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Hallo!

I am a design researcher, and I am curious about people, technology, and the social world. Professionally, I study how people use technology to achieve personal and work goals, and how we can help them succeed more efficiently and meaningfully.

I did a PhD in Communication at the University of Washington in Seattle where I studied how presidential political campaigns use digital media for political organizing and voter mobilization in Sub-Saharan Africa. My doctoral committee comprised Prof. Matthew Powers (Communication, University of Washington), Profs. Kirsten Foot, Leah Ceccarelli (Communication, University of Washington),  and James Long (Political Science, University of Washington).

I also have a Certificate in Technology Entrepreneurship from Foster School of Business at the UW, a Master’s in African Studies from the University of Oxford (UK), and a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication from the University of Jos (Nigeria).

I enjoy traveling, hiking, kayaking, biking, playing soccer, and board games. When I’m not doing any of these, I may be volunteering to teach/mentor some cool first-generation high students through the UW Making Connections program.

The easiest way to contact me and get a timely response is via email: contact (at) madeiza.org.

Education History
PhD Communication
University of Washington, United States2019

Dissertation: study of how presidential campaigns use digital media for internal organization and voter mobilization.

Technology Entrepreneurship Certificate
Foster Business School, UW, United States2018

Program exposes students to some of the best practices in starting and growing a business across different industries.

MA Communication
University of Washington, United States

Thesis: study of how local campaigns use digital media for political mobilization.

MSc African Studies
University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Thesis: study of how young people in new democracies use digital media for political mobilization.

BA Mass Communication
University of Jos, Nigeria

Program focuses on a wide range of communication professions including public relations, journalism (broadcast, print, and online), and information management.

Work Experience
Redmond, WA
Design Researcher, MicrosoftDec 2020 - Present
Vancouver, BC
Design Researcher, Microsoft2019-2020
Redmond, WA
Design Researcher, MicrosoftJan-Dec 2019
Seattle, WA
Graduate Teaching Associate, University of Washington2016 - 2018

These are courses I assisted professors to teach.

  • Introduction to Communication (Winter 2018)
  • Mass Media Law (Autumn 2017)
  • Mass Media Law (Spring 2017)
  • Intellectual Foundations of American Journalism (Winter 2017)
  • International Media Images (Spring 2016)
Seattle, WA
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Washington2013 - 2016

These are courses I assisted professors to teach.

  • Introduction to Communication (Winter 2016)
  • Introduction to Communication II (Autumn 2015)
  • Public Debate (Spring 2015)
  • Introduction to Communication (Winter 2015)
  • Qualitative Research Methods (Autumn 2014)
  • Introduction to Public Speaking (Spring 2014)
  • Introduction to Communication (Autumn 2013)
Seattle, WA
Instructor of Record, University of WashingtonSummer 2015, 2016, 2018

These are courses I exclusively designed and taught.

  • Introduction to Communication (Summer 2018)
  • Introduction to Communication (Summer 2016)
  • Navigating Information Systems (Summer 2015)

 

San Francisco, CA
User Experience Research Intern, AirbnbJune 2017 - September 2017
Seattle, WA
Project Manager, Digital Activism Research Project2013 - 2017
Leuphana University, Germany/Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria Lead Researcher, User Research Lab2012 - 2013
Lagos, Nigeria/UK
Nigeria Product Researcher, Canadean Group2012 - 2013
Lagos, Nigeria
Founder and Managing Editor, Scholars Hub Africa2011 - 2017
London, UK
Work Experience, BBC World Service for Africa2012
Oxford, UK
Editor/Webmaster, Oxford Media Society2011-2012
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards

2016

Chester Fritz International Research and Study Fellowship, University of Washington Graduate School

Peter Clarke Research Grant, Department of Communication, University of Washington

2015

Mortar Board Jones Campbell Scholarship, University of Washington

2014

Visiting Predoctoral Fellowship, School of Public Policy, Central European University, Budapest

Travel Grant, Graduate and Professional Student Senate, University of Washington

Ottenberg-Winans Fellowship, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

Research Grant, Department of Communication, University of Washington Joint Faculty Research Grant with Prof. Philip Howard, University of Washington

2012

Fieldwork Research Grant, University of Oxford

2011

Eni Scholarship, St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford

Sample Coursework

Here is a sample of relevant courses I have taken at the University of Washington.

Core PhD

  • R Programming
  • Fieldwork Research
  • Methods of Inquiry
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Advanced Statistical Methods in Communication
  • Science, Technology, and Public Policy
  • Political Communication
  • Theories of Technology and Society
  • Communication Theory
  • Technology and Development in Africa
  • Liberation Technology

Technology Entrepreneurship

  • Foundations of Entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurial Strategy
  • Entrepreneurial Finance
  • Venture Capital
  • Business Plan Practicuum
  • Entrepreneurial Marketing
  • Visual Communication
  • Design Research

A bit of fun 🙂

  • Folk Dance
  • Zumba
Scholarly/Professional Memberships
  • American Political Science Association (APSA)
  • International Communication Association (ICA)
  • International Political Science Association (IPSA)
  • User Experience Professsionals Association (UXPA)