Faculty > Profile

Philip O. Onguny

Associate Professor

ponguny@ustpaul.ca

613-236-1393, ext. : 2496

GIG 258

Profile

Philip Onguny is Associate Professor of conflict studies and co-director of the School of Conflict Studies at Saint Paul University. His research focuses on political violence, ethnic conflicts, and peacebuilding in Africa’s Great Lakes region. He is also interested in the politics of international development and humanitarianism, and the role of media in conflict transformation in sub-Saharan Africa. His work has appeared in both academic and policy journals such as the Canadian Journal of African Studies, Global Change, Conflict & Security, Journal of Contemporary African Studies, Peace & Change Journal, The East African Review, and Africa Policy Journal. He also co-edited La Lutte Contre le Terrorisme en Afrique (University of Montreal Press, 2019). Philip is currently the Principal Investigator (PI) for a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant project (2023-2026) that seeks to develop and test a system of assessment for peace professionals to increase capacity response in conflict-affected areas. The project brings together a group of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from Canada, Kenya, USA, Colombia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Philip’s previous research on the politics of land ownership and ethnopolitical violence in sub-Saharan Africa was also funded by SSHRC through the Insight Development Grant (2017-2019). Philip has been a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow at the Tangaza University College (Nairobi, Kenya) where he co-developed the curriculum for a BA program in peace and security studies. He has served as the director of the Conflict Research Centre (CRC) at Saint Paul University, and a board member of the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR).

Expertise

Courses taught

ISC 1310 - Communication Research and Methodology
- Basics of methodology in communication. Distinction between argumentation and empirical research. Distinction between qualitative and quantitative research. Key principles of qualitative and quantitative work.
ISC 2301 - Communication and Organizations
- Definition of an organization. Usual approaches to communication within the organizations: functionalist, strategic, critical, and cultural. The change management issue. Impact of technology.
ISC 4300 - Argumentation and Persuasive Communication
- Elements of the theory of argumentation. Concept of arguments in communication. Writing and public intervention exercises.
ISC 4305 - Communications for Sustainable Development
- Evolution of the concept of sustainable development and its different definitions. Role and responsibility of social communications in sustainable development. Communication strategies for implementation.
ISC 2707 - Introduction à la communication
- Initiation au langage de la communication. Introduction aux principaux concepts de la communication. Présentation des modèles utilisés en communication. Fonctions de la communication. De la communication personnelle à la communication médiatisée.
ISC 3739 - Introduction aux relations publiques
- Historique et modèles de base. Principaux programmes, instruments, publics, milieux de travail. Management, marketing, publicité, affaires publiques. Étude de cas.
ISC 4705 - Communications pour développement durable
- Évolution du concept du développement durable et ses différentes définitions. Rôle et responsabilité de communications sociales dans le développement durable. Stratégies de communication pour sa mise en œuvre.
ISC 4700 - Argumentation et communication persuasive
- Éléments de théorie d’argumentation. Notion d’argumentaire en communication. Exercices de rédaction et d’intervention publique.
ECS 2191 - Introduction to Conflict Studies
- A multidisciplinary introduction to research in the evolving field of peace and conflict studies, with emphasis on ethnic and religious conflict. Cases are drawn from local to global levels. Includes anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, political science, law, labour relations, theology, philosophy, gender studies and security studies.
ECS 5118 - CONTEMPORARY PEACEBUILDING
- National and international policies and programs designed to eliminate the causes of violent conflict and prevent their re-emergence. Dialogue and reconciliation. Political and economic reforms. Local development and empowerment.
ECS 3125 - Peaceful Resolution of Violent Conflict
- This course compares and contrasts different approaches to the pacific resolution of violent conflict, such as peace building, peacemaking, and peace operations. Contribution of religions to peace building. An effort is made to understand when, why, and how such approaches are effective or ineffective for managing and resolving conflicts.
  
  Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192.

Education

Ongoing Research

Research Grants

Publications

Books Authored:

1. Onguny, P. Media and Election Violence in Kenya: A Function of Discursive Frames [under revision for Roman & Littlefield, Lexington]

Books Edited:

1. Dieng, M., Onguny, P., et Souaré, I. (dir.) (2019). Lutte contre le terrorisme en Afrique: Acte de bienveillance ou prétexte géostratégique? Presses de l’Université de Montréal.

Special Issue Edited:

1. Dieng, M. & Onguny, P. (2020). The Changing Security Landscape in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges (Issue No. 2). African Journal of Terrorism & Insurgency Research, 1(2), 5-111. https://journals.co.za/toc/aa.ajtir/1/2

Refereed Chapters in Books:

1. Onguny, P. (2019). « Communication gouvernementale et lutte contre le terrorisme au Kenya ». Dans M. Dieng, P. Onguny et I. Souaré (dir.). Lutte contre le terrorisme en Afrique: Acte de bienveillance ou prétexte géostratégique?(pp. 187-202). Presses de l’Université de Montréal.

2. Dieng, M., Onguny, P. & Souaree, I. (2019). « Enjeux théoriques et pratiques de la lutte contre le terrorisme en Afrique ». Dans M. Dieng, P. Onguny et I. Souaré (dir.). Lutte contre le terrorisme en Afrique: Acte de bienveillance ou prétexte géostratégique? (pp. 7-17). Presses de l’Université de Montréal.

3. Onguny, P. (2016). “Indigenous Language Radios in Kenya and the Negotiation of Inter-Group Relations during Conflict Processes”. In A. Salawu and M. Chibita (eds.). Indigenous Language Media, Language Politics and Democracy in Africa, (pp. 151-181). London: Palgrave Macmillan.

4. Onguny, P., & Traoré, C. (2015). « Crises environnementales et conflits interethniques au Kenya et au Mali ». Dans A. Lafrance, H-D. Cissé, et L. Saadaoui (dir.) Communication et Sociétés en Crise: Savoir y entrer, pouvoir en sortir (pp. 289-301). Paris: L’Harmattan.

Refereed Book Reviews:

1. Onguny, P. (2021). Review of Regime Threats and State Solutions by Mai Hassan. Global Change, Conflict & Security, 3(1), 93-94.

2. Onguny, P. (2021). Review of The Security Arena in Africa: Local Order-Making in the Central African Republic, Somaliland, and South Sudan by Tim Glawion. Africa, 91(2), 343-345.

3. Onguny, P. (2020). Review of Varieties of Democracy: Measuring Two Centuries of Political Change by Michael Coppedge et al. Canadian Journal of Political Science, 53(3), 722-733.

4. Onguny, P. (2020). Review of Distant Justice: The Impact of the International Criminal Court on African Politics by Phil Clark. Peace & Change, 45(3), 460-463.

5. Onguny, P. (2020). Review of Electoral Politics in Africa Since 1990: Continuity in Change by Jamie Bleck & Nicolas Van de Walle. Modern Africa, 8(1), 141-144.

6. Onguny, P. (2019). Review of Institutions and Democracy in Africa: How the Rules of the Game Shape Political Developments by Nic Cheeseman (ed.). African Journal of Democracy & Governance, 6(4), 155-158.

Refereed Journal Articles:

1. Onguny, P. (Accepted). Role of Media in Community-based Peacebuilding: A Critical Assessment. Peace and Conflict Studies

2. Onguny, P. (2021). Communication Studies, Interdisciplinarity, and the Quest for Knowledge. Canadian Journal of Media Studies, 17(1), 6-37.

3. Onguny, P. (2021). The Politics of Impunity and the Shifting Media Landscape in Kenya. Athens Journal of Mass Media & Communications, 7(1), 61-78.

4. Onguny, P. (2020). Why the Kenya-Somalia Maritime Dispute is Far from Over Regardless of the ICJ Ruling. Harvard Africa Policy Journal, 14(Spring), 41-51.

5. Onguny, P. & Malik, A. (2020). Emphasis Frames, Elite Strategies, and Mass Participation in Election Violence in Kenya. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 38(4), 560-578.

6. Onguny, P. (2020). The Politics Behind Kenya’s Building Bridges Initiative (BBI): Vindu Vichenjanga or Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing? Canadian Journal of African Studies, 54(3), 557-576.

7. Onguny, P. (2020). Framing the War on Terror in Kenya: Perspectives on the Attacks at Westgate Mall and Garissa University. African Journal of Terrorism & Insurgency Research, 1(1), 77-101.

8. Dieng, M., Onguny, P. & Mfondi, A. (2020). Leadership Without Membership: France and the G-5 Sahel Force. African Journal of Terrorism & Insurgency Research, 1(2), 21-41.

9. Onguny, P. & Gillies, T. (2019). Land Conflict in Kenya: A Critical Overview of Literature. The East African Review/Les Cahiers d’Afrique de l’Est, 53(0), 1-23.

10. Onguny, P. (2019). Alternative Media and Mediated Political Participation: A Conceptual Discussion. Global Media Journal-Australian Edition, 13(1), 1-10.

11. Onguny, P. (2019). Electoral Violence in Kenya 2007-08: Role of Vernacular Radios. Journal of African Elections 18(1), 86-107.

12. Onguny, P. & Gillies, T. (2019). Assessing the Agency in Media Narratives for Community-based Peacebuilding. Global Media Journal-German Edition, 9(2), 1-17.

13. Onguny, P. (2019). Mediated Political Participation and Competing Discourses of Online Civic Engagement. Journal of Development & Communication Studies 6(1), 36-47.

14. Onguny, P. & Mfenguie, R. (2019). Résilience, capacité de l’État et défis de développement durable dans les zones à risque. International Journal of Arts and Humanities, 8(4), 1-13.

15. Onguny, P. (2017). International News Coverage of Insecurity and Human Suffering in Africa’s Great Lakes Region. Journal of Media Critiques 3(12), 121-138.

16. Onguny, P. (2014). Potential of Mobile Media as a Space for Political Deliberation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rhodes Journalism Review 34(0), 71-74.

17. Onguny, P. (2012). Exploring the Dilemmas of Peace in the East African Community (E.A.C.): Implications of the 2007-08 Conflicts in Kenya. Harvard Africa Policy Journal, 7(Spring), 1-10.

Papers Revised & Resubmitted to Referred Journals:

1. Conflict over Land in Kenya’s Tana River County and Competing Sense of Belonging. Global Change, Peace & Security [revised & resubmitted]

2. Dynamics of Security and Conflict in Africa’s Great Lakes Region (with Peace N. Mukazi). African Journal of Democracy & Governance [under revision]

Select conferences

Onguny, P. (2020, May). Land Conflict in Kenya: The Guilt of Doing Little and the Cost of Doing Nothing. Paper to be presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of African Studies, University of Western Ontario – cancelled due to the COVID-19
Onguny, P. (2019, November). Conflict over Land in Kenya’s Tana River County and Competing Sense of Belonging. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the African Studies Association (ASA), Boston, United States.
Dieng, M. & Onguny, P. (2019, November). Violent Extremism and the Search for Belonging in Africa’s Sahel Region. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the African Studies Association (ASA), Boston, United States.
Onguny, P. (2018, April). Transforming Africa’s Rural Livelihoods Though Digital Technologies to Increase Community Resilience. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the International Studies Association (ISA), San Francisco, United States.
Onguny, P. (2017, October). Digital Platforms and Sustainable Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa: Perspectives from Kenya. Paper presented at the 2017 Global Fusion Conference, Ohio University (Athens), Ohio, United States.
Onguny, P. (2017, May). Mobile-Based Digital Technologies and Sustainability of Rural Livelihoods. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Communication Association (CCA), Toronto, Canada.
Malik, A. & Onguny, P. (2016, December). Elite and Mass Perspectives on Election Violence in Kenya. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the African Studies Association (ASA), Washington DC, United States.
Onguny, P. (2016, May). Media Coverage of Impunity and the Safety of Investigative Journalists in Africa. Research poster presented at the UNESCO’s Research Conference on the Safety of Journalists, Helsinki, Finland.
Onguny, P. (2015, November). The Feasibility of Using Mobile-based Technologies to Transform Intergroup Conflicts and Humanitarianism in Sub-Saharan Africa. Paper Presented at Saint Paul University Noon Seminars.
Onguny, P. (2015, October). Rethinking Social Justice and Economic Empowerment in Africa through Digital Technologies. Paper presented at the 2015 Global Fusion Conference, Texas A&M University, Texas, United States.
Onguny, P. (2015, July). Using New Media for Conflict Mitigation in East Africa. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the IAMCR, Montreal, Canada.
Onguny, P. (2015, May). Rethinking Peace Education and Conflict Prevention in Africa Through Digital Media Platforms. Paper presented at the 13th Annual International Conference on Communication & Mass Media, Athens Institute for Education & Research, Athens, Greece.
Onguny, P. (2015, February). Role of Mobile Media in Supporting Humanitarian Activities in Crisis-Affected Areas. Paper presented at the Global Humanitarianism & Media Conference, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom.
Onguny, P. (2014, July). Using Interactive Media Platforms to Strengthen Humanitarian Response: Case Study of the Ushahidi platform. Paper presented at The Humanitarian Innovation Conference, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Onguny, P. (2013, May). Le traitement médiatique des relations interethniques lors des conflits en Afrique sub-saharienne: le cas des radios vernaculaires au Kenya. Paper presented at the 81st Annual Congress of the ACFAS Association (Association Francophone pour le Savoir), Quebec, Canada.
Onguny, P. and Traoré, C. O. (2013, March). Communication de crise et les enjeux environnementaux des conflits interethniques au Kenya et au Mali. Paper presented in collaboration with Cheick Oumar Traoré at the Annual Conference of AMEDDIAS Association, Luxembourg.
Onguny, P. (2012, December). Vernacular Radios and Conflict Framing in Africa: Perspectives on Kenya. Paper presented at the Annual Conference on Journalism and Communication (JMComm), Singapore (Best Graduate Student Paper Award, 2012).
Onguny, P. (2012, May). The properties of Interethnic Accommodation in Mediatized Conflicts. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Communication Association (CCA), Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Onguny, P. (2012, February). The Politics of Ethnicity in Kenya’s Vernacular Radios: Between Differentiated and Concerted Framing. Paper presented at an International Conference, “Beyond Normative Approaches: Everyday Media Culture in Africa”, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Onguny, P. (2011, April). Re-examining Kenya’s Stability Threats Within the East African Community. Presented at the Annual Conference of the Centre for International Peace and Security Studies (CIPSS), McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Onguny, P. (2008, May). L’impact de Nation Media Blogs sur les élections présidentielles de 2007 au Kenya: un pont pour les citoyens marginalisés? Paper presented at the 76th Annual Congress of the ACFAS Association (Association Francophone pour le Savoir), Quebec, Canada.
Discussant, “a pandemic of misinformation” by Dr. Joan Donovan, Midday Seminars organized by Conflict Research Centre (CRC) in collaboration with the School of Social Communication, February 2021.
Discussant, roundtable discussions on “information and communication technologies, community engagement, and international development” at the annual gathering of the Canadian Communication Association (CCA), June 2017.
Organizer, Midday Seminars (Brown Bag Seminars), School of Social Communication, Saint Paul University, 2015-2017.
Presenter, “The feasibility of using mobile-based technologies to transform intergroup conflicts and humanitarianism in sub-Saharan Africa”, Midday Seminars (Brown Bag Seminars), Saint Paul University, November 2015.
Panel Chair (replacement), “Othering, Conflict, and Identity”, at the annual gathering of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), July 2015.

Awards

Medias