I. M. Lewis

I. M. Lewis is a renowned social anthropologist who conducted his initial doctoral field research in Somalia between 1955 and 1957. His career has been dedicated to Somali studies, observing the country's historical development and the birth of the Somali Republic firsthand. He has taught at several institutions, including the London School of Economics.

Lewis is considered the "dean of Somali studies" and has authored numerous works on Somali society, religion, and politics. His research has been supported by prestigious bodies such as the British Academy and the Social Science Research Council. He played a prominent role in the international multidisciplinary enterprise of Somali studies as it grew from a "small expatriate cottage industry".

He has often been cited for his ability to translate complex Somali cultural features, such as the diya-paying group and lineage segmentation, for a Western academic audience. His work A Pastoral Democracy is regarded as a classic study of the northern Somali pastoral system. Lewis’s work remains an "indispensable starting point" for anyone seeking to understand Somali politics.