Daniel is an Assistant Professor of Peace and Security Studies at Wolkite University and a Ph.D. candidate at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University. He holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations and an MA in Peace and Security Studies, both from Addis Ababa University.

Daniel combines academic expertise with professional experience in media and peacebuilding, leading initiatives that connect communities, institutions, and policymakers through dialogue, reconciliation, and communication to foster social cohesion and sustainable peace.

Daniel’s scholarly work is rooted in the study of indigenous mechanisms of peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Ethiopia. His doctoral research examines indigenous inter-ethnic peacebuilding and conflict resolution practices in South-Central Ethiopia. In parallel, Daniel has undertaken research on indigenous restorative justice and its contribution to reconciliation, as well as on the role of education in peacebuilding in post-conflict contexts, including the Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia.

Daniel's research interests extend to indigenous peacebuilding, restorative justice, social cohesion, social capital, conflict resolution, Ethiopian and Horn of Africa politics, and the role of media in shaping peace and conflict dynamics. Daniel’s academic trajectory is guided by a commitment to advancing knowledge on decolonizing peacebuilding and highlighting the value of locally grounded approaches in addressing complex conflicts.

The support of the Balzan Prize will enable Daniel to broaden the scope of his research, engage in comparative analysis with other regions, and contribute to global academic and policy dialogues on peacebuilding, restorative justice, and conflict transformation.