Cynthia Kwakyewah
Dr. Cynthia Kwakyewah is a global sociologist with research interest in human rights and social justice, sustainable development, environmental/ climate justice, spatial inequality and civil society activism. Her scholarly work has been published in top peer-reviewed academic journals such as Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, Business Strategy and the Environment and The Transnational Human Rights Review.
Cynthia brings several years of international teaching experience in higher education. She previously worked as an Adjunct Lecturer at EM Normandie Business School’s Oxford campus in the United Kingdom. Currently, she is a Course Director in the African Studies Program at York University, where she teaches courses such as Introduction to African Studies, Culture, Democracy, and Development in Africa, and African Popular Culture.
In addition to her academic role, she is a Research Associate with the Toronto District School Board’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement, where she contributes to initiatives aimed at promoting equity and excellence for Black students.
Cynthia earned a PhD in Sociology from Oxford University (UK) as a recipient of both the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship and the Klaus Murmann Doctoral Fellowship. During her doctoral studies, she contributed to various research projects including “Business-related human rights abuses in sub-Saharan Africa: Uncovering patterns and trends, a project funded by John Fell Fund. She also co-led the History of Ordinary African People Project in partnership with the Oxford University Africa Society, underscoring her commitment to amplifying African voices on the continent and in the diaspora.
In recognition of her outstanding academic achievements, she was awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal in 2018, an honour presented to the top-performing graduate student at York University (Canada).
Office Location: 828 Ross Building North
Program Affiliation: African Studies