Dr. Rowland Caesar Apentiik
Positions
Professor (Teaching)
Contact information
Phone number
Office no. +1(403)220-4857: Cell no.+1(403)4734473
Location
Office: Earth Sciences (ES)844
For media enquiries, contact
Preferred method of communication
E-mail and phone (cell Number)
Background
Educational Background
PhD Interdisciplinary Studies , University of Calgary, 2003
Doctor of Philosophy Resources and Environment, University of Calgary, 2003
M.A. Archaeology, University of Calgary, 1997
Biography
Dr. Apentiik is a professor in the Arts at the University of Calgary. His areas of teaching and research cut across several disciplines and include African and Diaspora Studies, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Indigenous Studies, and Anthropology. Dr. Apentiik's commitment to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary education and research underscores his significant contributions to academia and beyond. Dr. Apentiik’s approach to both research and teaching is grounded in anti-oppressive frameworks and methodologies, aims to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression, and as such prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion, resulting in learning environments that empower students and researched communities.
As a passionate advocate for interactive and experiential learning, Dr. Apentiik has played a pivotal role in the successful operation of the African Field School (organized by the University of Calgary) and other student mobility programs, such as the Students for Development Program. His leadership has been instrumental in providing students with invaluable exposure to real-world development and environmental challenges, ensuring they gain practical experience that enhances their academic and professional growth. Dr. Apentiik possesses extensive expertise in curriculum development and innovative teaching methodologies. His comprehensive experience includes designing and implementing educational programs that are both pedagogically sound and responsive to the evolving needs of students and academic institutions. Dr. Apentiik's approach to curriculum development emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, inclusivity, and the integration of diverse perspectives, ensuring that his teaching methods not only foster academic excellence but also promote critical thinking and real-world application. His work reflects a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of education through thoughtful, evidence-based strategies.
Professor Apentiik has consistently demonstrated his commitment to academic excellence by supervising numerous undergraduate and graduate students throughout his career. His guidance has been instrumental in shaping the academic and professional trajectories of his students, providing them with valuable mentorship and support in their research pursuits. By fostering an environment of intellectual curiosity and rigorous scholarship, Professor Apentiik ensures that his students are well-equipped to tackle complex issues in their respective fields. His dedication to student development has not only helped students achieve academic success but has also prepared them for impactful careers in both academia and industry.
Research
Areas of Research
Much of Dr. Apentiik’s research focuses on how Indigenous communities engage with specific natural and social-cultural, economic, and political environments, as they negotiate their survival in the unfolding context of globalization and its local manifestations. The principal aim of much of his research is to draw the attention of policy makers and agents of development to the significance of local cultural values, systems of thought, mythologies and traditions, perceptions, politics, histories, and the diverse perspectives of local stakeholders as critical considerations in the design and implementation of efficacious development projects and programs. Specifically, Dr. Apentiik’s research interrogates and evaluates both conventional as well as alternative approaches to development and provides some directions on how to recognize and respond to local stakeholders, cultural gaps, and differences in knowledge systems in development interventions. A central goal of his work is to advocate for the integration of these vital cultural elements into the design and implementation of effective development projects and programs. Ultimately, Dr. Apentiik's research endeavours to advocate and inform policymakers and development practitioners about the importance of incorporating local contexts and perspectives into their initiatives, thereby fostering more sustainable and culturally sensitive outcomes.
Dr. Apentiik’s geographical areas of research are mainly Africa and First Nations communities in Alberta, Canada. His most recent work looks at the role/contribution of African Diasporan to both their countries and communities of origin and host nations as well as the involvement of ethnic youth associations in democratization, decentralization processes, community development, and environmental management in rural Northern Ghana.
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| DEST 201 LEC 01 01 | Intro to Development Studies | |
| AFST 301 LEC 01 01 | Intro to African Studies | 2021 |
| DEST 201 LEC 01 01 | Intro to Development Studies | 2020 |
| DEST 302 LEC 01 01 | Community Development | |
| DEST 50151 TUT 03 T03 | Directed Research | 2020 |
| DEST 591 SEC 01 S01 | Critical Perspectives of Development Practices | 2021 |
Projects
Dr. Apentiik is the lead person for the expansion of the African Studies Program at the University of Calgary. Under his leadership, the program has experienced exceptional growth over the past three years, evolving from a modest annual enrolment of 70–90 students across two courses to a remarkable participation of over 800 students with nine courses now offered. Dr. Apentiik has also been the recipient of the prestigious Students for Development Grant, which supports a mobility program facilitating academic exchange between students from Ghana and the University of Calgary. Furthermore, Dr. Apentiik played a pivotal role in establishing academic partnerships and agreements with two prominent Ghanaian institutions: the University of Ghana and the University for Development Studies.
Awards
- 2015 Faculty of Arts Award for Sustainability Leadership, Faculty of Arts . 2015
- 2015 University of Calgary Faculty of Arts Internationalization Award, Faculty of Arts . 2015
- The Carnegie Foundation Next Generation of Academics in African Diaspora Fellowship, The Carnegie Foundation . 2014
- Chief Snow Teaching Excellence Award , Native Centre and First Nations Association, the University of Calgary.. 2012
Publications
- “Lineage Organization of the Tallensi Compound: Social Logic of Domestic Space in Northern Ghana“. Caesar Apentiik. Africa. 72 (2), 220–244. (2002)
- “ Revisiting Traditional land Use and Occupancy Studies: Relevance and Implication for Resource Management in Alberta”. Caesar Apentiik. The Forest Chronicle. 77 (3), 479–489. (2002)
- “A Critical Assessment of Ghana’s Conservation Policy and Practice: The Case of the Mole National Park Community-based Conservation Project”. P. K. Puplampu, & W. Tettey (eds.). The Public Sphere and the Politics of Survival in Ghana, Woeli Publishing Services. (2010)
- “Working in Different Cultures: Issues of Race, Ethnicity and Identity”. Desai & R. Porter(eds.). Doing Development Research, London: Sage. (2006)
- “ Economie in het meddelbaar onderwijs van Ghana met bijzondere aandacht voor economische groei, ontwikkelingsvraagstukken en economische pollitiek”. H. Crijns (Ed.). Ontwikkelingsvraagstukken en de Europese eenwording in het economie-onderwijs. Amsterdam: VECOM. (1991)
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