Jonas Ewald

Jonas Ewald is a Senior Lecturer in Peace and Development Studies at Linnaeus University, Sweden. He holds a PhD from the University of Gothenburg (2011) and has held academic roles including Director of the Centre for Africa Studies at Gothenburg University. His research focuses on democratization processes in East Africa, particularly Tanzania and Rwanda, with a focus on political economy, human rights, and natural resource governance. He is actively involved in policy-relevant research on aid effectiveness, conflict management, and sustainable development. Ewald co-leads the Master’s program in Peace and Development Work at Linnaeus University and teaches courses on African political development, international political economy, and evaluation methodologies.

• Education: PhD in Peace and Development Studies (2011), Licentiate in Political Science (1997), both from University of Gothenburg
• Research Themes: East African democratization, resource extraction impacts, post-conflict development, Swedish aid policy

His research bridges academic and policy arenas, with projects funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and EU. Notable contributions include analyses of Tanzania’s decentralization reforms, Rwanda’s post-genocide trajectory, and the role of extractive industries in socio-economic development. He has authored/co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy reports, including monographs on Tanzania’s democratic challenges. Ewald collaborates with African institutions such as the University of Dar es Salaam and the LNU Africa Network. Current research addresses shrinking political spaces in East Africa and innovative aid strategies under restricted contexts.