About the Project

 

From 2008-2015, APSA organized a series of thematic workshops for early-career African scholars. Workshops offered training in research methods, critical feedback to help advance research papers towards publication, and an opportunity to network with a variety of emerging and leading scholars in the field. The program complements APSA’s effort to support political science communities outside the US and connect US scholars with their colleagues overseas.

Led by a joint team of two US-based and two Africa-based scholars, each annual program brought together 25-30 PhD students and early-career scholars, most based at African universities, for an intensive 2-3 week short-course focusing on a topical theme. The workshops each included a unique syllabus featuring classic and cutting-edge political science research alongside lectures, group discussions, guest speakers, peer review sessions, professional development seminars, and local field trips. Scholars also presented their own research manuscripts for critical feedback. In the process, participants formed important professional networks of peer review, support, and collaboration. Following their participation in the workshop, alumni were provided complimentary APSA membership and the opportunity to apply for small grants to support their research and professional development.

Hosted in cooperation with African universities and research institutions, workshops were held in Nairobi, Kenya (2015 and 2011); Maputo, Mozambique (2014); Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (2013); Gaborone, Botswana (2012); Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2010); Accra, Ghana (2009); and Dakar, Senegal (2008).

Steering Committee and Staff
The Africa Workshops program was managed by APSA’s department of International Programs, with support and guidance from the Africa Project Steering Committee.

Steering Committee:
Ira Katznelson, Columbia University (chair)
Catherine Boone, London School of Economics
Mamadou Diouf, Columbia University
Ronald Kassimir, Social Science Research Council
Leonard Wantchekon, Princeton University

Contact Us
For more information regarding the APSA Africa Workshops, please contact africaworkshops@apsanet.org.