Karen Coen Flynn

Assistant Professor

Ph.D. (1997) Harvard University

M. Phil. (1986) University of Cambridge

BA College of Wooster

Research (Tanzania; NE Ohio)

In 1991 I initiated my Ph.D. dissertation research exploring the political-economy of food provisioning in urban Mwanza, Tanzania. At that time I examined the processes through which over 360 market traders, household members, government officials, destitute adults and street children fed themselves and others. (See publications)

My more recent research has been an outgrowth of this early work, but now includes the interrelated processes of food acquisition and poverty in the United States. I recently completed a collaborative study, with departmental colleague Dr. Carolyn Behrman, and Arleen Hanlin of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, investigating the non-governmental food networks and survival strategies of the hungry in northeastern Ohio. In conjunction with mapping the geographical position and service schedules of soup kitchens, pantries and other distribution agencies in relation to low-income areas and public bus lines, we studied the policy factors affecting the food-acquisition strategies of the clients and the food-distribution services of the agencies. (See publications)

After the violent events of September 11, 2001, university colleague T.J. Boisseau (Department of History) and I surveyed over 1250 faculty members at a midwestern university to learn more about their classroom approaches in the wake of an international crisis. (See publications)

My future research agenda involves continuing study of the political-economy of Tanzanian street children and the contemporary meanings/identities/stereotypes associated with them. This work will build on my 1993-94 Ph.D. research as well as a street-children’s study I carried-out in Mwanza during the summer of 2000. I plan to return to Tanzania in the spring of 2004 to study the ways former street children have been successfully reintegrated over the long-term with family members or other appropriate caregivers.

Furthermore I am going to continue carrying out research in the United States. The proposed research entitled, “A Situational Analysis of Homeless Teenage Girls in Akron: Identifying Approaches to Promote Greater Success in School,” investigates the relationships between homelessness and homeless girls’ success or lack thereof in school. The overall objective of the study is to identify those aspects in homeless teenage girls’ lives that negatively or positively affect their potential for social, emotional and academic success in school. In turn Project R.I.S.E. and Safe Landing will use this information to improve their policies, program development and outreach activities to promote these girls’ educational success.

In addition, I am in the preliminary phases of exploring a future study of the effects of a felony conviction on homelessness among women.

Publications

2002 “Teaching the Day After: An Assessment of American University Pedagogy in the Wake of September 11, 2001.” Co-authored with Dr. Tracey Jean Boisseau. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 33(3):350-367.

2002 “Gender, Power and Entitlement Theory.” Co-authored with Dr. Carolyn Behrman. Nutritional Anthropology. 25(1):35-8.

2001 “Urban Agriculture in Mwanza, Tanzania.” Africa. 71 (4): 666-691.

1999 “Food, Gender and Survival Among Street Adults of Mwanza, Tanzania.” Food and Foodways, 8(1):1-30.

1997 Mwalimu: The Influence of Nyerere. International Journal of African Historical Studies, 30(2):407-409. (book review)

1996 Crisis, Urbanization, and Urban Poverty in Tanzania. International Journal of African Historical Studies 29(3):23-5. (book review)