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Robert L. McKenzie, Ph.D., also known as Bobby McKenzie, is a scholar of the Middle East and North Africa. An anthropologist by training, his work largely focuses on forced migration, displaced persons, refugees, and diaspora-related issues. McKenzie is a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, a former democratic nominee for Michigan’s 11th congressional district, and a former Senior Advisor at the US Department of State.

Brookings Institution
At the Brookings Institution, McKenzie's research and writing centers on the Syrian refugee crisis and Muslim communities in the West. McKenzie has written for, appeared with, or been cited by: The Baltimore Sun; Bloomberg View; CNN; The Detroit Free Press; The Guardian; The New York Times; The Washington Post; and The Washington Times. McKenzie has also convened or participated in a number of major Brooking events: On February 19, McKenzie provided introductory remarks for a public discussion with Syrian refugees entitled "Who we really are: A conversation with Syrian refugees in America." On March 15 2016, McKenzie moderated a public conversation on the Syrian refugee crisis with Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. On October 18 2016, McKenzie participated in a public conversation entitled "How should the next president counter violent extremism?" The conversation was moderated by Indira Lakshmanan and highlighted McKenzie's recent policy brief entitled "Countering Violent Extremism in America: Policy recommendations for the next president."

Early Life, Education, and Published Books
McKenzie was born and raised in the Greater Detroit area. He earned a bachelor's in economics from Michigan State University, a master's in security studies from Georgetown University, and a doctorate in anthropology from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. McKenzie has co-edited a book with Professor Alessandro Triulzi entitled "Long Journeys: African Migrants on the Road," published by Brill Publishing House in 2013. In his latest book project, anticipated in May 2017, McKenzie explores large-scale displacement and protracted refugee situations in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Moonlight Graham of College Basketball
McKenzie played multiple sports in high school and was captain of the varsity basketball team at Crestwood High School. At Michigan State University, and after multiple unsuccessful attempts, McKenzie walked-on to the varsity basketball team coached by Tom Izzo. His total playing time was less than one minute, earning McKenzie the title "the Moonlight Graham of college basketball."

Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, 2014 Election Cycle
In the 2014 election cycle, McKenzie was the democratic nominee in the Michigan’s 11th Congressional District. When he launched his campaign in late October 2013, former Congressman Patrick Murphy (PA-D) referred to McKenzie as "a fantastic candidate -- a top-tier candidate for the DCCC [Democratic Congressional Campaign committee] -- and he'll be an even better congressman...He'll be one of the top 10 recruits in the country for the DCCC." In December 2013, the DCCC added McKenzie to its elite jump starter program. McKenzie won the Democratic nomination in the primary on August 5, 2014. In late September 2014, The Hill named McKenzie one of five sleeper races to watch in the country. The DCCC had reserved 1 million dollars in media ad buys for McKenzie for the general election. McKenzie lost in the general election to David Trott, by a margin of 140,435 votes to 101,681 votes (56.2% to 40.7%).