His book Hope is Cut: Youth, Unemployment, and the Future in Urban Ethiopia (2012) examines the struggles of young men to attain their aspirations for the future in a context of extremely limited economic opportunity. His research and writing explores issues related to economic development, time and space, reciprocity, capitalism, and youth. He has also been involved in a study of the relationship between mental health and aspirations among youth in Ethiopia. His current research examines infrastructural development and governance in Ethiopia.