Lahra Smith is a Political Scientist with a particular interest in African politics. She teaches a variety of courses, including African Politics & Government, Peace and Conflict in East Africa and Civil Society & Democracy in Africa. Her recent research focused on the role of political institutions in addressing conflict based largely on ethnic and language identities in Ethiopia. In addition to study in Ethiopia, Prof. Smith has worked and studied in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti and Zimbabwe. Previously, she worked for USAID in Nairobi, Kenya and Oxfam America, and she served as an election observer in Ethiopia (The Carter Center) and Kenya (USAID/US Embassy).