Titus Awokuse named Fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

The Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, or AAEA, named Titus Awokuse as one of six members in its class of 2024 fellows, the most prestigious honor one can receive by the organization. Awokuse, associate dean for research and strategic partnerships in Michigan State University’s International Studies and Programs, was among those honored at the annual AAEA meeting in New Orleans this summer. 

Awokuse joined ISP as associate dean in February 2022. In his current position at MSU, he oversees and facilitates several programs aimed at promoting existing global research initiatives and the development of new strategic partnerships around the world. In addition, he mentors early and mid-career professionals across various disciplines.  

Awokuse’s international engagements in support of the university’s education, research and capacity development activities spans numerous countries on five continents. He works collaboratively with others to enhance the visibility and impact of the work of MSU faculty, staff and students across various departments and colleges while creating new professional growth opportunities for early-career faculty to become more globally engaged. 

“Titus is a leader-scholar who combines outstanding research contributions in agricultural trade economics with a unique blend of international leadership,” said Thomas Reardon, MSU University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics.  

In Reardon’s nomination of Awokuse, he wrote, ”Titus is known by many for his caring mentorship and wisdom. His childhood experience with poverty in Nigeria kindled his passion for understanding the challenges of food insecurity and how evidenced-based public policies could be a path for addressing the problem of underdevelopment and improving livelihoods in Africa and beyond.” 

Awokuse previously served as chairperson in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics from 2015-2021. He is an internationally recognized scholar whose research interests examine how international trade and food market liberalization policies enhance economic growth, improve food supply chains and promote food security in developing countries.  

He led a significant expansion in research productivity and global capacity development during his tenure as the Chair of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE), the leading department at MSU in terms of the scope and impact of its contributions to the university’s global food security and international development initiatives. AFRE’s global reputation and visibility rose to its highest level with a global ranking of 4th among all agricultural and applied economics departments. 

Prior to his tenure at Michigan State, Awokuse was chairperson and professor in the Department of Applied Economics and Statistics at the University of Delaware. 

“To be elected as a Fellow of a global professional society such as the AAEA is a great honor that I humbly share with my former students, mentors and colleagues at Michigan State University and elsewhere,” Awokuse said.  

“I am delighted that this award recognizes my contributions as an academic leader and my early pioneering research, which focused on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to the empirical analyses of agri-food markets, international trade policy and drivers of economic growth.” 

The AAEA is the leading professional organization in the field of agricultural and applied economics with 2,500 members in more than 60 countries. AAEA members work in academic or government institutions, industry and non-profit organizations.  

“This well-deserved honor represents not only Dr. Awokuse’s professional distinction in agricultural economics, but also his contributions to AFRE as the former department chair,” said Matt Daum, interim dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Leading this highly ranked program and its internationally respected community of scholars requires an exceptional skillset, and we’re proud that Dr. Awokuse contributed his talents to our college.” 

The main consideration for selecting Fellows is continuous contribution to the advancement of agricultural or applied economics as defined by the AAEA Vision Statement. Achievements may be in research, teaching, extension, administration, and/or other contributions to public or private sector decision-making. 

“I am immensely proud to work alongside Titus Awokuse — not just as a colleague in our shared field of agricultural economics, but also as a fellow Global Spartan who uses his vision, knowledge and leadership to advance collaborative solutions to the world’s biggest problems,” said Steven Hanson, vice provost and dean for International Studies and Programs at MSU.    

Hanson previously served as chair of AFRE from 2003-2014.