The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Transnational Young People of African Migrant Backgrounds

Dominic Pasura is the Principal Investigator of the ‘Religious and Spiritual Lives of Transnational Young People of African Migrant Background’ project and a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom. His areas of research interest include African studies, transnational relations and processes, diaspora studies and the sociology of religion. He is the author of African Transnational Diasporas: Fractured Communities and Plural Identities of Zimbabweans in Britain (2014). He co-edited the academic volume Migration, Transnationalism, and Catholicism: Global Perspectives (2016) and the Routledge Handbook of Contemporary African Migration (2023), which offers an authoritative multi-disciplinary overview of contemporary African international migration.

https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/staff/dominicpasura/

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7155-1107

Sarah Kazira is a Sociology PhD student at the University of Glasgow. Her research focuses on the digital placemaking activities of young individuals with migrant backgrounds. Her primary interest involves capturing, analysing, and exploring narratives that influence people’s identities, beliefs, and interactions.

PhD profile link: https://www.gla.ac.uk/pgrs/sarahkazira/#

Angela Malle is the Project Administration Assistant and arranges the monthly project meetings, any travel, catering, and rooms required. She also monitors the project budget and assists with this and a further 2 research projects. She has worked within higher education for almost a decade and has vast knowledge and experience of working in this environment. She is committed to delivering first class service and is happy to help with any other ad hoc admin requests.

Dr Nomatter Sande, who holds a PhD in Religion and Social Transformation, is a Research Associate at the University of Glasgow. His area of expertise is at the intersection of religion, migration and pastoral ministry. He has published extensively on African religions, including African traditional religions, Pentecostal Christianity and liberation theology in the African context and diaspora in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Religion in Africa, Journal for the Study of the Religions of Africa and its Diaspora, and edited books, including Gendered Spaces, Religion and Migration in Zimbabwe: Implications for Economic Development (2022) and Religion and Inequality in Africa (2023).

Dodeye Uduak Williams is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria with over twenty (20) years of academic work experience. Dr. Williams is a former Commonwealth Scholar with the Center for African Studies (2008-2009), University of Edinburgh, UK. She teaches strategic studies, peace and conflict studies, and other related courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (Nigeria), Master of Science in International Relations (Nigeria), a Master of Arts in Contemporary Global Security (Sheffield, United Kingdom), and a Doctorate degree in International Relations (Nigeria). Her current research interests tend to interrogate the complexities of the phenomena of politics, terrorism, violent extremism, and counterterrorism, particularly religious terrorism within the context of contemporary armed conflicts in Africa. She is also currently a Research Fellow at the Institute for Gender Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, UNISA.

Dr. Ntongha Eni Ikpi is a Lecturer 1 at the Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Nigeria. He specialises in Medical Sociology, Anthropology, and religion. His research in Medical Sociology and Anthropology focuses on health behaviour modification, health promotion, and the promotion of cultural and religious tolerance among different groups. He has a very strong interest in qualitative research and is a strong advocate of gender parity and community development through self-help.

Ezra Chitando serves as Professor, History of Religion, University of Zimbabwe; Extraordinary Professor, Desmond Tutu Centre for Social Justice, University of the Western Cape (South Africa) and Knowledge Management Advisor, Faith to Action Network. His research, social engagement and publication areas revolve around religion and social justice. These include religion and: youth, migration, health, development, sexuality, security, gender, politics, climate change, violence, food sovereignty, disability, decoloniality and others.

Dr Reggemore Marongedze is a literary critic, linguist, ethnomusicologist and digital humanist. He holds a BA Honours in Shona, MA in African Languages and Literature from University of Zimbabwe and a PhD in Languages, Linguistics and Literature from University of South Africa. His multidisciplinary knowledge enables a multidimensional dissection of the experiences of young African migrants in a transnational context and employing innovative multimedia approaches to share these narratives. Reggemore’s literary, linguistic, musical and digital proficiencies provide a unique lenses for unpacking the intricate theoretical, cultural, artistic, cybernetic, historical and linguistic nuances within the spiritual lives of transnational African youth.

Prof Bernard Matolino is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pretoria. His research interests in African political theory is well-suited for this project as he is interested in the effect that broken African states have on vulnerable individuals. He is interested in representing the voice of the marginalised and excluded.

UP Website link: https://www.up.ac.za/philosophy/article/42830/staff

Dr Sibusisiwe Mlambo, who holds a Masters’ degree in Community Development and a PhD in Public Management with a special focus on Peacebuilding, is a Research Associate at the University of Pretoria. Her research revolves around intervention strategies for the current violence by young people, and the intergenerational transmission of trauma and violence suffered by the older generation, who were actively engaged in the political struggle during Apartheid South Africa. She is interested in healing through storytelling and promoting peaceful coexistence for everyone, be it foreign nationals or local people.

Jami Abramson works with a charity called Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team (EYST). EYST was established in 2005 to ensure all ethnic minority young people could reach their full potential in Wales. Working with EYST since 2014, Jami supports young people by providing opportunities to explore identity (including culture, faith, and heritage) and migration in a Welsh context. She has also trained young peer researchers to explore the cumulative impact of racism upon ethnic minority young people in the Welsh education system.

In collaboration with EYST Wales, Jami is undertaking her PhD in Human Geography at Swansea University. Her research entitled “Sensing Wales: conflicting identities and belonging for ethnic minority young people in Wales” aims to explore ethnic minority young people’s experiences with places, particularly in relation to their idea of identity and sense of self.

Abiodun James Aderele (B.A.ED English Language (OAU Ile-Ife), B.A. Religious Studies (ACU, Oyo), MDiv Th., Mphil., PhD(World Religions) “in View” (NBTS, Ogbomoso). He is a Baptist minister and theological educator who serves as an Associate Director (Research and Partnerships) & Journal Editor at the Institute of Family Life and Societal Development, Akure, Ondo State. He has lectured at the Baptist College of Theology, Igede-Ekiti and held Teaching Assistant position at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. He has authored a book, chapters in books and journal articles nationally and internationally on Religious Theologies, Missiology, Comparative Religion, and Peace and Conflict Studies. Research on “The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Transnational Young People of African Migrant Background” is an extension of his research in religion.

Tinotenda Hondo works with a charity called Plan International,  and is a passionate champion for human rights and social justice.  She works with children and young people, focusing on gender equality, girls rights and inclusion.  Tino brings a wide range of experience in research and developing programmes across various areas and contexts including education, SRHR, youth empowerment and leadership among others.  She is also a lead trainer in gender equality, faith-based approaches, social norm change etc. A psychologist by training, Tino is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology at Great Zimbabwe University. 

I am Adeniyi Taiwo Grace, a 300L applied psychology student at the University of Lagos. My field of study, which translates to Guidance and Counselling, has helped me develop a particular enthusiasm and interest in being a member of the Young People Advisory Group (YPAG).

Dr. Thabani Mutambasere is a Lecturer in African Studies and International Development in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. His interdisciplinary research interests include, but are not limited to, African diasporas, particularly how they contribute to their countries of origin via non-economic routes such as politics, development, and humanitarianism. Thabani’s previous work also includes religious transnationalism, specifically how Zimbabwean Catholics in the UK contribute to the development of their country of origin through charitable and humanitarian acts. He also explores diaspora citizenship, belonging, identity, transnationalism and the notion of food as remittances.
Link to the University of Edinburgh page:

https://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/thabani-mutambasere

Ismaeel Oladunni works with an Islamic and Cultural Welfare trust called the Nigerian Muslim Association Birmingham (NIMAB). NIMAB was established in 2002 to serve as a center of excellence, to propagate Islamic and Nigerian culture among its members. Working with NIMAB Ismaeel teaches young members Islamic education during the weekends. He has trained young members during a summer program on Islamic and Nigerian (Yoruba) culture education. Ismaeel is a B.Ed, M.Ed holder in Educational Management and Economics from University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is currently on another Masters in International Business with Human Management at Ulster University, Birmingham Campus, United Kingdom.

Akinmayowa Akin-Otiko, is a Senior Research Fellow in the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos. He is a Principal Investigator in the Bayreuth Academy of Advanced African Studies (BA). His research interest cuts across the religionscultures and medicine of the Africans. He engages in theory development in African Studies and conflict resolutions. He has written books on the indigenous religions of the Yoruba and well as their medicine. He is currently a PI and co-PI on different projects such as a Cluster funded project entitled, Ethics Dumping Across Africa, and the African Realities Project of the NAGEL Institute, Calvin University, USA.