Kevin S Fridy

Kevin S Fridy serves as Professor and Chair of the Political Science and International Studies Department at The University of Tampa, where he has taught since joining the institution in 2007 after completing his Ph.D. at the University of Florida.

His academic credentials include:

• B.A. in Political Science from The George Washington University (1999)
• M.A. in Political Science from American University (2001)
• Ph.D. in Political Science from University of Florida (2007)

Professor Fridy specializes in West African political dynamics, with extensive fieldwork across the region examining societal interactions with political institutions. His research spans environmental governance, community-based development, and the political economy of Africa, informed by firsthand experiences including camel expeditions near the Sahara, attendance at major Ghanaian football matches, and traditional palm wine harvesting. His teaching portfolio encompasses courses like Community-Based Development Projects, Environmental Politics, and Political Economy of Africa.

He has authored multiple publications in African studies and political science, with detailed citations available on his personal website (www.fridy.com). His signature contribution involves leading study abroad programs to Ghana that connect Tampa students with rural communities for sustainable development initiatives, representing his most valued accomplishment at UT.

Professor Fridy maintains active engagement with West African communities through both research and experiential education, operating from his office in the Kennedy Boulevard Building (Room KBB-103) at The University of Tampa's campus.