معرفی
Akon Ekpo is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago. Her research investigates the intersections of digital culture, technology consumption, and transformative consumer behavior, with a focus on marginalized communities and racialized marketplace experiences.
Education:
- PhD in Marketing, University of Illinois at Chicago
- BS in Computer Science, DePaul University
Her research interests center on how digital technologies shape consumer identity, well-being, and inclusion. She examines how marginalized consumers navigate market systems, resist oppression, and reclaim agency. Her work bridges critical race theory, consumer psychology, and digital innovation, advocating for equitable and transformative marketplace practices.
Her recent publications span journals such as the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Consumer Psychology, and Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. Collectively, these works highlight trends in digital financial inclusion, algorithmic bias, intersectionality in supply chains, and the ethical implications of digital platforms—emphasizing social justice and systemic change in consumer research.
Scientific Awards and Grants:
- AMA/EBSCO Responsible Research in Marketing Award, 2021
- JPP&M Thomas C Kinnear Award, 2023
- Quinlan Faculty Development Grant (2021, 2022)
- Loyola Summer Research Grant, 2021
- Numerous grants from Rutgers, Western Michigan, and national fellowships including the H. Naylor Fitzhugh Doctoral Fellowship
Dr. Ekpo has secured multiple competitive research grants and actively contributes to the academic community through editorial roles, including the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing and Journal of Consumer Affairs. Her industry experience in IT at Fortune 500 companies enriches her teaching in digital marketing and consumer behavior. She teaches courses such as Digital Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and Integrated Marketing Communications. While no formal students are listed, her mentorship is evident through collaborative research and professional engagement.
She is affiliated with key academic communities including the Association for Consumer Research, Consumer Culture Theory Consortium, and Chicago Interactive Marketing Association. Her work supports broader initiatives in marketplace diversity, digital equity, and responsible innovation.
