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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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Why There is No Such Thing as Institutionless Politics: Lessons From Africa
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ANU School of Politics & International Relations SPIR Seminar Series 2018
________________________________________Why There is No Such Thing as Institutionless Politics: Lessons From Africa
Professor Nicholas Cheeseman
(University of Birmingham) will present the findings from his latest book, Institutions and Democracy in Africa: How the rules of the game shape political developments (Cambridge University Press, 2018).Many of his interviews and insights can be found on the website that he founded and co-edits, www.democracyinafrica.org.
Thursday 5 April 2018, 12:00 – 2:00 pm
L.J. Hume Centre, Copland Building (24), 1st Floor, Room 1171
(Closest Street: Corner of Childers Street and University Avenue)Lunch will be provided at the seminar after the Q&A session.
Enquiries
Feodor Snagovsky: feodor.snagovsky@anu.edu.au
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Kirsty Wissing’s research on Water Sources in Ghana
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Kirsty Wissing is a PhD student with the School of Culture, History and Language at the ANU. Her research looks at Indigenous religious affiliations to water sources and how introduced influences, including colonialism, Christianity and the hydro-power industry, have affected such affiliations. Her PhD field research will be conducted in the Eastern Region of Ghana and her thesis title is ‘Water is Life: Consistencies and Fluctuations in Religious Value Attributed to Water Sources in Ghana’.
For more information about her experience and publications see
https://chl.anu.edu.au/our-people/details/kirsty-wissingFrom the January 2018 Newsletter of the Africa Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific (AFSAAP):
‘Cherry Gertzel/AFSAAP Postgraduate Prize 2017
AFSAAP invited postgraduate essays for consideration for the Cherry Gertzel Postgraduate Essay for 2017. From all the brilliant entries received, Kirsty Wissing’s essay was judged to the best and thus claimed the Essay prize for 2017. The reviewers found that her paper entitled, ‘Environment as justice: Akwamu reflections on river justice in Ghana’, was original, insightful, interesting and well written, and based on primary research. Kirsty is a PhD student at the Australian National University. She is now working on submitting a revised version of the paper for consideration of publication to the editor of ARAS.’
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Workshop on Democratic Systems in Africa
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Workshop: Friday 6 April at the ANU, 10am
From the School of Politics & International Relations
“Scholars, early career researchers, and post-graduate students are invited to join Visiting Fellow, Professor Nic Cheeseman (University of Birmingham) for a workshop exploring the opportunities and challenges of democratic systems in new and post-colonial democracies. As Professor Cheeseman’s core research interests lie in the area of comparative politics and democratization in sub-Saharan Africa, addressing themes including democratization, governance, political violence, election rigging, and the politicization of ethnicity, the workshop will explore these and related themes raised by participants.
For more information about Professor Cheeseman’s publications,see his personal website: www.democracyinafrica.org
Call for Participation (Due 15 March)
“Participants: We invite short presentations of works in progress, ideas and theoretical concerns (between 5-10 minutes) from academics, including ECRs and post-graduate students from the ANU and other universities which address themes
noted above and/or other related concerns including research on democracy and governance based on the African continent as well as other regions, including but not limited to Eastern and Central Europe and across Asia and the Pacific.
Send a short biography (100 word max) and a 200 word abstract to Christina Kenny (Christina.kenny@anu.edu.au) by 15 March 2018. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday, 19 March.Audience members: Should you prefer to attend the workshop as an observer, please rsvp by 15 March 2018 for catering purposes.”