Dr. Gashaye Melaku Tefera is an assistant professor focusing on underserved populations, including women, immigrants, refugees, indigenous people and older adults. His research primarily focuses on healthcare access and disparities in disadvantaged communities and emphasizes decolonization, indigenization and culturally relevant practice. His international social work experiences and perspectives expand across three continents, Africa, Europe and North America. 

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Health Disparities
• Access to Healthcare
• Social Justice
• Immigrant Health and Well-being
• Older Adults and Disadvantaged Populations

EDUCATION

• PhD, 2023, University of Missouri, Social Work
• MA, 2018, University of Lincoln/Aalborg University/University of Lisbon/University of Warsaw/University of Paris, Advanced Development in Social Work
• MSW, 2010, Addis Ababa University, Social Work,
• BA, University of Gondar, Sociology

SELECTED PEER REVIEW ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

Tefera, G.M., Onyeaka, K., Conteh, N., David, I., Kehinde, O., Harvey, I.S. & Majee, W. (2023). COVID-19 and student life: Experiences and Perceptions of African international students – an Ubuntu and resilience perspective. Journal of International Students.

Tefera, G.M. (2022). Toward culturally relevant practice: Combating gender-based violence among refugees in Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work. 1-12

Tefera, G.M. & Yu, M. (2022). Immigrant women’s access to healthcare services: A qualitative meta-synthesis. Journal of Social Service Research.

Tefera, G.M. (2022). Decolonizing social work practice: A case from Ethiopian refugee settings. Journal of Social Service Research. 1-12.