Background

Francis K. Obeng (PhD) is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Extension in the Department of Agricultural Innovation Communication. He has a Ph.D. in Social/Behavioural Science from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, an M.Phil. in Agricultural Extension and a B.Sc (Hons) in Agriculture from the University of Cape Coast. He also obtained a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast. Prof. Francis K. Obeng has served in various capacities at the University for Development Studies (UDS), including Director of Community Relations and Outreach Programmes, Director of Third Trimester Field Practical Programme, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agribusiness and Communication Sciences, Head of Department of Agricultural Extension, Rural Development and Gender Studies, Head, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Coordinator of Postgraduate Programmes, of the Faculty of Agribusiness and Communication Sciences, and Senior Hall Tutor, Nyankpala Campus. He has 24 years of professional experience in teaching and research with UDS and has provided instruction to students at the postgraduate level in Extension organisation and Administration, Research Methods, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of Extension Programmes, Development of Extension Training Materials, ICT in Extension, Value Chain Approach, PRA and Other Extension Methods, Extension Science, Communication of Innovations, Natural Resource & the Environment and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. At the undergraduate level, he has provided instruction in Introduction to Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Elements of Rural Sociology, Rural Community Development and Change, Agricultural Extension Administration and Supervision, Extension Education, Participatory Processes, Population and Family Life Education. Prof Obeng’s research interests include Participatory approaches, Indigenous knowledge, Rural development, Climate change, Extension Communication, Monitoring and Evaluation, Adoption studies and Training and Facilitation. Prof. Obeng has successfully supervised PhD and M.Phil. Theses and countless BSc dissertations. He has worked with others in the development of academic curricula for the Bachelor, masters and PhD levels. He has worked as Project leader and coordinator of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Youth in Agriculture Project and Soil Health Extension Project. He has also worked as a team lead on several collaborative research projects with other institutions and partners, including the University of Amsterdam, United Nations University, University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, University of Lome, African Studies Center, University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast, Association of Church Development Projects (ACDEP), PROLINOVA, CABI, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI).

Email address: francis.obeng@uds.edu.gh