Zerihun Kinate

Zerihun A. Kinate is PhD student in political science and public policy at the University of Toronto. He’s planning to pursue a collaborative specialization with the Harney Program in Ethnic, Immigration and Pluralism Studies. His research focuses on the political economy of conflicts, political violence and political settlement, collective action, nation building and the state, peace building, post conflict reconstruction, humanitarianism and international development, the politics of knowledge production and policy making in the global south, the intersection of geopolitics, policy and external involvement, and political development in countries of the Horn of Africa.

Zerihun holds a masters degree in peace and conflict studies from the University of Waterloo. Zerihun also researches and engages in social justice and policy advocacy projects in relation to forced migration, immigration policy and multiculturalism and the role of diaspora and transnational communities in Canada. He also took master’s degree courses in international relations in Kyoto, Japan. Zerihun completed his B.A. in political science and international relations from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. 

Zerihun has received several awards. He is the recipient of the 2021 Vick and Krueger Family PACS Award at the University of Waterloo for demonstrating commitment to the ideals of the peace and conflict studies, as well as the African Business Initiative (ABE) Scholarship from the Japanese government, 2015.  He has also been awarded for young African policy, academic and industry leaders that shape policies and institutions in Africa for a master’s degree and internship program. Zerihun is the recipient of the 2023 Recognition of Academic Excellence Award from the Black and Indigenous Research Network at the University of Toronto.