Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa |
Conseil pour le développement de la recherche en sciences sociales en Afrique |
Conselho para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Ciências Sociais em África |
مجلس تنمية البحوث الإجتماعية في أفريقيا |
9-13 September 2019
University of Ghana, Accra
Asymmetries in knowledge production in African Studies are well-known and are reflected in the underrepresentation of African scholars in academic journals. This 5-day writing workshop aims to counter such asymmetries and to contribute to endogenous knowledge production in the humanities and social sciences by scholars based in West Africa (ECOWAS member countries). It will combine theoretical discussions on issues of ‘decolonizing knowledge’ with practical support to African early career scholars on research and publishing.
Objectives
Programme
The 5-day programme will be organised as a writing retreat, with daily seminars and writing sessions. The seminars will include discussions on the decolonisation of knowledge production within African Studies, as well as practical guidance on academic writing and publishing in international journals, and on drafting research grant applications. The daily writing sessions will be supported by academic mentors and a disciplinary peer group, with coverage of humanities and social sciences.
Funding
Through a grant from the British Academy, financial support is available to successful applicants to cover travel expenses to Ghana from within West Africa, along with accommodation and subsistence costs for the duration of the workshop.
Eligibility
Applications are welcomed from early career researchers who meet the following eligibility criteria:
Female African scholars are particularly encouraged to apply, given their under representation in academia.
Application
The application should include the following:
Applications to be submitted by email to countering.asymmetries@gmail.com by the submission deadline of 25 June 2019. Any enquires should be directed to countering.asymmetries@gmail.com
Selection
Applications will be assessed and selected through a strictly merit-based procedure. The main selection criteria are the excellence, relevance and originality of the draft research paper, and the fit of the research with interdisciplinary African Studies in the humanities and social sciences.
The workshop is funded by the British Academy and is held in collaboration with African Affairs, the journal of the Royal African Society (UK) and the top-ranked African studies journal globally.
Organisers
The workshop is organised by Dr Nana Akua Anyidoho (University of Ghana); Prof Gordon Crawford (Coventry University; Dr Peace Medie (University of Bristol)