Michael Conteh

Dr. Michael Conteh holds a Ph.D. in Global Affairs from Rutgers University's Graduate School in Newark. His research focuses on the critical role of higher education institutions as anchors in their host cities and these institutions' community engagement strategies, emphasizing their inherent value in local development and urban revitalization. Prior to his doctoral studies, Dr. Conteh worked for the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM), a leading management development institute, in Windhoek, Namibia. As Director of Research and Consultancy, he spearheaded initiatives in public sector management, capacity building, gender-based violence, and human trafficking, demonstrating his multifaceted and interdisciplinary expertise. His research interests are impressively broad, focusing on restorative justice practices and reparative frameworks, higher education institutions and their host cities. His comparative analysis of universities as anchor institutions in their respective cities demonstrates his dedication to global academic progress and community engagement strategies.

Publications:

• Working on my translation for Krio to English on the Quilting Water Project

• Working on a Manuscript on universities and their Cities to be published in the CUMU journal

Media Appearances/Speaking Engagements:

• Presented at the Coalition of Urban Metropolitan Universities annual Conference , 15 - 18 ) October, 2023.

Previous Organizations: 

• Crafting Democratic Futures Office of the Chancellor, Rutgers Newark

• Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM)

• University of Namibia, Gender Training and Research Program

Accomplishments:

• Listee in the Marquis Who's Who in America Publication Board: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/498373/michael-linso-lawrence-conteh-celebrated-for-dedication-to-the-field-of-research-and-teaching

Upcoming Projects:

• Engaging with the Camden community in the Spring Semester

• Teaching a Course on Global Urbanization

I have a personal commitment to social and racial justice, which is reflected in my professional work. For example, my work on reparations entails engaging with communities affected by injustice. During these community dialogues, the importance of listening to and amplifying the voices of those who have been historically marginalized is critical to their healing and repairing the harm. My role also includes providing educational information on topics such as social and racial justice, as well as teaching courses that incorporate these issues into the curriculum. This can include historical context, current debates, and reparation perspectives. By providing well-researched and balanced information, I contribute to a better understanding of these issues.

"Just Takes" is an Op-Ed/thought piece/writing initiative at the Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice. Affiliated-faculty and Rutgers Researchers on Race can submit pieces of writing of 500 words or less pitched to orient their research towards a more public audience and/or as relevant for a current issue in the broad area of global racial justice. 

See Dr. Conteh's "Just Take" here: https://globalracialjustice.rutgers.edu/Just-Takes