• Name of the staff: Gashanew Worku Alemayehu 
• Department- Social Work
• Position/Status- Lecturer
• E-mail Address- gashanew@gmail.com/gashanew.worku@bdu.edu.et
• Phone- 251900110276

1. Biography

I am Gashanew Worku, a dedicated social worker, academician, and community advocate, deeply committed to social justice, human rights, and the empowerment of marginalized groups. My journey in social work began with a profound desire to address systemic inequalities and social challenges faced by communities in conflict-affected regions. This passion has driven me to pursue higher education and actively engage in various initiatives aimed at promoting resilience and well-being among vulnerable populations.

I completed my undergraduate studies in social work at Addis Ababa University, graduating with very great distinction. This achievement laid a solid foundation for my career and fueled my determination to further education. I then went on to earn a Master’s degree in social work from Bahir Dar University, where I focused on reaching and supporting people in need.

Currently, I am a lecturer of social work at Bahir Dar University. In this role, I educate and inspire students, while actively engaging in providing mental health and psychosocial support to communities affected by war and conflicts. My work extends beyond the classroom, as I am deeply involved in resource mobilization, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts aimed at creating resilient communities. My efforts are particularly focused on addressing the needs of internally displaced persons, women, children, and other vulnerable groups who are often disproportionately affected by conflict and social upheaval.

One of my significant contributions is my involvement projects in conflict and war-affected communities, making a tangible difference in the lives of those most affected by violence and instability. I was also actively engaged in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. I actively engage in providing trainings for youth that promote creativity, emotional resilience, and entrepreneurial skills of young people, empowering them to become active and productive members of their communities. 

My professional roles are diverse and impactful. As a mental health and psychosocial expert and a life skills trainer, I offer essential services and training to those in need especially in conflict and war-affected areas. My role as an employability and psychosocial trainer further extends an impact, equipping individuals with the skills needed for personal and professional development. I am also mediation and arbitration trainer, assisting families, individuals, and communities in resolving conflicts. 

• Awards and Honors
• Teaching Experience:
• Lecturer, Bahir Dar University (2021-
• Lecturer, Jimma University (2020-21)
• Assistant lecturer, Jimma University, (2017-20)
• Jimma University, Graduate assistant II (2016-17)

Research interests: 

Intergenerational resilience; Migration and refugee studies; War and conflicts and its psychological toll on vulnerable populations; Youth in armed  conflicts: Weaponized sexual violence on women; Social welfare and protection policies: Women and children during conflicts; Public policies and their impact on sustainability: Protection of civilians and the dead during conflicts: Social work practice in war and conflicts: Humanitarian responses and their implication for sustainable development and post-war development-oriented approach

Research projects since joining BDU

• Youth in armed conflicts: Mental health, educational disruptions, coping strategies, and intervention mechanisms in Amhara region (PI)
• Achieving integrated community development through Participatory action research and Asset-based community development approaches in Bahir Dar, Belay Zeleke sub-city, Ethiopia (COI)
• HOPE: School-based Mental Health and Psychosocial support for students and teachers in war-affected areas in Amhara region (COI)
• The Big Powers Involvement in the Horn of Africa and Its Implication on the Geopolitics, Geostrategic, and National Security of Ethiopia (COI)