Temesgen Degu

Mr Temesgen is a senior academic, researcher, and legal practitioner with over a decade of experience in teaching and research. As a Lecturer in Law—most recently at Wachemo University—he has taught and conducted research in refugee law, human rights law, law and development, environmental law, and international law, resulting in more than ten academic publications. He has also served as Research Coordinator, Secretary of the Law School Research Review Committee, and a member of the Institutional Review Board at Wachemo University. In addition, he founded the Wachemo University Environment and Natural Resources Law, Policy, and Science Centre. Alongside his academic roles, he had been a volunteer at the Wachemo University Law School Free Legal Aid Centre. Besides, he was a licensed advocate and legal practitioner. 

Currently a PhD student, Mr Temesgen’s research focuses on climate-induced displacement and (im)mobility, with particular attention to East Africa. He is an active member of the University of Exeter’s Routes: Migration, Mobility, Displacement network and the Internal Displacement Working Group at the Refugee Law Initiative of the University of London.

Mr Temesgen holds an LLM from the University of Warwick, a Russell Group and top-10 UK university. He was awarded the joint Warwick–Mekelle Universities LLM Scholarship (2011–2013) and completed his master’s dissertation on climate change assistance. He earned his LLB from Jimma University in 2008, graduating in the top two of his class. His undergraduate dissertation on state responsibility for climate change under international law received a certificate of appreciation for best undergraduate research.