Francis Owusu

Originally from Ghana, Dr. Owusu received a B.A. (Hons) in Geography and Archaeology, an M.A. in Population Studies from the University of Ghana, an M.A. in Geography from Carleton University in Canada, and PhD in Geography from the University of Minnesota, USA. He has researched in several African countries and authored journal articles, book chapters, reviews, and reports. Dr. Owusu co-edited Managing Africa's Natural Resources: Capacities for Development, published by Palgrave. His recent book is The Urban Question in Africa: Uneven Geographies of Transition, which he co-authored with Padraig Carmody, Jim Murphy, and Richard Grant and published by Wiley in 2023. 

Dr. Owusu’s research awards include the 2015 Kwadwo Konadu-Agyemang Distinguished Scholar Award in African Geography awarded by the Africa Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers; the 2013 College of Design Faculty Research Award; and Best Economic Geography Dissertation Award for 2001. His teaching awards include the College of Design's 2006 Polster Teaching Award and a 2007 Memorable Teacher Award from the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. 

He has consulted for several international organizations, including the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) in Nairobi, the World Bank, the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) in Zimbabwe, and the National Science Foundation (NSF). He was the ISU Project Leader for the University of Limpopo, South Africa, University Capacity Development Program (University Staff Doctoral Programme). He also has held leadership positions in academic and professional organizations, including serving as the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) representative to the Global Planning Education Association Network (GPEAN), the President of the Mid-America Alliance for African Studies (MAAAS), and the chairperson for Africa Specialty Group of the Association of American Geographers.