SEIU Local 721
Nneka Eke, Ph.D., currently serves as a Research Associate at SEIU Local 721 since April 2022. Prior to this, Eke spent nearly nine years at Syracuse University, where roles included Managing Editor of the International Politics journal, overseeing the peer review process, and as a Doctoral Researcher, focusing on women's labor in the Niger Delta's oil political economy. Eke's research addressed the relationship between oil and women's labor through significant fieldwork and scholarly analysis, culminating in a theory of capitalist patriarchy. In addition to research, Eke taught courses in Black feminist politics and political theory, managed undergraduate courses, and provided mentorship to new Teaching Assistants on diversity and inclusion in academic settings. Eke holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics from Syracuse University and dual Bachelor's degrees in International Relations and Africana Studies from The Johns Hopkins University.
SEIU Local 721
SEIU Local 721 is a dynamic, fast-growing organization recognized as one of the largest and strongest unions of publicly-funded employees in the nation. We are on the forefront of local politics, defending public services in the face of budget challenges, and we are key players in national reform efforts. We have more than 200 staff members covering six counties in Southern California, and we are on the front lines of holding government accountable, ensuring efficiency, tackling waste, and improving services. Our more than 80,000 members provide critical public services in diverse fields, including health care, social services, special districts, private non-profits, libraries, courts, parks and recreation, public works and mental health in cities and counties throughout Southern California.