Halmos Faculty Presents at African Studies Conference

Ismael Muvingi, Ph.D., faculty in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies (DCRS) in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center (HCAS) presented at the 2022 African Studies Association conference held in Philadelphia.

Muvingi’ s presentation was part of a panel on Urban Africa and the COVID-19 pandemic. His presentation addressed the paradox that global health forums including the World Health Organization predicted that due to poor health infrastructure and limited resources, Africa would suffer catastrophic impacts from COVID-19.

In fact, Africa had the lowest infection and fatality rates from COVID-19 and the scientific world remains mystified as to why. Muvingi’ s presentation was an analysis that attributed the low impacts to the collectivist nature of most African communities and experience dealing with epidemics; factors largely ignored and even contested by the scientific world.

Muvingi is the faculty adviser to the African Working Group. His academic interests include human rights, African politics, and transitional justice with a special focus on Africa.

Posted 03/12/23