UNIOSUN Partners with University of Münster on Prestigious DFG-Funded Research Project
Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has been selected as one of four institutional beneficiaries of a prestigious German Research Foundation (DFG) grant.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has been selected as one of the four institutional beneficiaries of a prestigious German Research Foundation (DFG) grant. This announcement was made by the University's Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, on Tuesday, 16th July 2024.
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The grant focuses on exploring the role of social identities in inter-religious arrangements across sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring UNIOSUN's growing reputation as a hub for innovative and collaborative research.
“This two-year, transcontinental research collaboration involves esteemed institutions including the University of Münster (Germany), the University of Birmingham (U.K.), École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), the University of Gaston Berger, and Makerere University, Uganda. This partnership will lay the groundwork for future large-scale joint research endeavors and provide mentorship opportunities for early career scholars from the participating universities,” Adesoji remarked.
The research consortium is led by Prof. Dorothea Schulz of the University of Münster, Germany, and includes notable partners such as Prof. Insa Nolte from the University of Birmingham, Prof. Olukoya Ogen from Osun State University, Prof. Marie Miran from EHESS, Dr. Abdourahmeh Seck from the University of Gaston Berger, and Dr. Kasule Joseph from Makerere University.
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Key components of the research project include:
- Transcontinental Scholarly Exchange: Establishing a project database and shared literature among the institutions.
- International Workshops and Conference: Organizing two international workshops in Nigeria and Uganda, and a conference in Münster, Germany.
- Visiting Fellowship: Hosting a one-month Visiting Fellowship at the University of Münster for Prof. Olukoya Ogen, Dr. Kasule Joseph, Prof. Insa Nolte, and Prof. Marie Miran, during which they will deliver public lectures, participate in workshops and seminars, and co-author two joint research publications.
- Knowledge Co-production: Promoting collaboration between African and European scholars and bridging the language divide between Anglophone and Francophone Africa.
The grant is part of the larger 2019-2025 DFG-funded "Religion and Politics Cluster of Excellence" research grant hosted at the University of Münster, valued at €31 million. The project involves 140 researchers from 10 countries and over 20 disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, focusing on the influence of religion as a catalyst for political and social change globally.
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This collaboration represents a significant achievement for UNIOSUN and highlights the university’s commitment to advancing research and fostering international academic partnerships.
