Research Affiliations

The African Studies Center fosters research on Africa and disseminates findings through seminars, workshops, conferences, and publications. Scholars interested in Africa can be appointed as Visiting Researchers or Research Affiliates of the ASC in order to gain access to the many research tools available at Boston University, to become active participants in ASC activities, and to contribute to the center’s research output.

Appointment can be a mutually rewarding venture for both the applicant and the center. It provides involvement with an active community of scholars from around the world and privileges including access to the center’s many facilities and library resources. In return, the center requires active participation in our program. Affiliation does not involve salary or fringe benefits nor does it guarantee office space.

Appointments in either category are for a period of one year. Requests for reappointment may be made at the end of that period.

Appointment as a Visiting Researcher is primarily intended for scholars who will be in residence at Boston University and may be reappointed once, for a maximum of two years of appointment, unless an exception is granted by the Provost.

Appointment as a Research Affiliate offers flexibility for long-term members of our scholarly community who have previously served as Visiting Researchers.

Please submit all materials below as PDFs to the African Studies Center at ascinfo@bu.edu with the e-mail subject “Research Affiliation.” 

I.  Boston University requirements for initial affiliation

  1. Eligibility: Visiting Researchers or Research Affiliates must have an advanced degree or recognized expertise in their field, and they must have a source of financial support, including health insurance, from outside BU.
  2. A letter addressed to the Director requesting appointment, stating reason for request, research interests, and research plans for the period of appointment.
  3. A current curriculum vitae.
  4. Please identify a member of the Boston University faculty who will serve as your host during your appointment and have them send a letter to the Assistant Director confirming their willingness to serve as your faculty host. They must use the sponsoring faculty letter template available here.
  5. Once the African Studies Center Appointments Committee reviews your initial materials and indicates that it wishes to proceed with your appointment, Boston University will require a Researcher Acknowledgment Statement and Intellectual Property Agreement. If appointed, international visitors will be required to check in with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) upon arrival at Boston University.

      II.  Boston University requirements for reappointment

      1. Eligibility: Boston University allows Visiting Researcher appointments to be renewed once for a second year. An extension beyond two years must be approved by the Dean and by the Vice President and Associate Provost for Research. Alternatively, interested scholars may be appointed as Research Affiliates without the same restrictions, but must still be reappointed on an annual basis.
      2. Items 2–5 in Section I above are required for reappointment. (Note that if one is already on file at BU, an Intellectual Property Agreement does not need to be submitted for reappointment.) These should be updated for the reappointment and cannot be recycled from the previous appointment.

      III.  African Studies Center requirements for initial affiliation or for reappointment

      During the period of appointment, Visiting Researchers and Research Affiliates at the African Studies Center are expected to fulfill at least one of the following requirements:

      1. Submit a working paper to the center for publication consideration or co-author a research paper with an ASC faculty member.
      2. Present a paper or talk at the ASC or maintain an active research agenda that recognizes the ASC’s contribution (for the appropriate language to acknowledge ASC affiliation, check with the Assistant Director).
      3. Participate regularly in the intellectual life of the center, including in lectures and other educational events.

      See our current affiliated researchers here.