Robel Afeworki Abay

Prof. Dr. Robel Afeworki Abay is a Visiting Professor at the Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin, specializing in Disability Studies and participatory approaches in Social and Health Sciences. His work critically examines intersections of racism, ableism, and coloniality, emphasizing decolonial methodologies and intersectional justice. He holds a PhD from Humboldt University Berlin, with prior academic roles at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich and Western Sydney University.

Education:

• PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences (2019–2023), Humboldt University Berlin
• M.A. in Social Work (2017–2020), University of Kassel
• B.A. in Sociology & Political Science (2007–2010), Addis Ababa University

Research Interests: Robel’s work focuses on Intersectional Disability Justice, Decolonial Methodologies, and Postcolonial Theory. He investigates how systems of power (racism, ableism, colonialism) intersect to marginalize disabled BIPoC communities globally. His participatory research emphasizes ethical engagement with marginalized groups and challenges Eurocentric knowledge systems.

Key Projects:

• AdiCoBe: A project addressing structural barriers faced by Black African残疾人 in Germany.
• GLOHRA: Addresses decolonizing global health research in Germany.
• Funded by the Queen’s University Fellowship (2026) and the Hans-Böckler Foundation (2023–2024).

Labs/Networks: Co-founder of the Intersectional Disability Justice Network (IDJ), affiliated with the German Society for Social Work (DGSA), and part of the Migration and Social Transformation Network (MSTN).