John-Mark Iyi
Dr John-Mark Iyi is a Full Professor and Director of the African Centre for Transnational Criminal Justice, Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. He received his LLB from the University of Benin in Nigeria in 1998 and BL from the Nigerian Law School in 2000. He obtained a Certificate in Peace Research from the University of Oslo in 2003 and LLM from the University of Ibadan in 2008. Dr Iyi completed his PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa in 2013 where he was also a Webber Wentzel Scholar and an Associate of the Wits Programme in Law, Justice and Development in Africa. Between 2014 and 2016, He was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the South African Research Chair in International Law at the University of Johannesburg. Dr Iyi was appointed Associate Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of Venda in 2017 and the University of the Western Cape in 2020. He has taught and supervised postgraduate students at several universities in South Africa and he is an International Faculty Member of the United Nations Inter-Regional Crime and Justice Research Institute, Turin, Italy.
As an established legal academic with over 25 years of working experience in legal practice, university-level teaching and research, utilising innovative teaching methods at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A prolific researcher who combines a solid publication record with robust supervision, administration, student development and mentoring. Has demonstrable track record of academic and professional leadership providing expertise that advances knowledge in service of the academy and society. Enjoys national and international recognition for contributions through service on committees, panels, think tanks, editorial boards, and government agencies.
Authored/edited three books, supervised postgraduate students, and served as external examiner for masters and PhD theses at several universities.
Regularly serve as peer reviewer for major publishers and research institutions including Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Brill, Springer, the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), the Human Sciences Research Council, and the British Academy. Served as consultant for several organisations including the United Nations and sits on several editorial and advisory boards including the Advisory Board of the Centre for Advanced Studies, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Southern African Public Law. Awarded C1 rating by NRF as an established researcher whose high-quality research and impact is regarded by peers as enjoying considerable international recognition.
Primary research interests: Public International Law (international peace and security, African Affairs, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international criminal law, legal theory, terrorism, United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS).
Recent publications:
Durojaye, E., Mirugi-Mukundi, G., Iyi, J.-M., & Assim, U.M. (Eds.). (2025). Conflict and Poverty in Africa: A Research Companion (1st ed.). Routledge.
Iyi, J. M. (2022). Taming the tiger: Understanding the nature, causes, and dynamics of conflict in Africa. In S. O. Abidde & E. K. Matambo (Eds.), Xenophobia, nativism and Pan-Africanism in 21st century Africa: History, concepts, practice and case study (pp. 15–32). Routledge.
Iyi, J.-M., & Mushoriwa, L. (2024). Addressing colonial crimes in the Third World: The imperatives and potentials of a TWAIL paradigm. In P. Masake, F. Jeßberger, & L. Hauffe (Eds.), International criminal law and the legacy of colonialism: An African perspective (pp. 5–23). Humboldt-University of Berlin.
Iyi, J.-M. (2024). The African Union two-dimensional solidarity normative agenda: Between contestation and cooperation. In C. M. Bailliet (Ed.), Research handbook on international solidarity and the law (pp. 325–347). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Iyi, JM. (2023). Is International Criminal Justice the Handmaiden of the Contemporary Imperial Project? A TWAIL Perspective on Some Arenas of Contestations. In: Jeßberger, F., Steinl, L., Mehta, K. (eds) International Criminal Law—A Counter-Hegemonic Project?. International Criminal Justice Series, vol 31. T.M.C. Asser Press, The Hague.