Zack Ahmed is a PhD candidate (ABD) in Global Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. His research examines South-South migration, urban food systems, governance, and household food security in the Global South. His dissertation investigates how migrants navigate food insecurity within informal economies, constrained governance environments, and transnational networks of support. Through survey research, life history interviews, and key informant consultations, his work shows how mobility, informality, and inequality shape migrant resilience and vulnerability. By centering migrant experiences and informal food economies, his research contributes to debates on access, equity, and urban resilience in rapidly growing African cities.

Zack is a research member of the MiFOOD Network, contributing to global studies on South-South Migration and Urban Food Security and the Resilient Remittance (R2) project. He has published in journals, MiFOOD working papers, handbook chapters, and policy outlets, and has presented research in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Kenya. He has also contributed to teaching and academic service at BSIA and Wilfrid Laurier University. He has taught graduate class in the Master of International Public Policy program on the global governance of food systems and served as a teaching assistant for undergraduate political science and global studies courses. His teaching supports student learning on globalization, migration, food system, public policy, and development, and reflects a commitment to critical thinking, inclusive dialogue, and the integration of theory with real world evidence.

Zack’s professional experience spans more than fifteen years across the public, private, and non-profit sectors in Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Canada, where he has worked on climate adaptation, youth livelihoods, global governance, and community program development. He has held roles, policy analysis, project management, and community engagement, supported by earlier experience in financial services and operations management that strengthened his understanding of risk, organizational processes, and inclusive governance. He has also served as a Youth Policy Board Member for the UN FAO World Food Forum, representing youth in global policy discussions on food systems and resilience. In this capacity, he co-authored global policy documents, coordinated regional consultations, and delivered presentations at major UN platforms, including the World Food Forum in Rome, the UN High Level Political Forum at UN Headquarters in New York, the Preparatory Youth Conference for the UN Food Systems Summit in Bangkok, and the UN Food Systems Summit in Addis Ababa.

Zack is active in the BSIA community, having supported the Africa Forum program, the Global Climate Action Committee, and the Technology Governance Policy Challenge. He is also engaged in the Waterloo Region community, serving on the boards of organizations working on education, youth development, and culturally anchored social services. His work includes leadership in programs supporting family well-being, newcomer integration, and youth empowerment, reflecting his belief that academic research must remain connected to community needs.