Eric Nigh

Academic Areas of Expertise:

International Studies, Middle East Political Systems, Middle East Minorities, Ethnic Conflict, Arabic Language

Curriculum Vitae

Biography:

Eric Nigh is the Director of the Arabic and Middle East Studies Program at the University of Wyoming. Eric's research focuses on the complicating factors of the United States' post-conflict development policies in the Middle East. In addition, Eric is an expert in Iraqi Arabic and culture. Prior to joining the University of Wyoming, Eric was a program manager and civil society development expert with over 12 years of experience managing large-scale donor funded programs in Iraq, including 5 years as the CEO of a private company based in Baghdad, Iraq running a multi-million dollar annual development portfolio. Eric served four years as Chief of Party of the USAID-funded Access to Justice Program (A2J) in Iraq, leading the technical direction for program implementation that produced two pieces of legislation, educated more than 40,000 vulnerable Iraqi families on their rights, and provided direct legal assistance to more than 30,000 vulnerable Iraqi families that were otherwise without recourse to access their legal rights. In addition to experience in project management, advising, and assessment for international donor programs in conflict-mitigation, economic growth, NGO-sector development, capacity building and professional training, and access to justice, Eric was instrumental in the start-up of the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Baghdad and led humanitarian relief efforts for Millennium Relief and Development Services in Northern Iraq. Eric has extensive experience in NGO development; has trained over 300 NGOs; and has built a strong network of organizations throughout the country. Eric also boasts extensive experience in conducting research and assessments, including leadership of a survey of 7,000 companies by a 500-person team and a survey of 150 NGOs. Eric is married to Tania, his lovely wife who hails from Baghdad, Iraq, has three beautiful girls, holds a MA from the University of Wyoming in International Studies and a BA from Denison University in Ohio and speaks fluent Iraqi Arabic.

Current Research Projects:

Middle East Politics, US Foreign Policy in the Middle East, Middle East Strategic Studies, Arabic Language and Culture