Ken Menkhaus is the C. Louise Nelson Professor of Political Science at Davidson College. He specialises in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, focusing on development, conflict analysis, humanitarian response and state building. His work spans academic research and policy advising with organisations such as the US government, the United Nations, the World Bank and international NGOs. Ken has been a regular director of the RVI Horn of Africa course since 2008 and serves on the RVI Board of Trustees.