FUTA Alumna Margaret Dansu Wins Prestigious ARNOVA Emerging Scholar Award in the United States

An alumna of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Margaret Adesewa Dansu, has earned international recognition after receiving the ARNOVA Emerging Scholar Award in the United States of America.

Dansu was named one of the award recipients at the 54th Annual Conference of the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), held in Indianapolis, USA, in November 2025. She was honoured for her outstanding scholarly work as a researcher at the Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan.

The award recognises Dansu’s ongoing research on online peer support communities and marginalized populations, a body of work that provides fresh theoretical and empirical insights into how digital environments influence identity formation, resilience, and social participation among vulnerable groups.

ARNOVA, the world’s largest academic association dedicated to nonprofit organizations, voluntary action, and civil society studies, presents the Emerging Scholar Award annually to early-career researchers whose work demonstrates exceptional promise and a strong contribution to advancing knowledge in the field.

The recognition underscores the originality, depth, and global relevance of Dansu’s research, particularly in addressing contemporary social challenges through the lens of digital interaction and community support. It also reflects the expanding international impact of Tohoku University’s scholarship across information sciences, sociology, and nonprofit studies.

Dansu’s achievement stands as a point of pride for FUTA and serves as an inspiration to emerging scholars, highlighting the global relevance of Nigerian-trained academics in cutting-edge research and international intellectual discourse.