Timothy Berke

Tim Berke received his PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan in August of 2025. Tim’s research focuses on post-conflict development, forced migration, public health, and collaborative planning. His dissertation centered around better understanding the livelihood opportunities and barriers urban settings provide forcibly displaced persons and the impact the arrival of displaced persons have on cities and host communities in the global south.

Prior to pursuing his Ph.D. Tim lived and worked in South Sudan, for over 5 years and has over 12 years of experience (in Ethiopia, Uganda, Panama, Peru, Kenya, South Sudan, and Colombia) in development programming, evaluation, disaster and refugee response, and public health.

In 2013, he graduated with a dual master’s degree from Florida State University (FSU) in city planning (MSP) and public health (MPH).