The Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Emmanuel Chiwetalu Ossai as Lecturer in Religion and Politics in the Global South.

Dr Ossai holds a PhD from Edinburgh University, and joins Lancaster from Manchester Metropolitan University, where he was a Postdoctoral Fellow on a project entitled Religious Communities in the Virtual Age.

Dr Ossai’s work focuses on the religious dimensions of peace, conflict, politics, migration, and health. His PhD examined the contribution of religion to peacebuilding in Nigeria, and his writing has appeared in Ethnic and Racial Studies, African Security, Studies in World Christianity, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, and Religion Compass.

“It is a great privilege to welcome Dr Ossai to Lancaster,” noted Professor Christopher Macleod, Head of Department. “His appointment adds to our existing and historical strength in the study of Global Religions. Emmanuel’s expertise on peace and conflict will also allow PPR to continue to engage with the emerging political challenges of the twenty-first century.”

“I am delighted to join a department historically connected with Ninian Smart, who was in many ways the founder of the field of Religious Studies. His work has shaped my own approach to the study of Global Religions through his significant contributions to the phenomenology of religion”, states Dr Ossai. "PPR presently consists of a unique set of experts in my field, with whom I am deeply honoured to work. I look forward to contributing to the Department’s strengths in religion and politics in the Global South.”

Dr Ossai’s teaching at Lancaster will focus on religion, peace, and conflict; global indigenous religions; religion and politics in Africa; and research methodology. He will be available to supervise PhD students working on the interaction between religion and peace, conflict, and/or politics in the Global South. He is also interested in studies of African and other indigenous concepts and practices related to peace, conflict, and politics.