PhD student Michael Oluwatobiloba Ajayi has been awarded a 2025-26 Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellowship. The program offers U of T doctoral students an opportunity to explore the world of public scholarship and to make connections outside the university through innovative forms of scholarly communication. Michael's project, "The Voices of Unity: Faces of the Vote Exhibition," explores how religion, ethnicity, and politics influenced voter behaviour during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, especially in the multicultural Southwest. A multimedia exhibition will showcase powerful, anonymized stories and visuals from Michael’s fieldwork, highlighting how everyday voters navigate complex identities and make political choices. Artistic representations and visual data will offer visitors an immersive experience that humanizes electoral narratives and fosters deeper understanding.
Alongside the exhibition, Michael will host informal dialogues and guided tours to encourage community reflection and conversation. By connecting academic research with public storytelling, “Voices of Unity” aims to amplify underrepresented voices and inspire new approaches to democracy and inclusion. The project also creates a bridge between Nigeria’s experiences and Canadian conversations about diversity and governance, encouraging reflection and shared learning across both societies.
A doctoral student of religion and politics from Nigeria, Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Religious Studies and a Master’s degree with Distinction in Sociology and Ethics of Religion from the University of Ibadan. Now pursuing a Ph.D. His research explores how religion, ethnicity, and political identity shape democratic participation in Nigeria. Passionate about public engagement, Michael’s work bridges academic research and community dialogue, aiming to amplify marginalized voices and promote inclusive democratic practices in both Nigerian and Canadian contexts.