Dr. Steven Pierce

Professor

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Biography

Steven Pierce specializes in Modern African History, particularly focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. He studied political science with a concentration in African politics, earning his Ph.D. in anthropology history from the University of Michigan in 2000. He joined the University of Manchester in January 2006 after five years at Tulane University's history department. Alongside his academic role, he is the Senior Editor for Africa at Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His research emphasizes the intersections of law, politics, colonialism, social theory, gender, and semiotics in the context of northern Nigeria. His 2005 book, 'Farmers, State, and Colonial Kano: Land Tenure and the Legal Imagination,' examines the governance of small-scale farmers under colonial rule. In 2016, he published 'Moral Economies of Corruption: State Formation and Political Culture in Nigeria' through Duke University Press, which delves into the history of corruption in Nigeria. Currently, he is working on a follow-up project titled 'A History of Corruption in Africa' under contract with Ohio University Press, while also exploring the politics of Islamic criminal law in Nigeria. His work is supported by a grant from the Harry F. Guggenheim Foundation, and he collaborates with peers on various projects relating to the historical anthropology of the region.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2006-01-01 — Present

University of Manchester • Manchester, England

Leads courses and research in Modern African History, supervising PhD students and engaging in various editorial activities.

Senior Editor

2020-07-01 — 2023-06-30

Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East • Remote

Responsible for overseeing publications and managing peer review processes.

Requirements for University of Manchester

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or science subject Strong background in mathematics and physics
Application Checklist
  • Academic transcripts
  • Two academic references
  • Personal statement
  • CV/Resume
  • English language proficiency certificate
Specialization Notes

Includes MSc in Advanced Electrical Power Systems and MSc in Communications and Signal Processing.