August - October 2021
Lawrence Ogbo Ugwuanyi is a Professor of African Philosophy and Thought (since 2011), Director of Internship and Linkages Services Unit (ILS) at the University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria and founder, Centre for Critical Thinking and Resourceful Research in Africa (www.cectraafrica.org) devoted to African Self-understanding. He obtained his PhD from the University of Ibadan in 2003 and has 27 years' lectureship experience in many universities. At the University of Abuja, he was the Pioneer Head of Department of Philosophy (2007-2011). He has served as Visiting Scholar, University of South Africa (2005); Visiting Associate Professor, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe (2014), Visiting Professor to St Albert Institute for Higher Education, Kafanchan, Nigeria (2017-2018) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Administration), Legacy University, The Gambia (2018-2019). He has 53 academic publications and is published in West African Review, South African Journal of Philosophy, Religions, Theoria, Southern Journal of Philosophy, African and Asian Studies and Revista de Estudios Africanos. Ugwuanyi also has a number of published monographs that have been well received within Nigeria-Success in Life(1989), Peace of Mind(1991); Life is a Treasure (1996) Qualitative University Education(1998) The Poverty of Jealousy(2011) and Let Them Not Run(A Poetry Collection) (2011). In 2020 he was one of the recipients of the UNIABUJA Author Award conferred by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja. His research seeks to uncover, discover and recover African views, values and theories that illustrate the autonomy and relevance of African thought scheme.
Project Title: Exploring Environmental Ethics through the Concept of Ala in Igbo Thought
At IASH, Prof. Ugwuanyi will be developing a new, decolonised ethics of environment that will generate a stronger commitment to environmental protection and respect by exploring the notion of environment inherent in the concept of Ala in the Igbo thought scheme.