Dr. Otieno Ong’ayo (Antony) is a political scientist by training. He is currently a research fellow at the International Institut of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University where he has been doing research and research supervision since 2018. He has also been a lecturer within the Globalisation Studies and Humanitarian Action of the Faculty of Arts, Groningen University, where was the convenor of the University Minor Development Studies (Rethinking Global-Inequality: People, Poverty, and Power). He has taught courses on Changing World of International Relations and Human Rights at Amsterdam University College; Digital Culture and Society at Tilburg University; Theory and practice of development at the University College Utrecht; Politics of development, African area Studies, International Relations, International Organisations, and Social Science Research Methodology at the Department of International Relations Webster University, Leiden, Campus. He is also an associate researcher with Globalization, Accessibility, Innovation, and Care (GAIC) at the School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) Tilburg University.
His research looks at politics of development with a focus on international development cooperation, multilevel governance, Diaspora transnational practices and development in the countries of destination and origin; Diaspora transnational political engagement and transformations at the local and national government levels; Diaspora and humanitarian action; civil society-state relations, Digital citizenship and Politics of development. Dr. Ong’ayo has experience with migration and development policy research that includes an EU research project (DIASPEACE) focused on Diasporas and Peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa countries of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia; A study on institutional building cooperation between African Diaspora organisations and Governments in their countries of origin covering five countries (UK, Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, and the USA). At the International Institut of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University, he has been involved in research on Diaspora politics research within the project- ‘Transnational political engagement of African Diaspora communities’ which examines how Diaspora communities have (self-) organised transnationally between various countries of residence to influence local policies. The project was linked to other research groups namely: Vital cities and citizenship; Governance, Law and Social Justice.
He obtained his Ph.D. in Humanities (Development Studies) from Tilburg University, School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. He holds a master’s degree in political science (cum laude) with a specialisation in Politics and Development, and a bachelor’s degree in political science (cum laude) from Stockholm University, Sweden. He undertook a postgraduate study in Management of Health and Psychosocial Services in developing countries at Uppsala University Sweden and holds a Diploma in Labour Studies and Management (with distinction).
