Department of Government and Justice Studies

Dr. Peter Onah Thompson joined the Department of Government and Justice Studies in 2022 as an Assistant Professor. He earned a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His research and teaching expertise are African Politics, forced displacement, development, climate change, and violent conflicts (including climate change-induced conflicts). Because of his passion and thematic expertise in these areas, he has been involved in high-level research supported by both the U.S. Army Research Office and the National Science Foundation. One of these is his doctoral dissertation: “Three essays on conflict and migration: experimental evidence from Nigeria” which examines how war-related induced mental health stressors impact the decision-making process of those forcefully displaced by violent conflicts.

Besides academia, Dr. Thompson is a consultant researcher for some INGO projects. Peter’s love for education is not limited to research and teaching alone but is a driver of collaboration and engagement among international students. His effort in this venture was noticed and he was a recipient of the 2015 Appalachian Global Leadership awards. Currently, he is a trustee of the UK-based EdFord project that seeks to use education as a tool to reduce inequality in Africa.

Areas of Expertise & Interest:
• African Politics
• Environmental Politics
• Violence and Migration

Education:
• Ph.D. (2022) Public Policy, UNC Charlotte
• M.A. (2015) Political Science, Appalachian State University
• MIAD. (2008) International Affairs and Diplomacy, Ahmadu Bello University

Courses Taught:

• Undergraduate Courses:

  • Global Environmental Crisis and Migration

  • Political Science Methods

• Graduate Courses:

  • Ecojustice Leadership Academy