Chemnitz University is first choice of Nigerian media researcher

Humboldt scholarship holder Dr. Mohammed Ayodeji Ademilokun is doing research at the Professorship of English Language and Linguistics on social engagement and language

Since January 1^st, 2018, the Professorship of English Language and Linguistics (chair holder Prof. Joseph Schmied) at Chemnitz University of Technology is the new research facility for Dr. Mohammed Ayodeji Ademilokun (36). The linguist chose Chemnitz University as academic host and cooperation partner. Prior to that, he conducted research at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife (Nigeria) as research assistant, where he will return to after his research stay. With the help of the renowned Alexander von Humboldt scholarship, Ademilokun will conduct research over a period of 16 months on the mediatisation of social engagement in his native country Nigeria.

Decision for Chemnitz due to location quality

“I chose Chemnitz University for my research stay as Prof. Schmied is a renowned scientist in the field of sociolinguistics and was recommended to me by my professor”, emphasizes Ademilokun. The Professorship of English Language and Linguistics is already looking back on a long tradition of being the hoard of international research scholars and doctoral candidates. “We made a lot of good experiences with our foreign guests and I am glad, that with Mr. Ademilokun another ambitious young scientist will contribute to our research at our professorship”, explains Prof. Schmied. The encouragement of Dr. Mohammed Ayodeji Ademilokun for Chemnitz University is a clear sign of high quality research in Chemnitz.

More social participation via social media

“National and international news coverage depicts a rather negative image of Nigeria. Trough certain campaigns, the government as well as non-governmental organizations try to tackle and change this image”, says Dr. Ademilokun and adds: “The increase of social media usage in Nigeria offers a chance for the citizens to participate in these campaigns and to achieve social changes.” In “Mediatisation of Advocacy and Civic Engagement Campaigns in Nigeria”, the scientific work of the linguist, he investigates the discourse between citizens and the government as well as non-governmental organizations. Content from TV, radio, newspapers, and social media served as corpus of data. The ones dealing with social change and transformation, in particular.

Even though he already experienced a transformation himself by moving from Nigeria to Germany, he gives a positive feedback after the first few weeks: “The colleagues at Chemnitz University are very welcoming and open towards my research. The resources available at the university provide very good preconditions for my project.”

Background: Georg-Forster Research Scholarship

The Georg-Forster Research Scholarship awarded from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, offers highly qualified scientists from developing countries the opportunity to implement their research project in Germany with a self-chosen academic host.

(Author: Lars Meese / Translation: Alissa Hölzel)

Matthias Fejes
01.02.2018

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