Solomon Hailemariam, PhD, is an Ethiopian-born writer, translator, journalist, and academic based in Toronto. The founder and former president of PEN Ethiopia, he has also served as the country director for Panos Ethiopia and taught at Addis Ababa University and New Generation University College.
Dr. Solomon earned his doctorate from the University of the Western Cape and holds degrees from Addis Ababa University. His advanced training includes human rights coursework at the Venice Academy of Human Rights and Åbo Akademi University, supplemented by international professional development across Germany, Australia, Switzerland, and South Africa (at the University of South Africa).
An accomplished author in both academic and creative spheres, his recent publications include the political study Ethiopian Elites’ Political Cultures: A Critical Juncture (The Cases of Amhara, Oromo, and Tigray) (2025) and the Amharic fantasy novel Hewan Bemenab (Fantasying the Universe), published in 2026.
His acclaimed fiction includes The Young Crusader, which won the inaugural Burt Award for African Literature, and the short story "None of Your Business." Published by Akashic Books in 2020, "None of Your Business" was also featured in the German literary journal Die Horen and broadcast on the radio station SWR2. His stories "The Priest and His Son," "Once the Climax is Over," and "The Search" were featured in the Anthology of the Best Literature series from 2016 to 2018.
Dr. Solomon’s journalism and commentary on Ethiopian politics have appeared in numerous newspapers, websites, and international publications, including The Globe and Mail and Reader’s Digest. His literary works have been translated into English, German, French, and Swedish.
