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Najja K. Baptist, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, will lead the University of Arkansas’s African and African-American Studies Program as director. Baptist’s research focuses on American politics, race, Black politics, and other facets, and he has been published extensively, including a forthcoming book titled “In the Spirit, In the Dark: Black Music and Activism.” Baptist, a three-time graduate of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), was awarded two grants from the National Science Foundation totaling over $1.63 million for research related to Black trauma and transformative American politics.
Najja K. Baptist to Lead U of A’s African and African-American Studies Program
Photo: Najja K. Baptist, assistant professor of political science
The History Department of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences recently nominated Najja Baptist as the director of the U of A’s African and African-American Studies Program. Baptist, a political science assistant professor, is the founding director of the University Advanced Research Team and the U of A’s Summer Research Opportunity Program.
Baptist’s research delves into normative and empirical aspects of American politics, Black politics and race, utilizing innovative approaches. His research interests also delve into political psychology, social movements, and social media.
Author of the upcoming book In the Spirit, In the Dark: Black Music and Activism, Baptist has published numerous book chapters and articles in leading race and ethnic journals. His significant contributions to political science research earned him two National Science Foundation grants, the highest in the Department of Political Science’s history.
As an active chaplain with the Upsilon Chi chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Baptist often presents on topics like Black politics, protest movements and voter mobilization. He’s an ordained minister in the United House of Prayer for All People and holds a Ph.D. from Howard University, an M.A. from Jackson State University, and a B.A. from North Carolina Central University, all in political science.
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