By Kelvin Ololo
Essien Oku Essien, a 26-year-old doctoral student at Drexel University, is rapidly emerging as a leading voice in the intersection of climate change, indigenous knowledge systems, and cultural studies.
His groundbreaking research and academic excellence have earned him multiple prestigious recognitions on the global stage.
This was evident as the Odukpani LGA , Cross River State-born Essien was honored with the 2025 Research Excellence Award by Drexel University, Philadelphia, acknowledging his exceptional research on the intersection of climate change, cultural sociology, Spirituality Science and Anthropogenic Science. This accolade highlights his commitment to addressing complex environmental issues through a cultural lens.
READ: Meet Young PhD Cross Riverian, Essien Oku Breaking Grounds, Taking Academic World By Storm In U.S
In addition, the young erudite received the Emerging Scholar Award from the Climate Change: Impacts and Responses Research Network at the 17th International Conference on Climate Change held at Florida International University in Miami. This award recognizes his innovative approach to climate communication and his dedication to bridging the gap between scientific discourse and indigenous perspectives.
Looking ahead, Essien, a First Class graduate of Mass Communication, University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Nigeria, is set to present his research at the Fifteenth International Conference on Religion and Spirituality in Society at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. During the event, he will also be honored with the Emerging Scholar Award by the Religion in Society Research Network, further cementing his status as a thought leader in his field.
Adding to his accolades shelves, Essien was conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in Communication and Climate Change by the American Management University in California. The ceremony recognized YoungHoon Kim, the Guinness World Record holder for the highest IQ (267), who received an Honorary Doctor of Science in Cognitive Science.
His academic journey continues with his selection for the doctoral summer fellowship at the Swedish Center for Impacts of Climate Extremes (CLIMES) at Uppsala University. This opportunity places him at the forefront of interdisciplinary research on climate extremes and their societal impacts.
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His scholarly contributions have also earned him a place among the top 6% of over 2.18 million authors globally on the Social Sciences Research Network (SSRN), particularly in the fields of education and climate change.
Further recognitions include an Intermediate Level Specialization in Education and Climate Change from the Inter-American Development Bank, that reflects his commitment to integrating climate education into broader societal contexts.
As a Climate Reality Leader with The Climate Reality Project, Essien actively participates in initiatives aimed at combating climate change through education and advocacy.
His dedication to sustainable development is also evident in his selection as a delegate to the 2025 World Bank Land Conference, a premier global forum addressing land governance and climate resilience.
Moreover, the Thirst Foundation in Melbourne, Australia, recognized Essien’s commitment to clean water goals, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Essien Oku Essien’s multifaceted achievements shows his role as a catalyst for change at the nexus of climate science, cultural studies. His work continues to inspire and influence global conversations on environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.
Expressing joy and gratitude, he said: “It feels truly surreal! I can say without hesitation that the remarkable expertise of my research Advisor, which stirred my commitment, played an instrumental role in the success of this study, which explores the intersection of climate science and spirituality studies.
“Receiving this recognition on such a distinguished university stage was more than an individual honor; it was a chance to spotlight the outstanding research going on in my Department, which stood out across the entire university to earn this award,” he said.
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