Peter Chonka completed his PhD at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre of African Studies in 2017. His doctoral research focused on transnational Somali-language media networks and their impact on the cultural politics of state reconstruction in the Horn of Africa. As an interdisciplinary scholar, Peter has subsequently published his research across various fields, exploring how digital technologies and new media platforms affect political reconstruction, civil society activism, mobility and conflict in so-called ‘fragile’ states. His recent research has focused on the political economy of digital finance in the Horn of Africa, as well as the emerging implications of (generative) AI in Somali-language digital publics. Prior to his doctoral research Peter worked in the humanitarian sector as an interpreter for the International Committee of the Red Cross, primarily in places of detention across Somalia.

Research interests & PhD supervision

• Digital media and political communication
• AI and African languages
• Conflict and state-building
• Migration and mobility
• Development/humanitarian communications and digital innovation

Teaching

Peter is the co-convener of the Department’s MA Digital Culture and Society course. He also convenes MA Mobility, Culture and Digital Media module that explores intersections between migration, diaspora communities, and communication technologies. He also designed, and now convenes, a BA module on Development and Humanitarianism in a Digital Age.

Expertise and public engagement

Peter frequently provides reports for immigration cases related to Somalia and engages with refugee advocacy and humanitarian groups on issues related to his research. He is a Fellow of the Rift Valley Institute and has taught on and co-directed the organisation’s annual Horn of Africa course. He regularly presents his research to public and policy-making audiences in the Horn of Africa and the UK. Peter is an active fellow of Somali Public Agenda, a local non-profit institute that works to advance governance and public service delivery in Somalia.

For more details, see Peter's personal website.