Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg is an assistant professor in the
Politics department. She holds a Ph.D. and Masters degree in
Political Science from the University of Minnesota and a
Bachelor's degree in Politics from Whitman College.
Her varied research and teaching interests include the politics of
gender, global philanthropy, international development, ethnic
politics, transitions to democracy, and the role of communication
technology in social action.
One of her current research projects looks at challenges to
meaningful philanthropy towards Africa while another project
examines the impact of ethnic politics on the struggle for
women's rights legislation in Africa with a particular
emphasis on the Kenyan experience. She has published articles on
women's movements in Africa as well as on the impact of
U.S. anti-terror legislation on anti-terror legislation in
Kenya.
Her offerings include courses on the Politics of International Aid
and Development, African Politics, Introduction to African
Politics, and the Politics of Racial and Ethnic Identity. She also
teachers for the Sarlo Scholars program offered through the
McCarthy Center.
Dr Kamau-Rutenberg is also the founder and executive director of
Akili Dada, an international
non-profit organization working to ensure that the next generation
of Kenyan women leaders includes women from disadvantaged economic
backgrounds. Akili Dada offers competitive and comprehensive
scholarships to brilliant girls from impoverished Kenyan families
while connecting them to a network of high level professional women
who serve as mentors. As part of her work with Akili Dada she
mentors USF students who undertake directly supervised internships
with the organization.
