, at the Africa Media and Democracy Conference Accra, August, 2010.

I presented a paper titled “Media Freedom in Young Democratic Societies: Case of Nigeria”, at the Leeds Institute of Social Science. University of Leeds, July, 2010.

I presented a poster titled “Which Way Forward for Ghana’s Media?” at the Faculty of Performance, Visual Arts, and Communications (PVAC) poster conference. University of Leeds, 2010.

I presented a paper titled “Media Freedom Debate Revisited The Need for Localization of Ideas in Young Democratic Societies: Case of Ghana”, at International Conference Local and Regional Media in the Democracy and Civil Society Shaping Process in Nowa Ruda, Poland & Broumov, Czech Republic, November, 2009.

I presented a paper titled “Impact of Regulatory Framework on Media Freedom in Young Democratic Societies: Cases of Nigeria and Ghana” at 3rd Annual PhD conference at University of Leeds, June, 2009.

Publications

Chari, T. & Akpojivi, U. (2023). Communication Rights in Africa: Emerging Discourses and Perspectives. London: Routledge. (edited book, In-press, due July 2023).

Akpojivi, U. (2023). Social Movements, Protest Action and Activism in Africa.  New York:  Palgrave, (In-press, due June 2023). 

Akpojivi, U. Remote Teaching During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Personal Reflection. In B. Wuetherick, et al (Eds). Online Learning, Open Education and Equity in the Age of COVID-19. Center for Engaged Learning. Open Access Book Series. Elon University Press. (Accepted, In press).

Akpojivi, U. & Olaniyan, A. (2023). "The Nigerian Press and Its Plutocratic Relationship", in H. Mabweazara, and B. Pearson Media Capture in Africa and Latin America: Power and Resistance. New York: Palgrave (in press). 

Akpojivi, U (2023) “Cosmopolitan Media, Contestation, and Critique: International Media Governance Standards from Nigerian Perspective”, in S. Ganter and H. Badr (Eds.) Media Governance- A Cosmopolitan Critique. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pg. 103-123).

Mututwa, W. & Akpojivi, U. (2022).'Critical Journalism in times of Covid-19: Representation of Corruption in Zimbabwean Online Newspapers', in C. Dralega, and A. Napakel, (Eds.) Health Crisis and Media Discourses in Sub-Saharan Africa. Chem: Springer, pg. 75-93.

Akpojivi, U & Mgbeadichie, C. (2022). 'Values Generation and Regeneration, An Examination of Osita Osadebe Songs in Igbo Cultural Value Presentation', in A. Salawu & I. Fadipe, Eds. Indigenous African Popular Music: Vol 1. Pop Music, Culture and Identity Book Series. New York: Palgrave, pg. 279-300. 

Alfandika, L. and Akpojivi, U. (2022). 'Towards Media Policy Reform: An Examination of Media Policy Activism and its Impact on Zimbabwe Media Reform Process'. Journal of African Media Studies, Vol. 14 (3), pg. 403-419

Mwaura, J. and Akpojivi, U. (2022). 'As COVID hit Kenya and South Africa, Race and Class Fears Were Amplified on Twitter'. The Conversation, April 18. 

Akpojivi, U. and  Aiseng, K. (2022). 'Framing of Political Leaders During the #BringBackOurGirls Campaign by the Nigerian Press: A Comparative Study of Guardian and Vanguard Newspapers'.  Frontiers in Communication, Vol. 7, Article 853673, pg. 1-10.  

Mwaura, J. & Akpojivi, U. (2022)  'Imagine dying from an overseas disease, when you don't even own a passport: A Critical Analysis of Twitter conversations in the wake of COVID-19 in Kenya and South Africa'. Journal of African Media Studies, Vol 14 (1), pg. 29-44.

Chawana, F. & Akpojivi, U. (2022) 'Violence for Social Change: An Analysis of #FeesMustFall Movement in South Africa', in I. Chiluwa, Ed. Discourse, Media and Conflict: Examining War and Resolution in the News. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pg. 213-232

Chari, T. & Akpojivi, U. (2021). 'Media and Global Pandemics: Continuities and Discontinuities', Introduction to special Issue titled Media and the Coronavirus Pandemic in Africa. Journal of African Media Studies, Vol. 13 (3), pg. 305-315.

Fosu, M. & Akpojivi, U. (2021). 'Is there an opportunity for ethnic journalism in indigenous language broadcasting in Ghana? A study of Fafaa Radio'. Journal of Multilingual and  Multicultural Development. Online first. Awaiting volume . 

Olaniyan, A. & Akpojivi, U. (2021). 'Transforming Communication, Social Media, Counter-Hegemony and the Struggle for the Soul of  Nigeria'. Information, Communication & Society, Vol. 24 (3), pg.  422-437.

Akpojivi, U & Fosu, M. (2021). 'African Language Journalism in Ghana and the Quest for Quality Journalism: An Investigation of Peace FM', in A. Salawu, Ed. African Language Media Development and Sustainability. London: Routledge, pg. 204-223.

Akpojivi, U. (2020). 'We Are Not All #ZumaMustFall: Further Reflections'. Social Identities: Journal for the Study of Race, Nation and Culture, Vol. 26 (5), pg. 642-659.

Alfandika, L. & Akpojivi, U. (2020). Contestation of Ideas: Media Activism, Media Democracy in Zimbabwe. African Journalism Studies, Vol. 41 (2), pg. 33-48

Akpojivi, U. (2020). 'I won't be Silent anymore: An examination of the #BringBackOurGirls Feminism Discourse in Nigeria'. Communicatio: South African Journal for Communication Theory and Research, Vol. 45 (4), pg. 19-43.

Aiseng, K. & Akpojivi, U. (2019). 'Anthropological Vs Orientalist Representation: Issues with the National Geographic Channel'. Visual Anthropology, Vol. 32(5): 445-459.

Aiseng, K. & Akpojivi, U. (2019) 'Online Media and Elite Accountability in Africa: The Case of Sahara Reporters and amaBhungane'. Communicatio: South African Journal for Communication Theory and Research, Vol. 45 (1), pg. 16-32.

Akpojivi, U. (2019) 'The Grassroots Media and Social Media Adaptation: Case Study of Urhobo Today” in A. Salawu, Ed. African Language Digital Journalism and Social Media. London: Routledge, pg 91-112.

Akpojivi, U. (2018). Media Reforms and Democratization in Emerging Democracies of Sub-Saharan Africa. New York: Palgrave.

Akpojivi, U. (2018) 'Euphoria and Delusion of Digital Activism: Case Study of #ZumaMustFall' in F. Endong, Ed. Exploring the Role of Social Media in Transnational Advocacy. New York: IGI, pg. 179-202

Nyarko, J. & Akpojivi, U. (2017) 'Intimidation, Assault, and Violence Against Media Practitioners in Ghana: Considering Provocation', SAGE Open, Vol. 7 (1), pg. 1-12

Akpojivi, U. (2017) 'Rethinking Privacy in a Connected World' in T. Chari & N. Mhiripiri, Eds. Media Law, Ethics, and Policy in the Digital Age. New York: IGI, pg. 268- 285

Schalkwyk, V.; Akpojivi, U. & Bevan-Dye, A. (2015) 'South African Small Independent Retailers’ Knowledge of the Consumer Protection Act', The Retail and Marketing Review, Vol. 11 (2), pg. 19-28.

Bevan-Dye, A. & Akpojivi, U. (2015) 'South African Generation Y Students' Self Disclosure on Facebook', South African Journal of Psychology, Vol. 46 (1), pg. 114-129.

Akpojivi, U. & Fosu, M. (2015) 'Indigenous Radio Broadcasting in Ghana: Retrospect and Prospect' in A. Salawu & M. Chibita. Eds. A Book of Readings: Indigenous Language Media, Language Politics and Democracy in Africa. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pg. 121-150.

Fosu, M. & Akpojivi, U. (2014) 'Media convergence practices and production in Ghana and Nigeria: Implications for democracy and research in Africa', Journal of Applied Journalism and Media Studies, Vol 4 (2), pg. 277-292.

Akpojivi, U. (2014) 'Democratising the Media in the New Democracies of Ghana and Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects', Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies, Vol 35 (3), pg. 86-103.

Akpojivi, U. & Bevan-Dye, A. (2015) 'Mobile Advertisements and Information Privacy Perception Amongst South African Generation Y Students', Telematics and Informatics, Vol 31 (1), pg.1-10.

Akpojivi, U. (2014) 'Rethinking Media Pluralism: An Examination of the Nigerian Media Ecology', Journal of Global Communication, Vol. 7(1), pg. 29-37.

Akpojivi, U. (2013) 'Attitude towards Information Privacy amongst Black South African Generation Y Students: A Study of Loyalty Cards', Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, Vol 4(3), pg. 647-658.

Mahlangu, B. & Akpojivi, U. (2013) 'Mobile Phone Addiction Among Students' at a South African University', in N. Delener, L. Fuxman, F. Lu, S. Rodrigues, & L. Rivera. Eds. GBATA 2013 Reading Book.EBSCO Publishing, pg.605-610.

Akpojivi, U & Fosu, M. (2013) 'Challenges and Complexities of Media Regulation: A Comparative Study of Media Practices in Emerging Democracies', Atiner Conference Paper Series, No: MED2013-0403, pg.1-16

Akpojivi, U. (2013) 'Looking Beyond Elections: An Examination of Media Freedom in the Re-Democratisation of Nigeria' in A. Olorunnisola, & A. Douai. Eds. New Media Influence on Social and Political Change in Africa. New York: IGI, pg.84-100

Fosu, M. & Akpojivi, U. (2013) 'Convergence, Citizens Engagement and Democratic Sustainability in Emerging Democracies: The Case of Ghana and Nigeria', Journal of Mass Communication and Journalism, 3 (1), pg. 1-5.

Akpojivi, U. (2012) 'Community Radio Regulation and

 Its Challenges in Ghana', Journal of African Media Studies, Vol 4 (2), pg. 193-207.

Akpojivi, U. (2011) 'Media Freedom Debate Revisited the Need for Localization of Ideas in Young Democratic Societies: Case of Ghana', in I. Biernacka-Ligieza, & L. Kocwin, eds. Local And Regional Media-Democracy And Civil Society Shaping Process. New Ruda: Wydawnictwo, pg.403-415.

Akpojivi U: The FOI Act: Beyond the Euphoria, Guardian Newspaper, June 27, 2011.

Akpojivi, U: Law and Disorder in Lagos: Matters Arising, Guardian Newspaper, November 18, 2010.

Akpojivi, U: Rebranding and other issues, Guardian Newspaper, October 28, 2010.