I am assistant professor in the department of political science, and affiliate faculty in African American and Africana Studies, and International Studies at the University of Kentucky. I obtained my PhD in Political Science from the University of California, Merced, where I also earned an M. A in Political science. I study the political economy of development in democratizing States, with a regional focus on Africa. Most of my work asks how political institutions, and (historical) events shape distributive politics comparatively. My work is published in the American Political Science Review.
In my first book project Dividing the National Cake: Ethnic Representation and Policy Implementation in the Nigerian Civil Service, I study how ethnic representation in the Nigerian civil service emerged from the colonial civil service. I theorize that those ethnic groups that get access to the civil service early maintain their representation and are likely to be highly represented in the bureaucracy at later times. I show that this ethnic representation has consequences for how civil service departments and agencies provide public goods to the public. It is also important for understanding what agencies are assigned with the provision of goods to various ethnic groups and how citizens view the civil service. The dissertation from which this book is based was recognized as the best dissertation completed in 2021 from the Race and Ethnic Politics Section of the American Political Science Association.
Previously, I earned an M.A and a B.A in Economics both from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. I am Igbo, from Amodu Ututu in AroChukwu Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Outside academia, I like watching soccer and I am a proud supporter of the Super Eagles and Falcons!
You can find my work on Google Scholar. You can also get in touch with me on Twitter, and LinkedIn or through email at anjohnson-kanu@uky.edu
In my first book project Dividing the National Cake: Ethnic Representation and Policy Implementation in the Nigerian Civil Service, I study how ethnic representation in the Nigerian civil service emerged from the colonial civil service. I theorize that those ethnic groups that get access to the civil service early maintain their representation and are likely to be highly represented in the bureaucracy at later times. I show that this ethnic representation has consequences for how civil service departments and agencies provide public goods to the public. It is also important for understanding what agencies are assigned with the provision of goods to various ethnic groups and how citizens view the civil service. The dissertation from which this book is based was recognized as the best dissertation completed in 2021 from the Race and Ethnic Politics Section of the American Political Science Association.
Previously, I earned an M.A and a B.A in Economics both from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. I am Igbo, from Amodu Ututu in AroChukwu Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Outside academia, I like watching soccer and I am a proud supporter of the Super Eagles and Falcons!
You can find my work on Google Scholar. You can also get in touch with me on Twitter, and LinkedIn or through email at anjohnson-kanu@uky.edu