Two DSU students work as research assistants in Ghana

Two Delaware State University students spent part of their summer doing international research in Accra, Ghana

Mr. Matthew Charles, a junior Criminal Justice major from New York City, New York, and Ms. Autumn Flowers, a senior Criminal Justice major from Rochester, New York, were the beneficiaries of a National Science Foundation grant that funded their June 9-22 trip to work as research assistants in Ghana.

They were joined on the trip by Dr. Raymond Tutu, Professor of Global Societies and Principal Investigator of the four-year $622,000 NSF grant, and Dr. Charlisa Edelin, Assistant Dean of Student Life and Academic Success.

The student conducted in-depth interviews with research participants from Ghana.

“It was admirable to see the students apply what they have learned in the classroom and at the project’s workshop in the field, especially the skills of interviewing in social science research such as reflectivity, positionality, verbal communication, active listening, and empathy,” Dr. Tutu said. “The students were able to quickly adapt and work with ten other research assistants based in Ghana.”

Ms. Flowers said health literacy and health access among the Ghanaian people were the focus of the research.

“I learned how to properly conduct an interview,” Ms. Flowers said. “Because of the language barrier, I had to learn how to sometimes reword questions so they could understand them.”

Mr. Charles said the trip was breathtaking and empowering.

“It put more pride in me about what it meant to be black. You always hear about slavery, but you can’t put it into context until you have been there,” Mr. Charles said. “It gave me more drive to be successful.”

Dr. Edelin admired the students’ resilience, adaptability to the rigorous fieldwork program, and cultural competency.

“This trip was life-changing for the students and me,” Dr. Edelin said. “From our fieldwork and lectures at the University of Cape Coast to our tours of slave dungeons, the infamous Door of No Return, we are all permanently transformed.”

The NSF grant, awarded in 2021, has supported a DSU project entitled, “Excellence in Research: Scaling Social Capital and Health across Space.” The grant writing work of  Dr.  Tutu and Co-PI Dr. Anwar Ouassini led to the award of the grant.

It was the third consecutive year that DSU students traveled as research assistants to Ghana for a study abroad experience.