John
Acquaful
PhD Student · Media & Communication · BGSU
Researcher · Instructor · Podcast Co-host
Researcher, Educator
& Community Builder
John Acquaful is a doctoral student in the School of Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), where he studies the intersection of political communication, social media, and emerging technologies.
His ongoing project examines how Ghanaian social media influencers functioned as digital gatekeepers during the #FixTheCountry campaign (2021), analyzing credibility cues and misinformation patterns through Source Credibility Theory. He is also investigating how AI-driven tools — including chatbots — are transforming consumer-organization communication, with a focus on anthropomorphism, trust, and behavioral intention.
Beyond research, John has served as an instructor for Advertising 1010: Principles of Advertising and Introduction to Public Speaking (COMM 1020) at BGSU, and co-hosts the Graduate Students Den podcast — a platform that supports graduate student life and professional development.
Originally from Ghana, John draws on his lived experience navigating academic systems as an international student. He is passionate about mentoring new students — especially those from the Global South — as they find their footing in American academic communities.
Academic
Background
Areas of
Inquiry
- 01 Political communication & social media in sub-Saharan Africa
- 02 Misinformation, credibility, and digital gatekeeping
- 03 AI-mediated communication & chatbot consumer behavior
- 04 Diaspora identity & political mobilization online
- 05 International student experiences in U.S. higher education
My Full
Academic CV
My curriculum vitae provides a complete record of my academic journey — research, publications, courses taught, conference activity, and professional service.
Whether you are a faculty collaborator, search committee member, journalist, or student interested in my work, the CV is the most complete picture of my professional profile.
- Research projects & publications
- Courses taught
- Conference presentations & academic service
- Education history
- Skills, training & professional development
What People
Are Saying
Kind words from professors, students, colleagues, and collaborators I have had the privilege of working with.
[John brings a rare combination of theoretical rigor & genuine curiosity to his work. He is one of those doctoral students who approaches every question with intellectual honesty & a willingness to sit with complexity. He also shows initiative & enthusiasm with a sense of fun & humor - while also taking care of others in the community of graduate students]
[He made the class interesting and easy to follow. He was helpful, explained things clearly, and cared about helping students be engaged witin the classroom. I would recommend him other students]
[John, as my team lead, created an environment where everyone felt supported, valued and motivated. His exemplary leadership and genuine care for the team allowed us to complete tasks efficiently while also looking out for one another. I would wholeheartedly recommend him for any leadership role.]
[Ohhhhh! 🙏🙏🙏 You guys and the initiator of this idea are fabulous and I have learned massively from Graduate Students Den and today episode 8 is fantastic and I appreciate the acknowledgement and all. ]
[Having John during my first semester of freshman year was truly a blessing. He was an incredibly informative Professor who made sure every student understood the material, which greatly helped me adjust to college life]
[As a former student of John Acquaful, I appreciated how passionate he was about teaching. He wanted his students to succeed and grow creatively. The classroom environment he created was fun and always encouraged participation.]