By Patrick Obia
A young PhD Cross Riverian, Essien Essien Oku Jrn, is breaking and taking the world of academics by storm in the United States of America (USA) and globally.
Essien Oku, a doctoral student from Nigeria at Drexel University, is making remarkable strides in the academic and research world in the United States. Achieving Alpha grades in all his courses, Essien dedication to his studies has been unwavering, setting a high standard of excellence in all he drops his inks.
An Indigene of Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, his academic journey is adorned with significant research presentations at four (4) prestigious conferences across three U.S States. His work spans crucial topics such as financial communication, film communication, media representation of aging and disabilities, and media distortions from a theoretical perspective which have sparked interest and discussions among scholars and professionals.
A highlight of Essien’s achievements thus far is the prestigious Emerging Scholar Award, which he will receive at the ninth International Conference on Communication and Media Studies in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This honor, conferred by the Common Grounds Research Network at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, underscores his impactful contributions to the field.
Essien’s research prowess extends further as he authored a research proposal for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual General Meeting. This proposal attracted conference funding from Drexel University’s Office of Research and Innovation, as well as departmental support for his research presentation trip, highlighting the value and relevance of his work.
In a collaborative spirit, Essien has led research on the threats to global cultural symbols and the sustainability of cultures from a multicultural perspective. His contributions span diverse topics including deportation and exile comparison, mythology and modern media; Marxist ideology, rural sustainability, and hyperreality. Many of these works are currently under review or published in reputable American academic journals. His expertise has earned him opportunities to deliver guest lectures on subjects such as aging and disabilities in media, Stuart Hall’s model, and Caroline Haythornthwaite’s network individualism. These engagements showcase his depth of knowledge and ability to educate and inspire others.
As a First Class graduate from the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Nigeria, his leadership skills are evident as he holds two key student positions: Vice President of the International Graduate Students Association at Drexel University and Event Coordinator for the Communication, Culture, and Media Studies Association of Doctoral Students.
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His participation in these organizations reflects his commitment and passion to fostering a vibrant academic community. In addition to his academic pursuits, Essien has contributed as a peer-reviewer for reputable journals across various fields, including communication and media studies, social sustainability, diverse identities, and sustainability policy and practices. His insights have been invaluable in maintaining the quality and integrity of academic publications.
Further cementing his academic prowess, Essien participated as an invited delegate in the 11th edition of the World Bank Group Youth Summit at The World Bank headquarters in Washington DC, where several perspectives from his AI communication research were reinforced during panel speeches by globally drawn speakers.
This study was completed through collaborative efforts with researchers from American universities in South Carolina, North Dakota, and Indiana. Essien’s global impact is also recognized through his engagements with the Thirst Foundation in Australia, where he received an award of recognition for his contributions to global water issues, commemorating the 2024 World Water Day.
Indeed Essien Oku Essien’s achievements exemplifies the impact of dedication, scholarship, and global collaboration.
He had his primary education at Calabar Preparatory International School, Etta Agbor, Calabar. He attended Christian High School, Atakpa, Calabar South LGA, where he graduated as one of the best students. Proceeding to his university education, he bagged a first class honors degree in Mass Communication from the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) now University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).
The young academic genius in his 20s, is currently on scholarship to study in the United States of America up to PhD levels after he completed his one year Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), scheme in early 2023.
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