I joined the International Development department as a Fellow in October 2017. I earn a Ph.D. degree from the University of Manchester in Development Policy and Management. My dissertation examined how the politics of building a developmental state in Ethiopia shaped the citizenship of young people in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

My research interests include: Politics of Development, Urban Politics, African Political Economy, Citizenship, Young people in politics, Youth Employment, Horizontal Inequalities, and Regional Integration in Africa.

I am Convenor for the African Development (DV418) course in the 2020 - 2021 academic year. Previously, I taught African Political Economy (DV435) – convenor for the 2018-2019 academic year and Forced Migration and Refugees (DV462).

*Please note that I will be available for office hour meetings starting from the Lent Term in the current academic year (2020/2021)

Currently I have the following research projects running:

The Political Determinants of Economic Growth in Ethiopia (2004-2018): this research aims to explain how the interplay between different economic actors and the ruling coalition under in Ethiopia contributed and shaped a political settlement that generated accelerated economic growth. The research initiative is supported by Effective States and Inclusive Development (ESID) research centre at the University of Manchester.

Regime types and Young Peoples’ Citizenship Engagement in Selected African Cities: this is an ongoing research project in African cities with two interrelated strands: examining the multiple forms of citizenship by young people and the role of horizontal inequalities in youth political mobilisations. The cities I focused on are Abuja, Accra, Addis Ababa, Dar-es-Salam, Kampala and Lusaka. My research is funded by RIIF, International Development department, LSE. 

Rubbish, Resources and Residues: A project investigating the need for integrated approaches to solid waste management in Ethiopia and Pakistan. This project is based at LSE Cities. I am particularly contributing a political analysis perspective examining the role of actors and institutional frameworks shaping the solid waste management systems particularly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The project is funded by the British Academy.

I studied Sociology and Social Anthropology (BA) at Addis Ababa University, Development Studies (MA -Distinction) at the Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University of Rotterdam and African Studies (MA - Research) at the African Studies Centre, Leiden University. Before joining LSE, I worked as a Teaching Assistant for two years on courses: Development Fundamentals, Politics and Governance of Development, Development Research, and Fieldwork at Global Development Institute (GDI), the University of Manchester. Outside of academia, I have the experience of youth and civil society activism both in Ethiopia and targeting continental decision-making bodies in Africa such as the African Union and Regional Economic Communities.