Research
The Department of Africana Studies boasts of a robust program of academic research. Our faculty are involved in collaborative work and individual writing and research. As a discipline, Africana Studies embodies a wide methodological lens and welcomes varied and creative forms of research. Among the faculty in our department are social scientists, community based researchers, theologians, writers, anthropologists. Each faculty member carries out an independent research agenda and welcomes the possibility of research assistants. Below you'll find a list of our core faculty and their current areas of research interest. Feel free to reach out to any one of them to discuss their work and possible collaborations.
Faculty Research Interests
Maria McKenna: Youth empowerment, qualitative & community based research methods, urban education, Montessori
Ernest Morrell: Critical Pedagogy, English Education, Literacy Studies, Postcolonial Studies, & Diaspora Cultural Studies
Rev. Paulinus Odozor: Moral theology, African Theology, Christian ethics, world religions and world church
Rev. Hugh Page: Hebrew scriptures, biblical studies, Christianity, Judaism in Antiquity
Jacquetta Page: Narrative writing and literature, intersectionality, gender and race
Richard Pierce: Identification and practice of race in the Midwest, Black Power, early 20th century America
Dianne Pinderhughes: Racial, ethnic and gender politics and public policy in the Americas, American civil society institutions in the 20th century, voting rights policy
Mark Sanders: African American and Afro-Latin American literature and culture
Africana Studies faculty work closely with students to navigate the research process. The Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement is one of Notre Dame's primary vehicles for supporting undergraduate research. CUSE assists with planning, design, funding, and presentation of original student research.