Stephen L. Esquith

Stephen L. Esquith is a Professor at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the Department of Philosophy and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH). He previously served as Dean of RCAH from 2006 to 2011, returning to full-time faculty status to continue research and teaching in Mali and West Africa. His work focuses on ethical issues in global development, peacebuilding, and democratic transitions in post-conflict regions.

Esquith’s research spans democratic political education, mass violence reconciliation, and the role of film in civic engagement. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Mali as a Fulbright scholar, collaborating with institutions like the Université des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines de Bamako. His projects include photovoice initiatives with displaced youth and peace education for refugees in Michigan. Key publications address peacebuilding strategies, human security, and ethical development frameworks.

He teaches courses such as RCAH 202: Peace Building and RCAH 346: Repairs, Reparations, and Responsibilities, integrating global ethical perspectives with practical applications. His current book project, Peacebuilding: Political Education, Power, and Radical Poise, synthesizes decades of fieldwork in Mali.