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ANU Africa Network
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This website was established in 2013 by David Lucas, and renovated and relaunched in 2020 as part of a project to increase awareness of Africa and African studies in the ANU and the ACT, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Another outcome of that project was a major research report, published in August 2021, African Studies at the Australian National University and in the Australian Capital Territory, analyzing the past, present and future of the study of Africa at the Australian National University and the wider Australian University sector.
The major innovation on this updated website is the creation of the ACT Africa Expert Directory which lists experts on Africa from institutions around the ACT, primarily the ANU. We will continue to curate this list, offering a key resource for media, government and non-government organizations seeking expert facts and opinions on Africa. Individuals can request to be added to the list by contacting the website managers.
Another notable addition is the expanded directory of PhD theses on Africa produced in the territory’s universities, a solid measure of the vitality of the study of Africa in the city of Canberra.
Reviewing these directories, it is revealing to note that the vast majority of research on Africa is produced by disciplinary experts (environmental scientists, economists, demographers, etc.) rather than area studies experts. This means that the study of Africa is woven into the fabric of the research culture of the ANU and the ACT’s other universities in ways that are not necessarily apparent.
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ANU International Strategy Regional Plans – Africa & Middle East Online “Town Hall Event”
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Thursday, May 28, 2020
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (UTC+10:00)
Zoom Webinar
Event details and registration here.
The Africa & Middle East regional plan, important to review before the event, has been uploaded here.
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The Year 2020, COVID-19 and Elections in Africa
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If you are from ANU, UC, or any other ACT institution or organisation and wish to share your research please send details to david.lucas@anu.edu.au
Here is a piece from Ernest Akuamoah (School of Politics and International Relations, ANU)
Abstract
“Across the continent, millions of people will be going to the polls to exercise their democratic rights this year. In theory, elections will provide avenues for citizens to hold their leaders accountable through either endorsing their legitimacy or replacing them if they have performed abysmally. In this regard, you would expect citizens to be enthusiastic and excited for the opportunity to vote, but this is not always the case. For the most part, election periods in many African countries are characterized by fear and panic because electoral contests are considered a ‘do-or-die’ affair . Even when incumbents are defeated, it is uncertain whether they will leave office. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic presents manifold challenges to democracy in Africa. This paper highlights some of these challenges and identify countries at high risk of contentious elections.”
Available at 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3596662
or https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3596662
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Sydney South African Film Festival, 16-25 May (ONLINE)
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