Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes

Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes is the Director of the Centre for Human Rights Education, Curtin University (Australia). He is a multidisciplinary researcher and award-winning writer. Drawing from the history, philosophy and experiences of marginalised people and diverse communities, Yirga contributes critical insights for reimagining the future and addressing epistemic and racial injustices. His research covers critical development studies, linguistic human rights, African and Ethiopian knowledge traditions, education policy and human rights, and belonging within the diaspora in Australia. He has won university and industry awards for his teaching, research, and creative writing. His publications include the sole authored book Native Colonialism: Education and the Economy of Violence Against Traditions in Ethiopia (New Jersey: The Red Sea Press, 2017) and co-edited book (with Offord, Fleay, Hartley and Chan) Activating Cultural and Social Change: The Pedagogies of Human Rights (London: Routledge, 2022). In 2024, Yirga won the prestigious Hungerford Award for his forthcoming book የተስፋ ፈተና/Trials of Hope (Fremantle Press, 2025-26).