Obama effect to be studied by UK researchers

An international network of researchers, journalists and diplomats have joined forces to study the impact of the Barack Obama - America’s first African American President.

The network will be based at The University of Manchester and led by Manchester’s Professor Inderjeet Parmar and Dr Mark Ledwidge with Professor Kevern Verney from Edge Hill University.

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, it is the probably only project of its kind outside the United States, and brings together experts from Britain, Europe and America.

They will analyse the challenges facing the President and the significance of his policies, publishing the results of their research on a dedicated website.

The AHRC Obama Research Network, will also organise symposia and seminars and stage an international conference just after the next presidential election in 2012.

The events will take place at the universities of Edge Hill, Warwick, and Manchester, the London School of Economics, and the Roosevelt Study Center in the Netherlands.

Professor Parmar said: “The election of Barack Obama in November 2008 will for many years remain a key moment in the history of the United States.

“After Obama won, his euphoric supporters believed he would bring an end to the unpopular policies of George W. Bush’s Republican administration.

“But the President faces huge domestic and foreign policy challenges, including the worst economic crisis since the 1930s and two costly unresolved foreign wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Race too remains a divisive issue with African Americans and other ethnic minority groups continuing to suffer acute socio-economic deprivation, high crime levels and racial prejudice.

“The success or failure of the Obama administration in addressing these problems will have profound implications not just for the citizens of the United States but also for governments and peoples around the world.”