Woldemariam Named Director of African Studies Center
Professor Michael Woldemariam has been named the next Director of the African Studies Center (ASC) – an affiliate center of the Pardee School of Global Studies – starting his term in July 2021. He succeeds Professor Fallou Ngom who steps down in 2020 after having held the position since 2017. Professor Timothy Longman, former Director of the ASC (2009-17) will serve as Interim Director until Woldemariam’s term begins.
“I am elated to be taking on this role,” said Woldemariam, when asked about his appointment. “The ASC has a long tradition as a leader in the field of the African Studies, and I hope to build on the strong work of my predecessors. The future of African Studies at BU is bright.”
Professor Michael Woldemariam’s teaching and research focus is on African security studies, with a particular emphasis on armed conflict in the Horn of Africa. Woldemariam’s scholarly work has been published in the journals Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, Terrorism and Political Violence, Journal of Strategic Studies, and the Journal of Eastern African Studies. His book, Insurgent Fragmentation in the Horn of Africa: Rebellion and Its Discontents, was published with Cambridge University Press in 2018. In addition to his scholarly work, Woldemariam has consulted with a wide variety of international organizations, primarily on issues related to politics, governance, and security in the Greater Horn of Africa region. Learn more about him here.
In making the announcement, Dean Adil Najam of the Pardee School said “I greatly look forward to working with Mike in this important leadership position. He represents a new generation of scholars on Africa and will build upon the rich and storied legacy of the ASC which is amongst the country’s oldest and most respected institutions for the study of the continent and a convening home for our proud and deeply rooted community of Africa-focused scholarship across all of Boston University.”
Former ASC Director Professor Timothy Longman, who will also serve as the Center’s Director Ad Interim during AY 2020-21, added, “Woldemariam has undertaken important research on the Horn of Africa, particularly on rebel movements and on issues related to state partition. As a young, recently tenured scholar, he’ll help bring new energy and fresh ideas to the ASC. I look forward to helping prepare for his leadership by serving in an interim role for the coming year while he completes a fellowship in Washington D.C.”
Outgoing ASC Director Professor Fallou Ngom said, “It has been an honor to serve as ASC Director the past three years. With a dedicated staff and colleagues, we have expanded the national and global stature of the center as a leading place for Africa-focused teaching and research. I am very pleased that our colleague, Professor Michael Woldemariam, has accepted to take the helms of the center. I wish him all the best as he leads the center to new heights.”
Dean Najam praised the many contributions of the outgoing Director, Professor Fallou Ngom and thanked him for “his wise leadership, strength of character, and unrelenting dedication to the Center.” He added that, “it has been an absolute professional and personal pleasure to have worked closely with him during his time as Director.” Najam also thanked Professor Timothy Longman “for stepping up and agreeing to serve as Interim Director despite his many other responsibilities. With his past experience of leading the Center, I’m confident it will remain well cared for and continue to move upwards and onwards.”