Franka Vaughan

Dr. Franka Vaughan is a VicHealth Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne (2025–2028), where she is developing a co-designed, whole-of-system approach to anti-racism. Her research program spans race relations in settler states, global histories of race and colonialism, governance and statebuilding in post-conflict settings, migration and diasporas, and antiracism praxis in research and curriculum. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Melbourne, an MSc in International Development from the University of Birmingham (UK), and a BA (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Ghana. She is a critical development enthusiast whose experience spans teaching, research, and policy advocacy, including work with civil society and non-governmental organisations in the areas of open data and open government. Franka is a leader and a dedicated advocate for creating safe spaces and fostering an inclusive scholarly community for international students and emerging scholars interested in Africa and its global connections through her work with the African Studies Group at the University of Melbourne and beyond.