Leadership
Director
Dr. Babafemi Akinrinade
Dr. Babafemi Akinrinade is a Professor of Human Rights at Fairhaven College at Western Washington University. His teaching and research focus on International Law, International and Regional Human Rights, the Holocaust and Mass Atrocities, Transitional Justice, and the Political and Socio-economic relations of African States. He teaches in the Law, Diversity and Justice Program of Fairhaven College and co-coordinates the World Issues Forum of Fairhaven College. Previously, Dr. Akinrinade taught for the University of Chicago’s Human Rights Program and Center for International Studies (2006-2008) and was a Lecturer in Law at the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (1992-2002).
Dr. Akinrinade was an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellow, Sawyer Seminar on Comparative Truth and Reconciliation Processes, within the Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago (2003-2004). He is the author of Atrocity Crimes, Atrocity Law and Justice in Africa (Eleven International Publishing, 2021) and Human Rights and State Collapse in Africa (Eleven International Publishing, 2009).
Dr. Akinrinade has participated in the 2015 Jack and Anita Hess Faculty Seminar, the 2018 Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust Faculty Seminar, and the 2021 Curt C. and Else Silberman Virtual Seminar for Faculty (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington D.C.), the 2017 Auschwitz Jewish Center Fellows Program (the Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York), and the 2014 Holocaust Educational Foundation’s Summer Institute on the Holocaust and Jewish Civilization (Northwestern University, Evanston, IL).
Contact Dr. Akinrinade
Office location:
Wilson Library 572 by appt.
Fairhaven 337
(360) 650-2893
akinrib@wwu.edu
Mailing address
MS 9118, 516 High Street,
Western Washington University,
Bellingham, WA 98225
Minor Advising Office Hours
By appointment.
Visit Holocaust and Genocide Studies Minor (HGST) or Human Rights Minor
Administrative Assistant
Chrisdee Meder
Chrisdee is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, where community and connection have always been central to her life. Outside of her work at the Ray Wolpow Institute, she enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and children, reading, and keeping up with all the sports/activities her kids do! Her approach to both life and work is grounded in care, respect, and compassion for all individuals. These values guide how she supports the Institute’s work.
Contact Chrisdee
Office location:
Wilson Library 571
(360) 650-6190
riemanh@wwu.edu
Mailing address:
Western Washington University
516 High Street, MS 9182
Bellingham, WA 98225
Student Employee
Hailey Rieman
Hailey is an alumni of WWU with a major in Psychology and a minor in English. She's lived in Bellingham for 7 years and has loved the area. She is thrilled to be a part of the RWI team!
