Dr. Sylvia Bawa

Dr. Sylvia Bawa is a global sociologist and tenured Associate Professor of Sociology at York University in Canada with expertise in human rights, development, gender and globalization. With immense experience working with international and local organizations and groups on development, social justice and human rights issues, her expertise in these areas have been recognized through numerous research awards. With over 15 years of experience in conducting exceptional qualitative research on the aforementioned areas, she has led and currently co-leads international collaborative research projects on human rights, truth and reconciliation and gender and development.  She has also organized, facilitated and participated in international policy-oriented workshops, roundtables and conferences for diverse audiences. Her publications appear in top-ranking journals such as Third World Quarterly, African Identities, Qualitative Research Report, Development in Practice, Canadian Journal of African Studies as well chapters in the International Human Rights of Women, (Part of the International Human Rights Series and the The Palgrave Handbook of African Women’s Studies (Springer Major Reference Works Series).

Education:

• Ph.D., Queen’s University, Sociology, 2013.
• M.A., Brock University, Social Justice and Equity Studies, 2007.
• B.A. (First Class Honours), University of Ghana, Sociology and Psychology, 2004.

Some of Prof. Bawa’s funded research grants include:

Bawa, S. (2019-2022), Principal Investigator, Research/Dissemination Network on the Canada’s Human Rights Role in Sub-Saharan Africa (CARRISSA) – a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) funded Partnership which examines Canada/Africa transnational human rights engagements.

Bawa, S. (2017-2018), Co-Investigator, The Research/Dissemination Network on the Development of the African Union’s African Human Rights Action Plan (AHRAP-NET), Principal Investigator: Prof. Okafor, O., Osgoode, York University). SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant.

Bawa, S. (2018-2022). Co-Investigator, Confronting Atrocity: Truth Commissions, National Reconciliation and the Politics of Memory. Principal Investigator, Prof. Bonny Ibawoh, McMaster University. SSHRC Partnership Grant. The Confronting Atrocities Project studies the role of truth commissions in post-conflict reconstruction and democratic transitions by paying attention to the tensions in their truth seeking and reconciliation mandates:

Bawa, S. (2018-2022). Co-Investigator and lead on Ghana specific case study on women farmers and food security): The GMO 2.0 Partnership. Principal Investigator, Dr. Matthew Schnurr, Dalhousie University. SSHRC Partnership Development Grant