Moment Mentor Mentor ep. 6 with Global South migration and food security researcher Abel Chikanda

The remittances sent home by immigrants is all that’s saving some countries from economic collapse. It’s one of the areas that Abel Chikanda explores in his research at McMaster University.

Abel, an  Associate Professor in the School of Earth, Environment & Society, talked with journalist in residence Jeff Goodes about his research plus a defining moment in his career, two outstanding mentors and why a gold-framed print of Johannsberg that hangs in his office is a memento with special meaning.

Abel received his PhD in Geography from Western University in 2006 and was an Assistant / Associate Professor at the University of Kansas between 2015 and 2022. Prior to that, he was a SSHRC postdoctoral fellow at Queen’s University (2010-2012) and Research Coordinator at the Balsillie School of International Affairs (2013-2015). He also worked as a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe (2004-2006). His recent research has focused on African immigrant integration and the role of diasporas in developing their countries of origin. His current research seeks to explore the ways in which African cities can build sustainable and resilient food systems. He is an active member of the Southern African Migration Programme (SAMP), the African Urban Food Network (AFSUN), the Hungry Cities Partnership (HCP) and the Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) research networks.

The Moment Mentor Memento podcast series is showcasing 14 remarkable researchers from the Faculty of Science.

Listen to Abel’s episode on:

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