George K. Danns

George K. Danns is a Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Human Services at the University of North Georgia, Gainesville Campus. Holding a PhD from SUNY Stony Brook, he has received prestigious awards including the Ford Foundation Fellowship and Complete College Georgia Champion Award. His leadership roles include Chair of UNG Faculty Senate (2015-2016), former Dean of Social Sciences at the University of Guyana, and Senior Fulbright Fellow at the University of Michigan.

• Ph.D. in Sociology, State University of New York at Stony Brook
• M.A. in Sociology, State University of New York at Stony Brook
• B. Soc. Sc. in Social Sciences (Distinction), University of Guyana

Dr. Danns specializes in Caribbean socio-political dynamics with emphasis on Guyana, examining race/ethnic relations, political leadership, national security, and community development. His research explores intersections of identity, class, and power in postcolonial contexts, addressing critical issues like environmental disasters, homicide patterns, youth vulnerability, and gender disparities. His fieldwork combines theoretical rigor with practical applications for policy development.

His 15 most recent publications (2014-2020) reveal three dominant thematic clusters: Caribbean political economy (35%), diaspora/identity studies (30%), and entrepreneurship/financial literacy (35%). The work demonstrates consistent focus on Guyana while expanding to broader Latin American and Caribbean contexts, with increasing attention to youth entrepreneurship and financial inclusion in developing economies since 2017.

• Ford Foundation Fellowship for Doctoral Research in Latin America and the Caribbean
• Complete College Georgia Champion Award (2016)
• Senior Fulbright Fellowship

Dr. Danns has mentored students through diverse sociology courses while securing consultancy grants from major international organizations including UNICEF, UNFPA, USAID, IADB, OAS, and PAHO. His funded research focuses on social policy development, with particular emphasis on youth programs, gender initiatives, and national security frameworks for Caribbean governments.

As former Director of the Center for Economic & Social Research & Action (CESRA) at the University of Guyana, he led multidisciplinary teams conducting critical studies on suicide prevention, military roles in national security, and environmental disaster response. His current UNG affiliation involves collaborative research networks addressing regional social challenges through the Sociology and Human Services department.