In 2013 the Centre of West
African Studies (CWAS) celebrates its fiftieth anniversary and the opening
of a new Department of African Studies and Anthropology (DASA) at the
University of Birmingham.
For fifty years, research
carried out at CWAS has been distinguished by interdisciplinarity spanning the
humanities and social sciences, but united by a common focus on people’s lived
experience in Africa, and close and long-term engagement with African societies,
perspectives, and academic institutions. Whilst CWAS continues to promote the
development and dissemination of Africa-focused research, the creation of DASA
formalizes the expansion of teaching and research beyond West Africa to include
the entire African continent, and the growing place of Anthropology in
departmental expertise and teaching.
Crossroads in African Studies
will take place on 4-6 September 2013 at the University. We look forward
to hosting a variety of contributions ranging from the discussion of new
empirical research, to the critical analysis of past and present theories and
methods in the field of African Studies, and the identification of future
agendas. We invite the submission of panels and papers focusing on seven main themes:
