Antony Otieno Ong’ayo

Otieno Ong'ayo (Antony) is a political scientist by training currently an Academic Researcher at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam. His PhD thesis ('Diaspora organizations, transnational practices and development: Ghanaians in the Netherlands', Tilburg University) examined the contribution of transnational practices of diaspora organisations to development in the countries of destination and origin (‘here and there’) with a focus on Ghanaian diaspora organisations in the Netherlands (at the local and national government levels). He obtained a master's degree in Political Science (cum laude) with a specialisation in Politics and Development, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (cum laude) from Stockholm University, Sweden. He undertook a postgraduate study in Management of Health and Psychosocial Services in the developing countries at Uppsala University, Sweden and holds a Diploma in Labour Studies and Management (with distinction).

Since May 2016 he sits in the Commission on Development Cooperation (COS) of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs to the Dutch Government (AIV). At the local government level, he has been involved in diaspora engagement with policy makers in the municipality of The Hague on co-implementation of municipal policies on integration and participation within the initiative 'Inclusive Policy-making based on Shared Solutions' ('Inclusieve Beleidsvorming op basis van Gedeelde Oplossingen'). Since 2012, he is a member of the Klankbordgroep onderzoek Globalisation Ageing and Care, and circular migration (GAIC) at Tilburg University.

At ISS he is involved in the Diaspora politics research within the research project- ‘Transnational political engagement of African Diaspora communities’ which examines how Diaspora communities have (self-) organised transnationally between various countries of residence in order to influence local policies. The project is linked to other research groups namely: Vital cities and citizenship; Civic Innovation Research Initiative (CIRI), Governance, Law and Social Justice.

Prior to joining ISS, he undertook research in the fields of migration and development, diaspora engagement and participation; globalization, accessibility, innovation and care (GAIC) at Tilburg University, School of Humanities and extensive fieldwork in China on China-Africa relations. His experience in migration and development policy research include an EU funded research project (DIASPEACE) focused on diasporas and peace building in the Horn of Africa countries of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia (2008-2009) and a study on institutional building cooperation between African diaspora organisations and governments in their countries of origin covering five countries (UK, Ghana, Nigeria, Germany and USA (2009).

He taught courses on 'The Changing World of International Relations and Human Rights' at Amsterdam University College and a course on digital culture and society at Tilburg University. He also taught theory and practice of development at University College Utrecht. Since 2013 he has been an adjunct lecturer in the Department of International Relations at Webster University, Leiden (teaching graduate courses on politics of development, African area Studies, international relations, international organisations and social science research methodology

Research Interests:
Politics of development, migration and development, diaspora collective organising and transnational practices, diaspora politics, civic driven change, civil society and state relations.