Nana Akua Anyidoho

My research is broadly in the areas of social policy and social development, with a focus on the person-policy nexus: I investigate the ways people interact with the policy process; not only how they are impacted by policy, but also how they adapt, resist and make sense of policy as they pursue their own visions of development.

I am interested, in particular, in how young people and women, as marginalized social groups, attempt to construct better lives for themselves through various means (notably higher education, employment and activism), all against the backdrop of generally unfavourable policy processes and structures. Thus, my research frequently explores themes of agency, participation, inclusion and empowerment.

Given the complexity of the person-policy nexus, I bring an interdisciplinary perspective to my research. I have a BA in Psychology (1997) from the University of Ghana and a PhD in Human Development and Social Policy (2005) from Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy. My background is primarily in developmental psychology and social policy, with additional training in statistics, economics and African Studies, and in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

I have published in journals in development studies, gender studies, and Ghana/African Studies, and am on the editorial boards of African Affairs, African Review of Economics and Finance, Ghana Studies, and Policy Studies.