Fidelis Y. Sesenu

Education

Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Communication Studies – University of Ghana, Ghana (2016)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Information Studies – University of Ghana, Ghana (2012)

Research Interests
Communication about health and other development issues within interpersonal and mediated contexts

Brief Profile
Fidelis Yayra Sesenu joined the Department of Communication Studies in 2018 as an Assistant lecturer. He teaches health and development communication, public relations, and communication theories. Prior to that he aggregated about five years' professional experience across diverse sectors like research, communication, NGO project management, banking and financial services. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Communication at the University of Kentucky, US. 
Currently, his primary research interests revolve around health, interpersonal, and applied communication. He is particularly interested in social, identity, and interpersonal influences on health outcomes among different healthcare stakeholders, health information seeking, health risk communication and stigma.
Though he gained valuable professional experience supporting communication strategy design, media relations, social media and event management from previous job assignments, currently he focuses most of his extension activities on communication-related research projects that drive change within the media and communication space. Recently, he has worked with regional partners like the Media Foundation for West Africa and African Freedom of Expression Exchange to conceptualise and execute research projects that monitored abusive campaign language use in Ghanaian newspapers, digital rights in Africa, and access to information and citizens’ civic participation in Ghana. Such industry collaborations culminated in reports, manuals, policy briefs and other advocacy materials that have informed real-world decisions and policies.

Selected Extension Activities and Engagements with Industry
Nov. 2019 – Mar. 2020: Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ)                                
Research Consultant – Study on Misinfomation in Ghana                                                         

Apr. 2019 – Oct. 2019: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)                                                              
Assistant Research Consultant – Study on media ownership patterns, audience mapping and targeting, and capacity building modules in West Africa.
June 2018 - August 2018: Graphic Communications Group Limited
Research Assistant
2018 & 2019: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Funds (UNICEF) – Ghana         
Rapporteur - UNICEF Communication for Development (C4D) Knowledge Seminar    
Mar. 2018 – Apr. 2018: African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX)                                                    
Assistant to Principal Consultant – Annual Digital Rights in Africa Report                                                                                                   
Sept. 2017 – Dec. 2017: Centre for Democratic Development – Ghana                                                        
Research Consultant - Corruption Watch Project          
Aug. 2017 – Dec. 2017: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)                                                             
Research Consultant – Citizens’ Engagement and Access to Information Project                                                                                                         
Feb. 2015 – Apr. 2015: Participatory Development Associates Ltd.                                                               
Research Assistant - Baseline Study on Child Trafficking in the Volta lake area                  

July, 2019: Panel Member for the National Law Reform Commission to prepare and review a draft legislation on defamation                        

Apr. – Nov. 2018: Planning Committee Member for 2nd International Communication Association       
(ICA) – Africa Conference held at the University of Ghana, Ghana 

Aug. – Nov. 2018: Planning Committee Member for 2nd UNICEF Communication for Development (C4D) Knowledge Seminar

Publications
Amoakohene, M. I., Tietaah, G. K., Normeshie, F. E., & Sesenu, F. Y. (2019). Campaign Songs and
Political Advertising in Ghana: Analyzing the Use of Biblical Imagery, Testimonials, and
Repetitions. In Music and Messaging in the African Political Arena (pp. 108-130). IGI Global.
Tietaah, G. K., Yeboah-Banin, A. A., Akrofi-Quarcoo, S., & Sesenu, F. Y. (2018). Journalism Aid:
Country of Origin and Influences on Beneficiary Perceptions and Practices. African Journalism
Studies, 39(2), 90-103.

Paper Presentations
Sesenu, F. Y. (2020). Misinfomation Ecosystem in Ghana: A case study of Accra. Paper presented a seminar organised by Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) in Accra.

Sesenu, F. Y. & Fofie, I. M., (2018). Exploring the Association between digital Media Exposure and Obesity in Ghana. Paper presented at 2nd International Communication Association (ICA) – Africa Conference, Accra, Ghana.

Sikanku G. E., Botwe K., Sesenu F. Y., Boansi-Agyekum E. (2016). Media Coverage of June 3 Flood and Fire Disasters in Ghanaian Newspapers. Paper co-presented at Institute of Statistical and social Research (ISSER) Seminar, Accra, Ghana.

Professional Memberships
• International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) – Member
• International Communication Association (ICA) – Member
• Communication Educators Association of Ghana (CEAG) – Member

Contact
fidenieguygh@gmail.com