Amidu Kalokoh (he/him) is a Doctoral Candidate in Public Policy and Administration at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He has worked for the Office of the President of Sierra Leone, supporting national and international security, peace, and development. He has volunteered in numerous non-profit organizations working on natural resources governance, human rights, disasters, public health, and public safety.
His research focus includes public policy, homeland security, emergency management, criminal justice, and governance. He currently examines emergency preparedness for vulnerable populations (correctional population and coastal communities), local emergency management capacity building in the United States, money laundering, and terrorist financing. His research supports policies and programs that tackle hazard vulnerabilities, build community resilience, and enhance public safety and justice for all.
Amidu is a researcher and an active member of the academic community. His roles as an author, reviewer, student leader, and mentor demonstrate his commitment to the field’s development. His numerous awards and fellowships, including the 2023 Development Advocate of the Year, the 2024 Black History in the Making, and the 2024 Outstanding Public Policy and Administration Doctoral Student at VCU, Bill Anderson Fund Fellow, ASPA Founders’ Fellow, Public Administration Theory Fellow, APPAM Equity and Inclusion Fellow, and a Coastal Hazard, Equity, Economic Prosperity, and Resilience scholar testify to his hard work, leadership and collaborative skills.