Dr. Nathan Irmiya Elawa

Nathan holds a PhD. from University of Wales Trinity Saint David Wales, United Kingdom. His research focuses on culture and religious change and identity-formation in a globalizing world and engages in post-colonial critique.

Although his initial training was in theology and religious history, Nathan has branched out and now embraces an interdisciplinary approach to his scholarship that includes, in particular, anthropology and sociology.

He is a believer and practitioner of creative and interactive content- delivery using different approaches and tools.  The classroom space provides him an opportunity for in-person contact with students, whom he engages with as individuals with unique stories.  As a facilitator, he hopes to cultivate in his students the skills of critical thinking and helping them embrace empathy.  His teaching philosophy is ‘Equipping my students to construct their own learning.’

He is a singer-songwriter and recording artist.

Discipline

Sociology

Education

Certificate, Teaching in Higher Education (Harvard University)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Wales, UK

Master of Theological Studies (ThM) Regent College, Vancouver, Canada

Master of Arts (MA) Regent College, Vancouver, Canada

Bachelor of Arts (English), University of Maiduguri, Nigeria

Publications

Monograph: Understanding Religious Change in Africa and Europe: Crossing Latitudes: The Christianization of Jukun of Nigeria and Celtic Irish in Early Medieval Europe (Springer, 2020) and has published in the journal, Studies in World Christianity (2022.)

Journal Article

Elawa, Nathan I. (2022). ‘The Eliminated Gods’: The Christian Reconfiguration of Jukun Theism. Studies in World Christianity, 28(2), 205–225.

Previous Appointments

Nathan has worked as a teacher, youth mentor and coach and human resources developer with University students and emerging leaders within the West African sub-region.

Professional Societies

Professional Societies:  Member of the African Association of for the Study of Religions (AASR) and the American Academy of Religion (AAR).

Research Projects

The Popularity of African hand-drumming across cities of the Global North: A Case study of Vancouver, Canada.

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