Dr. Awet Weldemichael

Biography

Awet T. Weldemichael is a Professor and Queen's National Scholar in the Department of History at Queen's University. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Los Angeles, an M.A. in African Studies, and a B.A. from the University of Asmara in Eritrea, as well as a LL.M. in Public International Law from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. His academic work revolves around African World History, addressing themes of colonialism, decolonization, revolutions, nationalist movements, and peace and conflict studies, particularly focusing on the Horn of Africa and island Southeast Asia. Recently, he has concentrated on the political economy of conflict in the Horn of Africa and its adjacent waters, examining the root causes and dynamics of piracy in Somalia through interviews with pirates. His scholarly contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2019 International Association for the Study of Organized Crime award for his work on organized crime. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Canada, within the College of New Scholars.

Research Interests