Social Justice Studies Professor Earns Grant from Institute for Human Geography to Continue His Research Wednesday, November 20, 2019
"This research will hopefully further show to students how ordinary people like them can use transnational solidarity as an effective tool to begin dismantling racism both here and abroad."
Robert Ross, Ph.D., associate professor for the Department of Literary Arts and Social Justice and coordinator of the social justice studies program, recently received a grant for $4,977 from the Institute for Human Geography, publisher of the journal Human Geography, to continue his research on the role of American Christians in the South African anti-apartheid movement.
"I am planning to conduct archival research at a number of relevant denominational and ecumenical archives across the United States. This study ties directly into my teaching in our social justice studies program since I discuss the South African anti-apartheid movement with my students in many of my courses as an example of a successful grassroots movement that triumphed over oppressive powers," Ross explained.
"This research will hopefully further show to students how ordinary people like them can use transnational solidarity as an effective tool to begin dismantling racism both here and abroad," Ross added.
According to John Lauermann, book review editor for Human Geography, the reviewers of Ross' grant proposal are enthusiastic about his project.
"We rated Dr. Ross's proposal highly because it was compelling, and because he has made so many contributions to Human Geography in the past. We think this will make a strong contribution to radical geography scholarship, and look forward to publishing a manuscript in due course."
Ross is a geographer whose teaching and research interests center on the geographies of capitalism. His areas of specialty include the Middle East and North America. Ross earned his bachelor's degree in anthropology/sociology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and his master's degree and doctorate degree in geography from University College London and Syracuse University, respectively.