About
Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh
Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh is a global scholar, thought leader, and public intellectual in human rights, peace, and governance. He is the Senator William McMaster Chair in Global Human Rights, Professor of History and Peace Studies at McMaster University, Canada.
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and UN Expert-Rapporteur on the Right to Development, he brings over three decades of experience bridging research, policy, and practice. He is the founding Director of the McMaster Centre for Human Rights and Restorative Justice and leads major international projects such as Confronting Atrocity and Participedia.
Expertise
Human Rights and the Right to Development
Global standards, African perspectives, and UN policy leadership.
Peace and Conflict Studies
Post-conflict reconciliation, peacebuilding, and restorative justice.
Transitional Justice
Truth commissions and comparative approaches to accountability and healing.
Democratic Innovations
Global cases of citizen participation and inclusive governance through Participedia.
African History and Politics
Colonial legacies, anti-colonial struggles, and contemporary state-building.
Research
Flagship Research Initiatives
- ParticipediaA global crowdsourced database of democratic innovations with over 3,000 cases.
- Confronting AtrocityA study of truth commissions in more than 40 countries.
- UN Right to Development StudiesThematic reports on inequality, climate justice, and social protection.
These initiatives shape international policy and provide practical tools for governments, NGOs, and civil society.
Most of the publications listed are also available on Google Scholar, ResearchGate and Academia.edu
Book Cover
Imperial Justice
Africans in Empire's Court
Africa and its Diaspora
Rethinking Struggles for Recognition and Empowerment
Human Rights in Africa
new approaches to African history
Documentation from Truth and Reconciliation Commissions
Truth Commission and State Building
Narrating Transitional Justice
Memory in the Age of Truth and Reconciliation
Speaking
Public Speaking
Known for engaging, insightful presentations, Dr. Ibhawoh speaks at universities, international forums, and policy dialogues worldwide. His talks address:
- Human rights in a changing world
- Truth and reconciliation lessons
- The Right to Development and the SDGs
- Peace, justice, and global order
Recent engagements include a keynote at the UN Working Group on the Right to Development (2025) and lectures at Carleton University and the University of Texas.
Consulting
Dr. Ibhawoh provides expert advice to UN agencies, NGOs, governments, and cultural institutions. Past clients include:
- UNDP and UNODC
- African Union and Lake Chad Basin Commission
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Shell Petroleum Development Company (Nigeria)
- Amnesty International
Archives available upon request.
Let's Connect
Reach out to discuss collaborations, consulting projects, or speaking opportunities.
- ibhawoh@mcmaster.ca
- Based In
- Hamilton, Ontario
- Response Time
- Within 2–3 business days
Send a message
For research collaborations, consulting, or speaking engagements, please use the contact form.