Researchers
Prof. Lynn Schler
Lynn Schler is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics and Government and the Head of the Inter-University Program in African Studies. Lynn’s research examines the intersections between African societies and cultures and western colonial and postcolonial interventions in Africa.
Research interests: Social and cultural history of Africa, colonialism and postcolonialism, nationalism in Africa, development, urban history
Contact: lynnsch@bgu.ac.il
Prof. Ruth Ginio
In recent years, Ruth’s research has focused on African soldiers serving in the French army during the colonial period. Her current research deals with murder investigations in colonial Senegal from the end of the 19th century to the 1920s.
Research interests: French colonialism in Africa, African soldiers in the French Army
Contact: rginio@bgu.ac.il
Dr. Anat Rosenthal
Since joining the Tamar Golan Africa Centre in March 2015, Anat has been working on finalizing a book manuscript on HIV treatment programs in Malawi, and publishing three additional articles on HIV and pediatric health care in Malawi and other low-resource environments. In addition, she is leading the new collaboration between Ben-Gurion University and Africa University in Zimbabwe.
Research interests: Social and cultural effects of epidemics and infectious diseases, healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings
Contact: anatros@bgu.ac.il
Dr. Leonardo Cohen-Shabot
During the last academic year, Leonardo Cohen continued his research on the history of the Horn of Africa as well as on the history of the Society of Jesus. His new research seeks to deepen our knowledge of the development of Afro- Marxist currents of thought that emerged in the second half of the twentieth century.
Research interests: Ethiopia during the 16th-17th centuries, the missionary strategies of the Jesuits in Ethiopia
Contact: leocohen2000@gmail.com
Dr. Guy Roufe
Guy’s current research focuses on translation and academic editing of four Portuguese ethnographic descriptions from the last decade of the eighteenth century. These texts describe the political structures and cosmological worldview of the various ethnic groups in the regions of southeastern Africa where the Portuguese presence was significant.
Research interests: Pre-Colonial history of South-East Africa, Portuguese colonialism in Africa
Contact: roufe@bgu.ac.il
Dr. Ornit Avidar
Ornit Avidar is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Politics and Government in the African Studies track at Ben-Gurion University. Her research aims to examine the reasons behind unsustainability of water-related projects in Africa. Her analysis will be via systems thinking theory and from the perspective of rural communities who are the recipients and beneficiaries of water projects.
Research interests: Water accessibility, development in Africa
Contact: ornit@water-ws.com
Dr. David Goss
David’s current research focuses on the invention of a chair: “Tradition in Ethiopia: the Aksum Chair.” This research looks at the production of furniture in contemporary workshops in Addis Ababa and Aksum that have created a “new tradition” in Ethiopian chair design – the Aksum chair.
Research interests: Arts and design
Contact: dgoss@bgu.ac.il
Dr. Yael Abessira
Yael’s research deals with the history of Africa in the field of international development and poverty, past, present and future. Her current research explores the following questions; how does international development work? Why does it fail or succeed? And particularly, how do Africans perceive development?
Research interests: African development philosophy, urban development in Africa
Contact: yaelabessira@gmail.com
Dr. Anita Nudelman
Anita Nudelman is an Applied Medical Anthropologist, with a vast experience in qualitative research and program development on issues related to sexual health and AIDS prevention in Israel and Africa.
Research interests: Applied Medical Anthropology
Contact: anitanudelman@hotmail.com
Dr. Avishai Ben-Dror
Avishai’s current research deals with the historical examination of late 19th century colonial interactions between Muslim communities in the Horn of Africa. In addition, Avishai examines the role played by the Egyptian occupiers in the Nile Basin and the Somali coast during the latter part of the 19th century.
Research interests: Muslim societies in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa
Contact: avishai@openu.ac.il
Dr. Miri Stryjan
Miri is an economist who uses quantitative methods and field experiments to study the sustainability and effectiveness of development programs. She is currently engaged in projects about microfinance, small business growth and leadership election in saving groups. She also studies civilian participation in violent conflict. Geographically, her research to date is focused on East Africa.
Research interests: economic development, microfinance, local decision making in development programs, impact evaluation, conflict.
Contact: miristry@bgu.ac.il