Research Excellence Award

Michael Ato Essuman is a Ghanaian academic, researcher, and lecturer affiliated with the Department of Publishing Studies, College of Art and Built Environment, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. His academic and professional contributions span publishing studies, design education, textbook evaluation, digital publishing, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary research in art and educational communication. His scholarly activities include peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, curriculum review activities, exhibitions, postgraduate supervision, and national educational accreditation initiatives.[1]

Abstract

This article documents the academic profile, scholarly contributions, research achievements, and institutional service of Michael Ato Essuman in recognition of his nomination for the Research Excellence Award under the International Phenomenological Research Awards. His work integrates publishing studies, textbook evaluation, educational design, digital publishing, and communication through interdisciplinary academic practice. He has contributed significantly to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, curriculum development, research supervision, exhibition curation, and scholarly publishing within Ghana and internationally. His research activities focus on educational media, design communication, publishing innovation, textbook assessment, and digital transformation within the educational and creative sectors. His service record further demonstrates contributions to accreditation, curriculum review, academic quality assurance, and editorial activities within higher education systems.[2]

Keywords

Publishing Studies; Textbook Evaluation; Educational Media; Book Design; Digital Publishing; Art Education; Curriculum Development; Academic Research; Ghanaian Education; Communication Design; Phenomenological Research; Interdisciplinary Scholarship.

Introduction

Michael Ato Essuman is an academic scholar and lecturer whose professional work is situated within publishing studies, educational design, and communication practices in Ghana. Since joining the Department of Publishing Studies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2020, he has contributed to teaching, research, mentorship, curriculum review, and scholarly dissemination across multiple educational domains. His research reflects interdisciplinary engagement with textbook publishing, design thinking, educational communication, digital learning resources, and publishing innovation.[3]

His academic formation includes advanced studies in Art Education and Publishing Studies, supported by continuous professional development through workshops, seminars, and international training programmes in academic writing, digital research, educational technology, and interdisciplinary scholarship. These activities have strengthened his role as an educator, researcher, and academic leader within the Ghanaian higher education system.[4]

Research Profile

Michael Ato Essuman’s research profile is centered on publishing studies, textbook evaluation, educational design, digital communication, and interdisciplinary art education. His scholarly investigations explore the relationship between educational resources, publishing systems, visual communication, and student learning outcomes within African educational contexts. His academic work incorporates both qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches in evaluating publishing practices, educational technologies, and communication systems.[5]

He has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects involving educational publishing, digitalisation, social media influence, textbook assessment, employability skills, typography, online educational resources, and artificial intelligence in publishing. His role as a supervisor reflects commitment to applied academic mentorship and professional development among students within the Department of Publishing Studies.[6]

• Lecturer in the Department of Publishing Studies at KNUST since 2020.
• Research interests include textbook evaluation, educational publishing, design communication, and digital media.
• Contributor to curriculum review and educational accreditation initiatives.
• Supervisor of undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
• Participant in international academic conferences and scholarly workshops.

Research Contributions

Michael Ato Essuman has contributed to the advancement of publishing studies and educational communication through peer-reviewed publications, exhibitions, conference presentations, and curriculum development activities. His scholarly work addresses textbook quality evaluation, educational publishing systems, publishing technologies, design processes, and communication strategies relevant to educational institutions and creative industries in Ghana.[7]

His exhibition-based academic projects demonstrate the integration of practice-based research with cultural heritage documentation and visual communication. The exhibitions “From the Belly of the City” and “Essuma: Symbols Reimagined: Bridging Ghana’s Past and Future” explored Ghanaian symbolism, cultural identity, design thinking, and educational creativity through collaborative student engagement and public academic presentation.[8]

Additionally, he has participated in research dissemination activities through international conferences including the IARTEM International Conference on Textbooks and Educational Media in Paris, France, and the International Conference in Emerging Technology and Interdisciplinary Sciences. These engagements highlight his commitment to international scholarly dialogue and interdisciplinary educational research.[9]

Publications

Michael Ato Essuman has authored and co-authored scholarly publications related to textbook evaluation, educational publishing, communication design, teacher retention, and educational resource development. His publications contribute to contemporary discussions within publishing studies, educational innovation, and design communication.[10]

1. Essuman, M. A., & Osei-Poku, P. (2015). Evaluation of selected textbooks from Ghanaian primary schools. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 4(6), 310-319.
2. Howard, P. M. A., Essuman, M. A., Asare, T. O., & Simpson, K. B. (2019). The need for customized academic dresses for tertiary institutions in Ghana. American Journal of Art and Design, 4(3), 31-40.
3. Howard, P. M. A., Essuman, M. A., & Asare, T. O. (2019). Strategies for determining production cost and pricing of garments in Ghana. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 10(3), 75-87.
4. Kyeremeh, J., Adom, D., Essuman, M. A., & Pek, L. S. (2025). Factors influencing teachers’ attrition in public basic schools in Techiman Municipality, Ghana: An embedded mixed methods study. Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education & Learning Innovation, 1(1), 66-88. https://doi.org/10.56003/jaieli.v1i1.578
5. Agbo, A. H., Ry-Kottoh, L. A., Nunoo, F. K. N., & Essuman, M. A. (2025). Handwriting difficulty among basic school pupils in the Oforikrom Municipality in Ghana. International Journal for Early Childhood Care and Educational Research, 2(1).
6. Essuman, M. A. (2024). The “Essuma” Symbols. etext Publishing Network, Ghana.
7. Essuman, M. A. (2024). Introduction to Basic Design. etext Publishing Network, Ghana.
8. Essuman, M. A. (2024). Introduction to Book Design. etext Publishing Network, Ghana.

Research Impact

The academic impact of Michael Ato Essuman’s work is reflected in his contributions to publishing education, curriculum innovation, educational quality assurance, and interdisciplinary design research. His teaching activities encompass undergraduate and postgraduate instruction in drawing, book design, textbook publishing, design production, and computer-aided publishing systems. Through research supervision and mentorship, he has contributed to developing practical and analytical competencies among students within publishing and communication disciplines.[11]

His institutional service includes participation in accreditation committees, examination coordination, curriculum review boards, editorial boards, and educational assessment initiatives coordinated by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and other academic institutions. He has additionally served as a reviewer, assessor, communication officer, and academic facilitator in multiple university and national educational programmes.[12]

• Contributor to curriculum review and accreditation activities in Ghanaian universities.
• Supervisor of multiple undergraduate and postgraduate theses.
• Participant in interdisciplinary educational and publishing research initiatives.
• Editorial board member for academic journals in humanities and social sciences.
• Advocate for digital publishing, textbook accessibility, and educational innovation.

Award Suitability

Michael Ato Essuman demonstrates suitability for the Research Excellence Award through sustained contributions to academic teaching, publishing studies research, interdisciplinary scholarship, educational innovation, and institutional service. His work reflects the integration of theoretical inquiry with practical educational application, particularly within publishing studies, design communication, and educational resource development.[13]

His involvement in peer-reviewed publications, academic exhibitions, conference presentations, postgraduate supervision, and educational accreditation initiatives demonstrates scholarly engagement across national and international academic platforms. Furthermore, his commitment to mentoring students and contributing to quality assurance in higher education aligns with the objectives of research recognition and academic excellence promoted by the International Phenomenological Research Awards.[14]

Conclusion

Michael Ato Essuman has established a professional academic profile characterized by interdisciplinary research, educational leadership, publishing innovation, and institutional service. His contributions to publishing studies and educational communication demonstrate sustained engagement with scholarly practice and pedagogical development within Ghana and beyond. Through research publications, exhibitions, curriculum initiatives, conference participation, and supervision activities, he continues to support academic advancement and creative educational practices. His nomination for the Research Excellence Award reflects recognition of these scholarly and professional contributions within the broader international research community.[15]

External Links

• ORCID Profile
• Scopus Author Profile
• Google Scholar Profile

References

1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Michael Ato Essuman, Author ID 57253125500. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57253125500
2. International Phenomenological Research Awards. (2026). Research Excellence Award recognition framework. https://phenomenologicalresearch.com/
3. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. (n.d.). Department of Publishing Studies academic information.
4. Essuman, M. A. (2024). Introduction to Basic Design. etext Publishing Network, Ghana.
5. Essuman, M. A., & Osei-Poku, P. (2015). Evaluation of selected textbooks from Ghanaian primary schools. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 4(6), 310-319.
6. KNUST Department of Publishing Studies. (2025). Records of thesis supervision and academic mentorship activities.
7. Howard, P. M. A., Essuman, M. A., & Asare, T. O. (2019). Strategies for determining production cost and pricing of garments in Ghana. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 10(3), 75-87.
8. Essuman, M. A., Agbo, A. H., & Adom, D. (2022). Essuma: Symbols Reimagined: Bridging Ghana’s Past and Future exhibition documentation.
9. IARTEM International Conference Proceedings. (2024). Facing Climate and Societal Change. University Paris-Cité, France.
10. Google Scholar. (n.d.). Michael Ato Essuman citation profile and scholarly records. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8-lDjW4AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra
11. KNUST Academic Records. (2025). Teaching, supervision, and course delivery documentation.
12. Ghana Tertiary Education Commission. (2024). Programme accreditation and assessment activities involving Dr Michael Ato Essuman.
13. Essuman, M. A. (2024). The “Essuma” Symbols. etext Publishing Network, Ghana.
14. International Conference in Emerging Technology and Interdisciplinary Sciences. (2024). Conference proceedings and presentation abstracts.
15. ORCID. (n.d.). Michael Ato Essuman researcher profile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3309-9161