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Call for applications for the 7th CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa
The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa in partnership with the Centre for African Studies Basel invites applications for the 7th Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa. Supported by the Oumou Dilly Foundation, the programme aims to strengthen intellectual collaboration between African scholars and the African Studies community in Switzerland while advancing interdisciplinary research on Africa from an African-centered perspective.
This Summer School is designed as an intensive academic platform for PhD students and early-career scholars in the social sciences and humanities to critically engage with contemporary theoretical, conceptual, and methodological issues. It places African epistemologies, philosophies, and intellectual traditions at the centre of knowledge production, encouraging participants to move beyond critique toward conceptual innovation.
The 2026 edition is particularly inspired by the legacy of Valentin-Yves Mudimbe, whose work challenged colonial knowledge systems and called for a reimagining of African Studies as a site of global theoretical contribution. Building on his ideas—such as the “Colonial Library” and “The Invention of Africa”—the programme encourages participants to rethink how knowledge about Africa is produced and how African thought can reshape global scholarship.
Through guided seminars, peer discussions, and mentorship from senior scholars, participants will critically reflect on their own doctoral research and its relationship to African epistemological frameworks. The Summer School also creates a collaborative environment where scholars can explore how their work contributes to both academic advancement and societal transformation.
Participants will be encouraged to interrogate inherited disciplinary concepts, engage with African intellectual traditions, and experiment with new methods and frameworks grounded in African realities. By fostering interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary dialogue, the programme seeks to reposition African Studies as a dynamic and generative field with global relevance.
Ultimately, the Summer School serves as both a commemorative and forward-looking initiative—honouring Mudimbe’s intellectual legacy while empowering a new generation of scholars to redefine African Studies as a centre of conceptual innovation and scholarly excellence.
Location:
Senagal
Benefits
- Travel costs covered for participants from African institutions
- Free accommodation during the Summer School
- Meals provided throughout the programme
- Access to mentorship from senior scholars
- Opportunity to engage in high-level academic discussions
- Strengthened research and methodological skills
- Exposure to African-centered theoretical frameworks
- Networking with scholars across Africa and Switzerland
- Participation in an interdisciplinary academic community
Eligibilities
- Open to PhD students and early-career scholars in Social Sciences and Humanities
- Applicants must be affiliated with higher education institutions in Africa
- PhD students from Swiss universities are also eligible
- Preference given to PhD candidates in their 1st or 2nd year
- Must submit a concept paper aligned with African epistemology and Mudimbe’s work
- Must provide a motivation letter, CV, recommendation letter, and proof of PhD enrollment
- Early-career scholars must submit proof of doctoral qualification
- Applications must be complete and meet academic integrity standards
Eligible Regions: Open for African countries
Application Process
Apply through the “Apply Now” link.
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
