Featured HRAF Global Scholar: Grace Marceline Kumah

Global Scholars Program

HRAF Global Scholar: Grace Marceline Kumah Grace Marceline Kumah
Title: Course Representative 
University Affiliation: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
Research Topic: Family Life Management Education

HRAF Global Scholar Grace Marceline Kumah is a student in Family Life Management Education at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana. Grace joined the HRAF Global Scholars program for the unique opportunity to enhance both her research capabilities and teaching methodologies. Access to the extensive resources in eHRAF World Cultures has provided Grace with a wealth of ethnographic materials that are instrumental in conducting comparative research on family dynamics across different cultures.

Grace focuses on several key areas:

Cross-Cultural Comparisons:

Grace utilizes eHRAF to explore how various cultures approach family life education, parenting styles, and interpersonal relationships. This comparative analysis enriches her understanding of global family systems and provides insights that could inform local practices.

Data-Driven Insights:

The structured indexing system of eHRAF allows for efficient retrieval of information on specific topics such as human development, family resource management, and societal influences on family structures. By employing quantitative coding methods on qualitative data from eHRAF, Grace tests hypotheses related to family functioning and well-being.

Publication Opportunities:

Grace hopes that the findings from her research could lead to publications in academic journals or presentations at conferences, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge in Family Life Education and showcasing the relevance of cross-cultural studies in addressing local issues.

Curriculum Development:

Collaborating with faculty members, Grace proposes developing course modules that utilize eHRAF materials. These modules could focus on themes such as kinship, marriage practices, and child-rearing across cultures.

Interactive Learning:

Incorporating eHRAF exercises into classroom activities encourages students to engage with real-world data. For example, students analyze case studies from different cultures using comparative tools, fostering critical thinking and cultural sensitivity.

Workshops and Training:

Grace organizes workshops to train fellow students and faculty on how to effectively use eHRAF to enhance their collective research capabilities. These sessions cover advanced search techniques, data analysis methods, and best practices for cross-cultural research.

Community Engagement:

Beyond academia, Grace hopes that the insights gained from using eHRAF can be shared with local communities through outreach programs. By organizing seminars or community discussions based on research findings, Grace aims to empower families with knowledge about diverse family dynamics and strategies for enhancing their well-being. According to Grace, “By leveraging this resource for both research and teaching, I aim to foster a deeper understanding of family life across cultures while promoting the importance of informed practices in Family Life Education.”

Using ethnographic data from eHRAF World Cultures, Grace has examined the Akan clan’s cultural practices, focusing on:

  • Arranged marriages, involving parental involvement and clan considerations
  • Family structures, including extended families and matrilineal descent
  • Polygamy, its prevalence, and social and economic benefits
  • Household dynamics, with compound houses and shared responsibilities
  • Kinship ties, based on clan membership and matrilineal relationships
  • Lineage continuity, emphasizing ancestor reverence and matrilineal lineage

This research provides insights into the social structure, cultural values, and traditions of the Akan.

Additionally, having access to the eHRAF databases has helped Grace’s research in the following ways:

  • Comprehensive cultural data: Access to over 400 cultures and societies worldwide.
  • Efficient searching: Standardized indexing system saves time and increases productivity.
  • In-depth analysis: Detailed descriptions of cultural practices, social structures, and beliefs.
  • Interdisciplinary approach: Suitable for various disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, psychology, and history.
  • Contextual understanding: Examine cultures and societies in their historical and cultural contexts.

Moreover, the eHRAF databases have provided Grace with a rich and nuanced understanding of cultures and societies, enhancing the quality and validity of her research.

HRAF is honored to feature Grace Marceline Kumah as one of our HRAF Global Scholars for 2025. We wish her continued success with her research.

To support funding priorities such as the HRAF Global Scholars program and the development of our open access resources (Explaining Human Culture, Teaching eHRAF, and Introducing Cross-Cultural Research), please consider making a tax-deductible donation.