The Asia-Africa Center at SNUAC has been hosting the SNU Africa Seminar series on a monthly basis since 2022. This seminar series aims to foster an in-depth understanding of Africa and promote academic exchange by inviting experts from various disciplines and professional backgrounds.

The 24th SNU Africa Seminar, scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, 2025, will feature Dr. Patrick Meehan from the University of Manchester. He will deliver a lecture and lead a discussion on the theme, “Critical minerals, armed conflict, and the global energy transition: Insights from Southeast Asia and Africa.” In this seminar, Dr. Meehan will explore the intersections of critical mineral resources, armed conflict, and the global shift in energy resources, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia and Africa. Participants will have the opportunity to examine rapidly evolving international dynamics and the increasingly urgent issue of resource politics.

Those with an interest in Southeast Asia and Africa will especially benefit from this session, as it offers a chance to engage in deep reflection and dialogue on the regions, while gaining new insights into the complexities of global resource transitions.

Dr. Patrick Meehan is a renowned scholar specializing in the political economy of violence, conflict, and development. His research has particularly focused on Southeast Asia, including Myanmar’s border regions. He previously held research and teaching positions at SOAS University of London and the University of Warwick, and he is currently based at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at the University of Manchester. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Meehan has been actively involved in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, collaborating with institutions such as the UK government, the World Bank, and The Asia Foundation.