Justin D. Bibee

Refugee Resettlement Practitioner at Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island

Dr. Justin D. Bibee has recently assumed the position of Global Fellow (‘24) at the Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Studies at Brown University, marking a significant milestone in his academic and professional journey. This prestigious role positions Dr. Bibee within a vibrant network comprising faculty, students, and practitioners dedicated to the exploration of human rights and humanitarian assistance. As a Global Fellow, Dr. Bibee engages in collaborative interdisciplinary research addressing the root causes of human rights abuses and seeking viable solutions to the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges.

His commitment to humanitarian causes extends beyond academia. Dr. Bibee serves as the assistant director for the refugee resettlement department at the Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island. Leveraging his extensive background in supporting refugees from diverse countries and regions, he plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the successful resettlement of displaced individuals and families in Rhode Island. In this capacity, Dr. Bibee leads a team of refugee resettlement case managers, serving as the initial point of contact for refugees arriving in Rhode Island.

Dr. Bibee's journey in the field of refugee assistance began in 2013 as a graduate student conducting research on conflict and peacebuilding, with a focus on the ramifications of conflict on the displacement of populations. In 2017, Dr. Bibee joined the United Nations on assignment in Tanzania where he worked in the Nyarugusu, Nduta, and Mtendeli refugee camps with Burundian and Congolese refugees. He joined Dorcas International Institute in 2021 as a refugee resettlement case manager himself. In this role, he provided intensive and comprehensive support to newcomers, addressing their immediate needs such as securing housing and essential services. He has been actively involved in assisting refugees from a variety of regions, including Angola, Afghanistan, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Jordan, Liberia, Nepal, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Western Sahara. 

Dr. Bibee's work has been instrumental in improving the lives of countless refugees. In May 2024, Rhode Island College, his alma mater, awarded him an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his outstanding contributions to society, particularly through his humanitarian work with refugees. Notably, Dr. Bibee became the second youngest person in the college's history to receive this prestigious honor.

Dr. Bibee served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Kingdom of Morocco from 2014 to 2016. He speaks Darija.