News, Events and Opportunities

Image: ECAS Conference in Leiden, Jos Damen 2007

The extent of the AEGIS network allows us to capture – and post – a wide range of news items, events and opportunities relevant to both our internal and external constituencies. This includes postings from the AEGIS Board, from AEGIS members, and from the Collaborative Research Groups (CRGs). It also includes items of general relevance from non-AEGIS member institutions.

Besides these pages, AEGIS hosts a closed curated Discussion List, where any individual attached to any of the AEGIS member institutions may post relevant news, events, opportunities, views, and so on. To subscribe (and contribute) to the Discussion List, please contact Jos Damen: jdamen@ascleiden.nl

See all recent news below. An archive of past AEGIS news can be found here.

From the AEGIS President

Positively, 2024 has been another active year in African Studies arenas within Europe, Africa and globally. There are countless spaces, including in AEGIS members’ websites and newsletters, where this can be observed. So in spite of uneven support for Africa-centred research, publishing and education, there are countless vibrant activities and initiatives everywhere that are generating a rich array of knowledge encounters and outputs, gatherings and conversations, network-building and collaborations. AEGIS is proud to be a significant actor – and facilitator – within this global space, in among other ways, through the biennial ECAS conferences. Please note the call for funding for participants at ECAS 2025 in Prague (25-28 June 2025) has opened and is closing 15 February.

https://www.ecasconference.org/2025/call-for-funding/

Highlighting AEGIS CRG Initiatives and GAPSYM18 – Resources in Africa Conference

The African Urban Dynamics CRG is hosting a series of innovative, Africa-centered online pedagogical workshops from March to May 2025, accompanied by additional teaching resources. Titled Teaching African Cities: A Workshop Series on Pedagogy and African Urban Life, the series explores diverse perspectives on urban experiences across the continent. The second workshop, Teaching (African) Cities Relationally, will take place on April 14. For more details and registration, see here.

The Ghent Africa Platform (GAP) at Ghent University is hosting its 18th Annual Symposium (GAPSYM18) on December 4, 2025, in Ghent, Belgium, exploring resources in Africa from multidisciplinary perspectives. Submit an abstract (max. 500 words) by June 1, 2025. Click here (pdf) for further information.

Academic Opportunities in African Studies: PhD, Postdoc & Professorship Positions

Leipzig University invites applications for the Professorship for Critical African Studies. The role focuses on post- and decolonial perspectives in African studies, with preferred expertise in political geography or political ecology. Apply by 27 March 2025. Click here for more details (pdf).

Roskilde University invites applications for a three-year PhD on Brazil’s security engagements in Africa and their impact on African security governance. The position includes fieldwork in Brazil and Africa. Apply by April 6, 2025. Click here for further information (web).

The École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHES) in Paris is hiring a Postdoc Researcher for the WomAtWork project, exploring the history of female urban labor in Africa, focusing on Kenya. The position is full-time and based in France. Applications are due by 30 April 2025. Click here for more details (web).