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Abdi Samatar

612-625-6080
Geography 368 Soc Sci

Department Affiliations

Narrative

My research focuses on the relationship between democracy and development in the Third World in general and Africa in particular. At the moment, I am looking at the the link between democratic leadership, public institutions, and development in East and South Africa. Other themes in my research include Islam, social capital and ethnicity in the Horn of Africa, and environment and development. Finally, a general thread in my research is how national public institutions enable people in develping countries tap opportunity in the global capitalist economy and avoid its cruel traps.


Specialties

  • development theory and the state
  • capitalist development
  • environment and development
  • political economy
  • agrarian change
  • Ethnic politics
  • East and Southern Africa
  • Third World
  • Islamic world
  • Botswana
  • Somalia
  • Ethiopia

Educational Background

  • Ph.D.: University of California, Berkeley, CA, 1985.
  • MCRP: Urban/Regional Planning, Iowa State University, 1981.
  • A.B.: University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, 1979.

Publications

  • The African State: Reconsideration. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, Ahmed Samatar, Co-Editor, 2002.
  • An African Miracle: State and Class Leadership and Colonial Legacy in Botswana. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, Heinemann, 1999.
  • Debating Somali Identity in a British Tribunal: The BBC Somali Service. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, Author, 2007.
  • The Islamic Courts and the Mogadishu Miracle: What comes Next for Somalia: Samatar, Abdi Ismail, Review of African political Economy, Fall 2006 .
  • The Ethiopian Election of 2005: A Bombshell & Turning Point: Samatar, Abdi Ismail, Review of African Political Economy, 104/5 , 2005.
  • Ethiopian Federalism: Autonomy versus Control in the Somali Region. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, Author, 2004.
  • Editoral of Somali Reconciliation. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, Ahmed Samatar, 2003.
  • Somalis as Africa's First Democrats. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, Ahmed Samatar, 2002.
  • Local Initiatives and Somali Reconstruction. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, 2001.
  • Social Transformation and Islamic Reinterpretation in Northern Somalia: The Women's Mosque in Gabiley. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, 2000.
  • Ethnicity and leadership in the making of African state models: Botswana versus Somalia. Samatar, Abdi Ismail, 1997.

Professional Activities

  • Interim-Chair, Department of Geography, Spring 2007
  • Director of Graduate Studies: 2005
  • Editorial Board, African Geographic Review Journal
  • Editorial Board, Bildan: Somali Studies Journal
  • Member, Board of Directors of African Studies Association: 2002 - 2004
  • Committee member, MacArthur Compton Fellowships
  • Graduate Education Policy

Outreach Activities

  • Al Jazeera, Interview: April 9, 2007
  • Al Jazeera, interview: July 9, 2006
  • PBS/NewsHour, Interview: Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts and the USA, May 6, 2006
  • BBC, Interview, June 7, 2006: Developments in Somalia
  • Radio France International, Interview: Union of Islamic Court/Somalia/Terrorism, May 5, 2006
  • Australian Broadcasting Service, Interview: Somalia, Islam, and Terrorism, June 19, 2006
  • TV Channel 5: Interview: October 2002
  • Voice of America. TV Journal on Africa. Interview.: September 13, 2002
  • Somali TV Minneapolis. Interview: Eldoret Reconciliation Conference: November 17, 2002
  • BBC Somali Service. Interview: History of Reconciliation in Somalia: June 28, 2002
  • Chair, Harmonization Committee of the Somali Charter: Somali Reconciliation - Independent Committee, Spring 2003

Awards

  • University of Minnesota Outstanding Community Service Award, 2004
  • Finalist, Herskovits Award of the African Studies Association for "An African Miracle.", 2000
  • Fulbright Scholar Award, 1993/4 and 1999
  • Design Achievement Award in recognition for substantial contribution to the field of Community and Regional Planning, Iowa State University, October 20, 2000
  • Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Teaching and Leadership in Community-University Collaboration, University of Minnesota, 1997
  • Collegiate Teaching Award, University of Iowa 1989-90

Courses Taught

  • Geog 3145 - Geography of the Islamic World
  • Geog 3358 - Southern Africa: Beyond Apartheid
  • Geog 3379 - Environment and Development in the Third World
  • Geog 5385 - Globalization and Development: A Political Economy Approach
  • 8302 - Research Development
  • Geog 8336 - Development theory & the State
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