Wangari Njathi

Publications, Accepted

• Njathi, W. A. (2026, forthcoming). Curated bodies: Cosmetic enhancement, colorism, and platform capitalism in Nairobi’s influencer scene. Post45: Contemporary Essays on Literature and Culture.
• Njathi, W. A. (2026, forthcoming). Instagram platform as a fire object: A combustible reality in Nairobi. Creator & Influencer Studies, 1(1). Springer Nature.
• Njathi, W. A., & Kwet, M. (2026, forthcoming). Likes, labour, and platform power: Instagram influencers in Nairobi under platform capitalism. Third World Quarterly.
• Fischbach, S., Njathi, W. A., & Pettiette, M. (2025, forthcoming). Coping with role conflict to create AI efficacy: Transformative learning strategies from the classroom to the workplace. Journal for Advancement of Marketing Education.

Books

• Njathi, A. & Watkins, B., (2024). Digital Marketing, PR and Communication Trends in Africa. Edited Book Collection. Routledge Publishers 

Book Chapters

• Nzau, T., Njathi, W. A., & S. (2026, forthcoming). The Safaricom crisis during Kenya’s Finance Bill protests. In Crisis communication cases from Africa: A socio-cultural perspective. [Publisher].
• Njathi, W. A., Anani-Bossman, A., Nzau, T., & Gichuki, M. M. (2026, forthcoming). Reimagining marketing and communication in Africa’s GenAI adoption: A comparative study of Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. In Strategic communication in the digital age: Redefining the practice in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Njathi, W. A., & Kiilu, S. (2026, forthcoming). AI-driven integrated marketing communication in Africa: Structural constraints, linguistic inequalities, and emerging localized innovations. In IMC in a digital era in emerging economies. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Njathi, W. A., Nzau, T., & Wambui, R. (2025, forthcoming). Digital resistance across borders: Kenyan diaspora mobilization during the #RejectFinanceBill protests. Special Issue on Global Diaspora and Social Media.
• Njathi, W. A., Mutung’u, G., & Ajibola, Y. (2024). Digital ecosystem in Africa: Unfolding regulatory practices, gaps, and trends. In Digital public relations and marketing communication trends in Africa (pp. 172–192). Routledge.
• Njathi, W. A., & Watkins, B. (2024). Trends in public relations and marketing research in Africa. In Digital public relations and marketing communication trends in Africa (pp. 193–204). Routledge.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wamanji, E. (2024). Twitter (X) activism and crisis management: A case study of KFC Kenya franchise. In Digital public relations and marketing communication trends in Africa (pp. 68–88). Routledge.
• Watkins, B., & Njathi, W. A. (2024). Africa: An introduction to a growing digital market. In Digital public relations and marketing communication trends in Africa (pp. 1–11). Routledge.
• Njathi, W. A. (2024). Earning a living on Instagram in Kenya. In C. Digital & J. Donner (Eds.), The platform livelihoods project (pp. 202–218). Caribou Digital Publishing.
• Njathi, W. A., & Lee, N. (2021). Social media influencers in Africa: An analysis of Instagram content and brand endorsements. In Research perspectives on social media influencers and their followers (pp. 91–109). Lexington Books.

Peer-Reviewed Articles

• Njathi, W. A., Nzau, T., & Wambui, R. (2026). Digital activism under siege: State surveillance, censorship, and platform governance in Kenya. In Platform mechanics of hate and marginality: Perspectives from the Global South. AoIR Selected Papers of Internet Research.
• Berube, D. M., Whitley, B., Njathi, W. A., Jones, J., Cuchiara, M., & Olatunde, F. (2024). Agriculture and nanotechnology: National infrastructure readiness [Preprint]. Research Square. 
• E4E, Obafemi, F, Njathi, W. A., (2023). Africa's Digital Future; Data Protection Frameworks. Contributions to the online consultations on the Global Digital Compact. United Nations. Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wambui, R. (2022). “A Digital Patriarchal Bargain: Violence Against Women in Kenya”. Feminist Perspectives on Social Media Governance. InternetLab and IT for Change.
• de Souza e Silva A, Glover-Rijkse R, Njathi, W. A., de Cunto Bueno D. Playful mobilities in the Global South: A study of Pokémon Go play in Rio de Janeiro and Nairobi. New Media & Society. June 2021. doi:10.1177/14614448211016400  
• de Souza e Silva, A., Glover-Rijkse, Njathi, W. A., & de Cunto Bueno, D. (2021). Exploring the Material Conditions of Location-based Gameplay in the Global South, Information, Communication & Society, DOI: 10.1080/1369118X.2021.1909098
• Sayo, P., Njathi, W. A., A, Jerono P. Rotich, and Mose, P. (2020). Kenyan International Students’ Experiential Reflections on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenya Studies Review 8(2), 111-122
• Njathi, W. A. (2019). The Effects of Mobile Lending Apps on Bottom of the Pyramid Consumers in Kenya: A Case of Tala FinTech Company. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies. 3(8), 112 – 126. Awarded Top Student, Emerging Scholar Award

Peer Reviews

• CRDM Symposium Proposals Review. CRDM Symposium 2019 - Dialog 2.0: Social Movements, Online Communication, and Transformation 

• 2025 National Communication Association (NCA) PRIDE Award for Outstanding Book. Recognized for the book Njathi, W. A. & Watkins, B. (2024). Digital Public Relations and Marketing Communication Trends in Africa. Routledge at the 2025 NCA Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado.
• 2025 Best Paper Award. Recognized for the research paper Petitie, Fischbach, & Njathi, W. A. (2025), “Navigating Role Conflict and AI Efficacy: Practical Insights for Workplaces and Classrooms,” presented at the American Marketing Association Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• 2023–2024 Faculty Scholarly Recognition Book Award. Received recognition from Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, for scholarly contributions.
• 2022 Nationally Recognized Future Faculty Career Exploration Program. Selected to participate in the Future Faculty Career Exploration Program, hosted by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in New York, designed to support prospective faculty career development.
• 2022 Future Faculty Career Exploration Program. Featured in institutional recognition by Rochester Institute of Technology and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, New York, highlighting initiatives supporting underrepresented prospective faculty entering academic careers.
• 2022 Ebony Harlem Awards Nominee, Graduate student. North Carolina State University 
• 2022 Chancellor’s Creating Community Nominee. North Carolina State University 
• 2020 Outstanding Graduate Teacher. Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching.  North Carolina State University 
• Top Student (2nd runners-up) Emerging Scholar Award, 12th Kenya Scholars and Studies Association. Atlanta, United States
• 2019 - 22 Several Travel Awards, CRDM Program. North Carolina State University 
• 2018 - 19 Graduate Fellowship, NC State University 
• 2018-2022 Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP) Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP), NC State University

International:

• Njathi, W. A., Komen, L. J., & Kemibaro, M. (2026, June 4–8). Voices off the grid: Zello, youth activism, and digital resistance in Kenya’s #RejectFinanceBill 2024 protests. 76th Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference: Communication and Inequalities in Context, Cape Town, South Africa.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wambui, R. (2025, February 24–27). Is AI silencing the South? Decolonizing abuse detection in AI-driven hate speech moderation [Panel discussion with C. Kraft-Buchman, S. Wani, & Y. Curzi]. RightsCon 2025, Taiwan. IT for Change.
• Njathi, W. A. (2024, October 30–November 2). The glamourised divide: Issues for the Instagram platform economy for influencers in emerging markets [Roundtable with T. Bidav, S. Mehta, A. Arriagada, W. Karis, C. K. H. Wong, S. Nora, & K. Bondy]. Global South Creator Cultures, AoIR 2024 Conference, Sheffield, UK.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wambui, R. (2023, June 5–8). A digital patriarchal bargain: Violence against women in Kenya. User Safety and Accessibility in Platform and Product Development, RightsCon 2023, Costa Rica.
• Njathi, W. A. (2022, May 31–July 1). The glitz and glamour platform economy: Issues for Instagram monetization for influencers in emerging markets. Global Perspectives on Platforms and Cultural Production Conference, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wambui, R. (2022, April 8). The overlooked gender bias on African digital platforms: A feminist inquiry [Virtual roundtable]. Feminist Perspectives on Social Media Governance, InternetLab and IT for Change.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wambui, R. (2022, March 10). Unconventional African women creatives in internet spaces [Virtual discussion]. Mozilla Festival (MozFest).
• Njathi, W. A. (2021, June). Stretching digital colonialism from the North to the South: A case study of the transnational movement of the tech giants into Kenya. International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) Conference, Virtual.
• Njathi, W. A., & Acheampong, T. Y. (2021, June–July). The growing presence of Chinese digital firms in key economic sectors of Global South nations: A comparative study of Huawei’s impacts in Ghana and Kenya. Development Studies Association Conference, University of East Anglia, UK. Virtual.
• Njathi, W. A. (2021). Technological utopianism: The technocratic approach to technology for African development: A case study of Kenya. Pondering African Futures Conference, University of Pittsburgh. Virtual.
• de Souza e Silva, A., Glover-Rijkse, Njathi, W. A., & de Cunto Bueno, D. (2021, May). Exploring the material conditions of location-based gameplay in the Global South. International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Mobile Communication Interest Group. Virtual.
• Adebayo, A., Njathi, W. A., Githinji, K., & Adbikoye, E. (2021, April). The proliferation of COVID-19 infodemics: Crafty health advice and fake cures in Africa. 6th Biennial D.C. Health Communication Conference (DCHC). Virtual.
• de Souza e Silva, A., Glover-Rijkse, Njathi, W. A., & de Cunto Bueno, D. (2020). Playful mobilities in the Global South: A comparative study of Pokémon Go play between Rio de Janeiro and Nairobi. #AoIR2020 Virtual Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
• Njathi, W. A. (2019). M-lending in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria: A comparative study of internet use, adoption, and financial inclusion of low-income households. 4th Annual AROCSA Conference, Nairobi, Kenya.
  
  Njathi, W. A. (2019, July). African Scholars PhD Seminar. 4th Annual AROCSA Conference, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.
  

National:

• Nzau, T., & Njathi, W. A. (2025, June 11). Visual provocation and political radicalization: The role of satirical imagery in shaping Kenya’s digital dissent. Social Media Radicalization: Definitions, Theories, Methods ICA 2025 Pre-Conference, Metropolitan State University, Denver, CO.
• Njathi, W. A. (2025). Instagram platform as a fire object: A combustible reality in Nairobi, disrupting Western ideologies. 75th Annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference, Denver, CO.
• Fischbach, S., Njathi, W. A., & Pettiette, M. (2025, May). Role conflict and AI efficacy from the classroom to the workplace. UNCW IMC Conference, Wilmington, NC.
• Pettiette, M., Fischbach, S., & Njathi, W. A. (2025, April). Navigating role conflict and AI efficacy: Practical insights for workplaces and classrooms. American Marketing Association Conference, New Orleans, LA. Best Paper Award.
• Fischbach, S., Njathi, W. A., & Pettiette, M. (2025, April). Role conflict and artificial intelligence (AI) efficacy: Practical implications from workplace to classroom. Marketing Educators Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2025, February 19). Prioritizing patient needs: Delivering a premium customer-centric experience in healthcare [Invited speaker]. Ventura County Homecare Association (VCHA), Spanish Hills Country Club, Camarillo, CA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2025, August 9). Unveiling the power of branding and marketing in the digital age [Invited speaker]. Minds Matter SoCal, USC, Los Angeles, CA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2024, November 20). (Re)valuing the creator economy [Preconference session]. 20th Virtual Creators Preconference, National Communication Association (NCA), New Orleans, LA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2024, April 18–19). A stab at Afro-pessimism by Nairobi digital content creators [Conference presentation]. Everyday Forms of Digital Activism and Resistance: An International Symposium, Center on Digital Culture and Society, Annenberg School for Communication, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
• Fischbach, S., Njathi, W. A., & Wang, A. (2024, April). AI in the integrated marketing communication classroom. American Marketing Association College Conference, New Orleans, LA.
• Njathi, W. A., & Fischbach, S. (2024, April). Practical application of user-driven marketing campaigns. Marketing Educators Association Conference, Reno, NV.
• Njathi, W. A. (2023, March). A stab at Afro-pessimism by Nairobi digital content creators. The Power of Community: Afro-Diasporic Worldbuilding and a Sustainable Futurity, Black Research Symposium, North Carolina State University.
• Njathi, W. A. (2023, February). A digital patriarchal bargain: Violence against women in Kenya. Breaking Barriers: Agents of Change, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Pennsylvania State University.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wamanji, E. (2022, November). Twitter activism and crisis management: A case study of KFC Kenya franchise and Cytonn. 108th Annual Convention, National Communication Association (NCA), New Orleans, LA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2022, August 3–4). Platforms, technology, and platform labor. Race & Tech Research Workshop: The Intersection of Race, Caste, Indigeneity, and Technology, Microsoft, Virtual.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wambui, R. (2022). A digital patriarchal bargain: Violence against women in Kenya. Feminist Perspectives on Social Media Governance, InternetLab and IT for Change.
• Klyueva, A., Ngondo, P., Njathi, W. A., & Tsetsura, K. (2021, November). The landscape of public relations practice and research in Africa [Panel presentation]. 107th Annual Convention, National Communication Association (NCA), Seattle, WA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2021, April). PackPics [Graduate research showcase]. Graduate Student Association (GSA), North Carolina State University, Virtual.
• Njathi, W. A. (2019, September). The effects of mobile lending apps on bottom-of-the-pyramid consumers in Kenya: A case of Tala FinTech Company. Kenya Scholars and Studies Association Conference, Atlanta, GA. Top Student Research Award.
• Njathi, W. A. (2019, September). Immigrant students’ challenges and opportunities in the USA [Panelist]. Kenya Scholars and Studies Association Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Invited Talks

• Njathi, W. A. (2026, April 24). Graduation address on leadership, identity, and global African excellence [Graduation speaker]. African Student Association (ASA), California Lutheran University, in collaboration with African Focus Network, Westlake Village, CA.Njathi, W. A. (2026, April 24). Graduation address on leadership, identity, and global African excellence [Graduation speaker]. African Student Association (ASA), California Lutheran University, in collaboration with African Focus Network, Westlake Village, CA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2026, March 12–14). Judge, Sales Competition, Perfect Pitch Competition, Digital Marketing Competition, and Design Lab Competition [Judge]. American Marketing Association (AMA) International Collegiate Conference (ICC), Chicago, IL.
• Njathi, W. A. (2025, August 9). Unveiling the power of branding and marketing in the digital age [Invited speaker]. Minds Matter SoCal, USC, Los Angeles, CA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2025, May 7). Judge, New Venture Fair (NVF) 2025 [Judge]. New Venture Fair, California Lutheran University, Westlake Village, CA. Evaluated student startup projects presented by teams from the Executive MBA in Europe Program and regional middle and high schools.
• Njathi, W. A. (2025, February 19). Prioritizing patient needs: Delivering a premium customer-centric experience in healthcare [Invited speaker]. Ventura County Homecare Association (VCHA), Spanish Hills Country Club, Camarillo, CA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2024, November 18). Unlocking potential: Digital tools and strategies for SMEs in Kenya and the U.S. [Panel discussion]. eCommerce Day Kenya, in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration and Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Njathi, W. A. (2024, October 24). Audience development strategies: Attracting, engaging, and retaining communities to amplify organizational impact [Invited speaker]. County of Ventura, California, in collaboration with EDC/SBDC, Camarillo, CA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2024, October 14). Digital marketing and PR/outreach [Invited speaker]. Arts & Culture Investment Fund Workshops, County of Ventura, California, in collaboration with EDC/SBDC, Camarillo, CA.
• Njathi, W. A. (2021). Emerging trends in digital marketing [Invited speaker]. Invitex: A Tech and Marketing Summit, Nairobi, Kenya. Virtual.
• Njathi, W. A. (2019, July). Technology enabling financial inclusion for African women in tech [Panel moderator]. Kenya Conference, Michael Joseph Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Njathi, W. A. (2018, March). Writing for social media and social media etiquette [Guest lecturer]. COM 668X: Writing for Media, Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Njathi, W. A. (2017, December). Women’s entrepreneurship in renewables: Gender inclusion in the energy sector [Panel guest speaker]. wPOWER Partnership, Kenya.

• Cross-Disciplinary/Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research (CDIUR) Grant. (2026). Pepperdine University. $4,200. Research collaboration with undergraduate students Klive Oh and Heijin Lee on Creators Under Pressure: Mental Health and Digital Aggression in the Influencer Industry, examining challenges faced by digital creators within the influencer economy.
• Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative (AYURI). (2024). Pepperdine University. $1,500. Research collaboration with undergraduate student Katherine DeLong examining the creator economy in Los Angeles, California.
• Fellowship, United Nations Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology. (2024). Participated in online consultations supporting development of the Global Digital Compact, with a focus on Africa’s digital future and data protection frameworks.
• Internet Connectivity Fund. (2023). RightsCon. $500. Supported research and engagement on global internet connectivity issues.
• Microsoft Race & Technology Workshop. (2022). $2,500. Research support to participate in scholarly discussions on platforms, technology, and platform labor.
• Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG) Fellowship. (2022). Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet). Selected as a fellow for the program focusing on internet governance, policy, and digital development.
• UK Development Studies Association (DSA) Conference Grant. (2021). Received conference support to present research and engage in global development studies scholarship.
• African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) Fellowship. (2021). Association for Progressive Communications (APC). Selected as a fellow for the program focusing on African digital policy, internet governance, and technology ecosystems.
• UK COVID-19 Education Grant. (2020). Institute of International Education (IIE) Emergency Student Fund (ESF). Received educational support to maintain academic continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic 

• American Influencer Council. (2026). Wangari Njathi, Ph.D.: AIC Academic Advisory Circle member. American Influencer Council.
• PR Newswire. (2026, April 23). American Influencer Council launches the Academic Advisory Circle, establishing first scholarly network dedicated to the U.S. creator economy. PR Newswire.
• Pepperdine University Seaver College. (2026, April 23). Seaver College students “Brand Their Future” at alumni career coaching event. Pepperdine University.
• Kalberg, F., & Njathi, W. A. (2025, November 14). AI, Stukent & BoodleBox with Prof. Kalberg and Njathi [Audio podcast episode]. In Marketing with Dr. F and B-Dawg. Spotify.
• Hassan, Y. (2025, July 19). Digital public relations and marketing trends in Africa. Daily Nation.
• Njathi, W. A. (2025, April 15). Deep inequities, unfair practices hindering Kenyan creators. PRovoke Media.
• Guo, E. (2025, March 4). At RightsCon in Taipei, activists reckon with a U.S. retreat from promoting digital rights. MIT Technology Review. 
• AEJMC Public Relations Division. (2025, April). Book highlight with Brandi Watkins. PR Update, 59(2).
• Suzuki, K. (2024, December 1). Small talk: A culture of its own [Interview with W. A. Njathi]. Pepperdine Graphic. Njathi, W. A. (2024). A stab at Afro-pessimism by Nairobi digital content creators [Video]. Center on Digital Culture and Society, Annenberg School for Communication, Pennsylvania State University. YouTube.
• Njathi, W. A. (2024). The platform livelihoods of influencers [Podcast episode]. The Platform Livelihoods Project, Caribou Digital. Caribou Digital – The Platform Livelihoods Project
• Luo, S. (2024, April 2). Deinfluencing trend counters consumerism [Interview with W. A. Njathi]. Pepperdine Graphic. Pepperdine Graphic
• Seaver Newsroom. (2024, July 26). Wangari Njathi publishes groundbreaking research on Africa’s digital marketplace. Pepperdine University.
• Njathi, W. A., & Wambui, R. (2022, March). We must assess the place of women creatives in the digital space. Standard Newspaper, 18.
• Njathi, W. A. (2022, January). Kenya’s hammer blow to loan apps long overdue. Business Daily, 18.
• Njathi, W. A., & Ede, T. (2021, November). Does Africa really need the internet? The Cable, Nigeria.
• Heeks, R. (2021). Revisiting “leapfrogging” in a platformised world. [Media commentary].
• Njathi, W. A. (2021, February). Why I’m keen on deconstructing Africa’s influencer marketing. Daily Nation, Kenya.
• Njathi, W. A. (Founder & Host). (n.d.). TechOver Africa [Podcast]. Series of interviews with experts and scholars on Africa’s digital economy, technological uptake, and technology.