From Nigeria to Political Science
In the world of political science, few stories highlight the link between lived experience and academic passion as clearly as that of Marvelous Fidelis. Her journey from growing up in Nigeria to becoming a first-year Ph.D. student at UC Merced is rooted in her determination to understand how emotions drive political engagement and, ultimately, democratic change.
“I grew up in Nigeria, where I witnessed firsthand how socioeconomic conditions shaped people’s daily lives and interactions with politics,” Fidelis recalled. “Seeing both the challenges of governance and the resilience of communities fueled my early curiosity about politics and accountability.” That curiosity only deepened during her undergraduate studies in Political Science at the University of Ibadan, where she explored governance, corruption, and the profound role social media plays in shaping public opinion and mobilization.
Her experiences during pivotal political moments, such as the #EndSARS protests, revealed to her that politics is as much about human emotion as it is about institutions. “I realized that anger, frustration, and fear were not just reactions—they were powerful forces that shaped how people engaged with politics,” she explained. This realization inspired her to pursue graduate study, where she could explore these dynamics in depth.
Finding a Home at UC Merced
When choosing a doctoral program, UC Merced stood out as the right fit. “The professors here are not only engaged in cutting-edge research, but they also genuinely care about addressing real-world issues,” Fidelis shared. The university’s diverse and welcoming environment further cemented her choice.
At UC Merced, Fidelis has already found mentors who have significantly shaped her path. She credits Professor Anil Menon with expanding her perspective on political behavior and encouraging her to approach complex questions with creativity and confidence.
Research with Purpose
Her current research focuses on the psychological dimensions of political participation, investigating how negative emotions like anger, fear, and frustration influence civic engagement and political attitudes. By illuminating these emotional drivers, she hopes her work will provide insights to strengthen democratic responsiveness and help policymakers better understand how to empower citizens.
Beyond research, Fidelis takes pride in her professional journey to date. Her work at the IRT Research Institute at NISER in Nigeria allowed her to contribute to studies addressing pressing social and economic challenges. And on a personal level, her move to the United States to pursue graduate studies represents a milestone achievement, marking her continued growth as both a researcher and an individual.
Fidelis’ story underscores the power of resilience, purpose, and intellectual curiosity. From her early exposure to governance challenges in Nigeria to her present focus on the role of emotions in politics, her journey is a reminder of how personal experience can fuel research with global impact.
