Nigerian doctoral student Ugochukwu Madu has been awarded the 2024 Stanley Award for International Research by the University of Iowa International Programs, with funding support from the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organisation. The fellowship will support Madu’s field research in Nigeria from June to July 2024 for his novel study on the role of journalists in confronting misinformation about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) within the cultural context of the Ọgbanje myth.
The award was announced on March 1, 2024, and comes shortly after Madu received the prestigious Easton Collaborative Research Award for the same project, which is an indication of the academic relevance, community impact, and cross-disciplinary merit of his work. The Easton Award, granted by the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication, supports collaborative efforts between graduate researchers and faculty members. For both awards, Madu is collaborating with Professor Rachel Young.
His research project, titled “Ọgbanje the Sickle Cell Disease Misinformation in Nigeria: Media as a SOURCEtainable Solution,” is an interview-based study exploring how journalists in Nigeria perceive and report on health-related myths, specifically the Ọgbanje belief that associates recurring childhood illness or death with malevolent spiritual reincarnation.
“Growing up in southeastern Nigeria, I saw firsthand how the Ọgbanje narrative distorted public understanding of Sickle Cell Disease and often led to harmful outcomes. This project seeks to engage journalists as strategic partners in correcting false narratives and advocating for evidence-based understanding,” Madu said.
The Stanley Award will help fund travel and research logistics in Nigeria, where Madu will conduct in-depth interviews with journalists and media stakeholders to assess their roles, challenges, and approaches to debunking misinformation surrounding SCD. His study also introduces a framework to analyse health communication between victims, cultural interpreters, and information gatekeepers.
The University of Iowa School of Journalism & Mass Communication announced Madu’s latest recognition in a social media post stating, “@UgochukwuCFR has been selected to receive a 2024 Stanley Award for International Research. Congrats Ugo!”
With this dual recognition from both the Easton and Stanley award bodies, Madu continues to cement his role as a leading figure in community-driven health communication scholarship. His work builds upon a broader commitment to restoring trust in public health information, particularly across underserved and culturally complex populations.
