Mahmoud Ahmed is the Community Outreach Program and Research Coordinator at the James H. Binger Center for New Americans at the University of Minnesota Law School. In this role, he leads the Center's outreach, research, and education programs, focusing on legislative and research initiatives such as the Solitary Confinement Project. This interdisciplinary effort aims to promote legislation to regulate and abolish the use of housing segregation and solitary confinement in Minnesota jails and prisons. Ahmed’s work is characterized by a strong commitment to community-led change, demonstrated by his ability to bring together legislators, policy authors, academic experts, and community leaders to drive impactful policy reform.
Before joining the Binger Center, Ahmed worked in refugee resettlement at the International Institute of Minnesota. As a Resettlement and Placement case manager, he coordinated with local, federal, and international organizations, including the Social Security Administration, the International Organization for Migration, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, to provide comprehensive services to newly arrived refugees. He also served as a Housing Case Manager, where he assisted clients in finding housing, navigating landlord relations, and understanding housing norms and legal expectations.
Ahmed's experience in advocacy extends to his involvement with the Sudanese American Collective, where he co-founded efforts to mobilize support for the Sudanese Revolution. The collective partnered with U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar's office to pass S.Res.188, a bill supporting the Sudanese people in their pursuit of civil and sustainable democracy.
In addition to his advocacy work, Ahmed has a strong background in research and project coordination. He collaborated with the University of Bahri’s Center for Peace and Development Studies in Sudan, where he worked on peace-building and economic development projects. He also participated in research on political polarization with Columbia University, contributing to the publication of findings in the journal *Nature Human Behavior*.
Ahmed's professional journey is deeply rooted in his lived experiences as a Muslim African from Sudan, where ongoing conflicts have profoundly shaped his passion for human rights. His work reflects a commitment to addressing complex human rights, social justice, and immigration issues through a combination of research, advocacy, and community engagement.
Before joining the Binger Center, Ahmed worked in refugee resettlement at the International Institute of Minnesota. As a Resettlement and Placement case manager, he coordinated with local, federal, and international organizations, including the Social Security Administration, the International Organization for Migration, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, to provide comprehensive services to newly arrived refugees. He also served as a Housing Case Manager, where he assisted clients in finding housing, navigating landlord relations, and understanding housing norms and legal expectations.
Ahmed's experience in advocacy extends to his involvement with the Sudanese American Collective, where he co-founded efforts to mobilize support for the Sudanese Revolution. The collective partnered with U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar's office to pass S.Res.188, a bill supporting the Sudanese people in their pursuit of civil and sustainable democracy.
In addition to his advocacy work, Ahmed has a strong background in research and project coordination. He collaborated with the University of Bahri’s Center for Peace and Development Studies in Sudan, where he worked on peace-building and economic development projects. He also participated in research on political polarization with Columbia University, contributing to the publication of findings in the journal *Nature Human Behavior*.
Ahmed's professional journey is deeply rooted in his lived experiences as a Muslim African from Sudan, where ongoing conflicts have profoundly shaped his passion for human rights. His work reflects a commitment to addressing complex human rights, social justice, and immigration issues through a combination of research, advocacy, and community engagement.
He is currently pursuing a Masters of Human Rights at the University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs in collaboration with CLA.