Elvis Imafidon

Dr. Elvis Imafidon is a Professor at the School of History, Religions and Philosophies (HRP) at SOAS University of London, specializing in African philosophy with a focus on disability studies, particularly albinism in African contexts. His work bridges theoretical philosophy with practical human rights advocacy, examining how African philosophical traditions can both challenge and enrich global human rights frameworks.

Dr. Imafidon's research centers on African communitarian philosophy and its implications for understanding personhood, disability, and healthcare access. He has developed the innovative theoretical framework of 'Communo-Cognition,' which explores knowledge acquisition and processing within African communal contexts. His scholarship critically examines traditional beliefs regarding albinism while engaging deeply with African ontological systems, challenging harmful representations while respecting cultural contexts. His work extends to feminist epistemology, aging in African traditions, and the application of Ubuntu philosophy to contemporary humanitarian challenges.

Analysis of Dr. Imafidon's publications reveals a clear trajectory from theoretical explorations of African ontology to applied work addressing specific human rights challenges. His research demonstrates consistent engagement with how philosophical insights can address real-world marginalization, particularly regarding persons with albinism in Africa. The 2024 publication 'Mapping a research-advocacy-policy agenda on human rights and albinism' exemplifies his interdisciplinary approach, employing mixed methods to address challenges ranging from vision impairment to human rights atrocities.

Dr. Imafidon has made significant scholarly contributions through his influential 2018 monograph 'African Philosophy and the Otherness of Albinism: White Skin, Black Race' and the 2022 edited volume 'Cultural Representations of Albinism in Africa: Narratives of Change.' His work on 'Shifting Wrongs to Rights: Lessons in Human Rights from the Situation of Mothers Impacted by Albinism in Africa' (2022) argues for contextualizing human rights principles within local African frameworks.

Through extensive collaborations with scholars from nursing, public health, and human rights disciplines, Dr. Imafidon has contributed to interdisciplinary projects that translate philosophical insights into practical applications addressing real-world challenges faced by marginalized communities in Africa. His research continues to influence both academic discourse and practical approaches to disability rights and human rights advocacy across the continent.