Examining contemporary issues in Africa is an important component in the study of international affairs, both for its own sake and for understanding and responding to broader global issues. Most of the major issues confronting the global community today are at play in Africa, one of the major economic growth regions in the world today.
In spring 2016, GW officially chartered the Institute for African Studies with the goal of building the most significant academic institution in Washington, D.C., for research, scholarship, education, and debate on African issues.
The institute is rapidly becoming the structural hub for students, faculty, and researchers who share an interest in African studies. GW currently boasts more than 50 faculty members with expertise on and engagement in the African continent, and the institute provides a focal point for their work. Interdisciplinary in design, the institute brings together African comparative politics, history, economics, anthropology, geography, language, and security studies. While the institute’s core faculty members comprise scholars from these seven fields, GW faculty working in areas such as business, public health, education, public administration, the humanities, women’s studies, and American studies will be instrumental to expanding the institute’s breadth. True to the university’s strategic emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and the Elliott School’s multidisciplinary identity, the institute consistently seeks to collaborate with scholars across campus from these – and other – areas.
GW announces Institute for African Studies
Examining contemporary issues in Africa is an important component in the study of international affairs, both for its own sake and for understanding and responding to broader global issues. Most of the major issues confronting the global community today are at play in Africa, one of the major economic growth regions in the world today.
In spring 2016, GW officially chartered the Institute for African Studies with the goal of building the most significant academic institution in Washington, D.C., for research, scholarship, education, and debate on African issues.
The institute is rapidly becoming the structural hub for students, faculty, and researchers who share an interest in African studies. GW currently boasts more than 50 faculty members with expertise on and engagement in the African continent, and the institute provides a focal point for their work. Interdisciplinary in design, the institute brings together African comparative politics, history, economics, anthropology, geography, language, and security studies. While the institute’s core faculty members comprise scholars from these seven fields, GW faculty working in areas such as business, public health, education, public administration, the humanities, women’s studies, and American studies will be instrumental to expanding the institute’s breadth. True to the university’s strategic emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and the Elliott School’s multidisciplinary identity, the institute consistently seeks to collaborate with scholars across campus from these – and other – areas.
GW announces Institute for African Studies
Examining contemporary issues in Africa is an important component in the study of international affairs, both for its own sake and for understanding and responding to broader global issues. Most of the major issues confronting the global community today are at play in Africa, one of the major economic growth regions in the world today.
In spring 2016, GW officially chartered the Institute for African Studies with the goal of building the most significant academic institution in Washington, D.C., for research, scholarship, education, and debate on African issues.
The institute is rapidly becoming the structural hub for students, faculty, and researchers who share an interest in African studies. GW currently boasts more than 50 faculty members with expertise on and engagement in the African continent, and the institute provides a focal point for their work. Interdisciplinary in design, the institute brings together African comparative politics, history, economics, anthropology, geography, language, and security studies. While the institute’s core faculty members comprise scholars from these seven fields, GW faculty working in areas such as business, public health, education, public administration, the humanities, women’s studies, and American studies will be instrumental to expanding the institute’s breadth. True to the university’s strategic emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and the Elliott School’s multidisciplinary identity, the institute consistently seeks to collaborate with scholars across campus from these – and other – areas.
GW announces Institute for African Studies
PILLARS OF THE INSTITUTE FOR AFRICAN STUDIES
I do not see the countries and people of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world – partners with America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility and mutual respect.
PILLAR I
To inspire an up-and-coming generation of young scholars and professionals to better understand and engage with a continent that is complex, diverse, and changing
PILLAR II
To strengthen collaboration among departments and increase interdisciplinary understanding of Africa
PILLAR III
To Highlight new research on Africa by GW faculty and by scholars from across the globe
PILLAR IV
To provide a platform for a diversity of African perspectives
PILLAR V
To engage policymakers and deepen exchange between the GW Africa community and the policymaking establishments
OUR MISSION
The mission of The Institute for African Studies necessitates a strong emphasis and substantial investment in curricular exchanges between the Elliott School and the continent for students and faculty alike. These exchanges foster an environment ripe for sharing knowledge and producing scholarly works. They afford visiting scholars and students access to the wealth of archives available in the Washington, D.C., area, as well as opportunities for engaging with D.C.-based policymakers and practitioners.
Visiting Fellows
The Institute’s visiting fellowship is a renewable one year opportunity for faculty members from Africa to come to the Elliott School to teach and conduct collaborative research with GW faculty. The fellowship is open to a variety of disciplines and enriches teaching and scholarship across multiple areas of specialization while creating a strong network of affiliated faculty members across Africa and related fields of study.
Post-Doctoral Fellows
The Institute for African Studies plans to offer two annual post-doctoral fellowships open to candidates from the U.S. and abroad. These fellowships will enrich the school’s intellectual community with the latest research from a broad range of perspectives and training, further extending the Elliott School’s networks, and reinforcing the institute as the principal academic institution in Washington for intellectual and policy engagement concerning Africa.
Global Partnerships
Through a variety of research and policy engagement initiatives, Elliott School faculty have developed strong partnerships with several African universities, including the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, and University Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal. The Institute for African Studies at the Elliott School is deepening these partnerships.