Kevin S. Fridy is Professor of Political Science at the University of Tampa, Florida. He specializes in West African politics and works on projects dealing with the interactions between society and political institutions. His work has been published in African studies and political science journals such as Journal of Modern African Studies, Democratization, African Affairs, African Studies Quarterly, Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, and Journal of African Elections. He has traveled extensively throughout West Africa conducting his research. He teaches courses on African politics, as well as a travel course to Ghana with a focus on political and economic develop development.