PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Omo Valley Research Project was established in 2019 and draws on the combined 15+ years of experience conducting research in Southwest Ethiopia by co-directors Dr. Luke Glowacki and Dr. Zachary Garfield. Glowacki began working with pastoralists in the Omo in 2009 and Garfield with forager-horticulturalists in the Sheka forest in 2015. Through the OVRP Glowacki and Garfield established new field sites among distinct populations across the region and developed infrastructure to collect cross-cultural and longitudinal data. The OVRP integrates empirical and ethnographic field data from distinct ethnolinguistic groups across the Omo Valley.
OVRP NONPROFIT
The Omo Valley Research Project is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization. We work to advance scientific research, training, and education about the peoples and cultures of Southwest Ethiopia and to make philanthropic contributions to the health, education, and development opportunities across the region.
Contact us and see below for more information.
AFFILIATIONS
The OVRP maintains affiliations with several institutions in Ethiopia.
SOUTH OMO RESEARCH CENTER
The South Omo Research Center (SORC) was established with the objective to undertake basic and applied research, maintain an ethnographic museum, and promote intercultural understanding. SORC is located in Jinka, the capital of South Omo Zone and it is managed by Arba Minch University.
HAWASSA UNIVERSITY
Hawassa University (HU) is a residential national university in Hawassa, Sidama Region, Ethiopia which offers 81 undergraduate programs, 108 Masters programs, and 16 Ph.D. programs. In March 2018, the student population was 48,558. HU is also home to the largest anthropology department in the country.
ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY
Arba Minch University is a residential national university in Arba Minch, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Established in 1986 the university has a student body of approximately 40,000 individuals and offers 74 undergraduate programs, 83 graduate programs, and 13 Ph.D. programs.
TURMI HEALTH CENTER
The Turmi Health Center provides medical services for residents in the South Omo Zone and facilitates multiple health and development projects.
