Levy Odera, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Accomplishments
- African Politics and Power Program Fellow at the UF Center for African Studies, funded by the U.K. Department for International Development (D.F.I.D.) and Irish Aid
- 2014 Distinguished Alumnus award from Valdosta State University’s College of Arts and Sciences (Political Science Department)
- Created and led two field schools on community development in Kenya, which included students from universities in U.S. and Kenya, government officials, political leaders, and other community leaders
- Founded and led five organizations focusing on socioeconomic development, political development, and food security innovations in Kenya
- Guided two of his former students in starting two social enterprises focusing on socioeconomic development issues in Jamaica and Haiti; he currently chairs the organizations’ board of advisors
Levy Odera earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida and served as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Center for Public Issues Education at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. His work deals with issues of political development, citizen-politician linkages, microfinance institutions, the informal economy in Africa, and community development. He has researched, written, and taught extensively on these topics.
Dr. Odera has taught courses on Africa, including courses on poverty and development, at the University of Florida. He believes in creating a teaching and learning environment that empowers students to boldly address complex global challenges through authentic practical experiences that develop their creative thinking and innovation skills. He is currently leading a longitudinal study examining the implementation of Kenya’s new constitution.