Michelle Bellino

Michele Bellino is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Education, specializing in education's role in youth civic development amid conflict and displacement. She holds affiliations with the Donia Human Rights Center, African Studies Center, and Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Her work examines how violence, peace processes, and historical injustices shape youth participation in schools and society.

Education:

• Ed.D., Culture, Communities, and Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education (2014)
• M.Ed., Risk and Prevention, Harvard Graduate School of Education (2010)
• M.A., Cultural Anthropology, University at Buffalo (2007)
• B.A., English, Cornell University (2002)

Research Focus: Dr. Bellino investigates transitional justice mechanisms (e.g., truth commissions), refugee education systems, and youth civic identity formation in postwar contexts like Guatemala and Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. She employs ethnography and youth participatory action research to explore how historical memory and educational policies influence youth agency.

Recent Work Trends: Her publications emphasize refugee education challenges, the intersection of education and transitional justice, and youth agency in displacement. Key themes include structural inequality, border policies, and participatory research methodologies in crisis contexts.

Awards:

• Council of Anthropology and Education’s Outstanding Book Award (2018) for "Youth in Postwar Guatemala"
• Peace Scholar designation from the United States Institute of Peace
• Spencer Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship

Grants & Advising: Co-PI on a BAICE-funded project analyzing truth commissions' educational roles. Advises on global citizenship education initiatives and refugee policy. Collaborates with Kakuma Youth Research Team on participatory projects.

Labs/Teams: Leads research clusters on education and transitional justice, and participates in the Center for Emerging Democracies steering committee.