Yayew currently holds a position as Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. In addition, he is a PhD Candidate in Political Science at Bahir Dar University. He has previously completed a Master of Arts in Political Science, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Civics and Ethical Studies.

Yayew’s PhD project is titled, Ethiopia’s Internal Geopolitics of Conflict: Causes, Consequences, and a Restorative Justice Framework. This project examines the underlying causes of armed conflict in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia and to evaluate the potential of restorative justice principles and practices both customary and formal as effective mechanisms for addressing conflict related harms, promoting reconciliation, and fostering sustainable peace within Ethiopia’s complex geopolitical context.

The support from the Balzan Prize will facilitate data collection in the study areas, providing invaluable contributions to Yayew’s research.