Bakgrunn og erfaring
Solomon Kebede is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global Development and Planning.
His PhD research investigated the professional practices and role perceptions of Ethiopian journalists working for international public broadcasters and exile based media outlets. Through qualitative interviews, observation, and document analysis, the study explored how journalists produce and disseminate content for homeland audiences from newsrooms and host countries in the West, often in multiple Ethiopian languages.
Solomon holds master’s degrees from Ethiopia and Norway. His first thesis analysed environmental communication and audience engagement in Ethiopian radio. His second, in Global Journalism at NLA University College, examined the work of young exiled Ethiopian journalists running internet-based media targeting audiences in Ethiopia.
In Norway, Solomon has worked at the Centre for International Health (University of Bergen), producing news and feature articles on CIH’s research activities and contributing to audiovisual communication projects.
Ansvarsområder
He has also served as programme leader for the Master’s in Global Development, Crisis and Change. He holds a PhD in Global Development and Planning (2025), and his academic work connects media studies, journalism, and global development, with a strong empirical focus on Ethiopia and Africa.
Alongside his research, Solomon teaches in the areas of media studies, political and strategic communication, and global development.
Undervisning
Courses taught:
- SV-212: Communication, Media and Planning
- UT-300: Critical Perspectives and Current Debates in Global Development
- SV-407: Strategic Communication in Social Development
- ME-433: Field Course in Global Development (Sri Lanka)
Forskning
His research examines media systems, diaspora journalism, political communication, democratisation in transitional contexts, media and conflict, journalists in exile, international public broadcasting, role perception, and debates on de-westernisation. He combines scholarly inquiry with more than two decades of professional experience in journalism and media production in Ethiopia, including work with CNN Inside Africa and international development organisations.