African Studies Center Hosts Delegation of International Visitors Leadership Program Members
The African Studies Center hosted a delegation of nine International Visitors Leadership Program members from eight African Countries on March 20, 2024. The program, organized by the Department of State brings emerging leaders from around the world to the U.S. for focused study trips. The delegation included members from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Mali, Morocco,…
African Ajami Scholars Publish New Special Issue in Islamic Africa
The “Ajami Literacies of Africa” special issue explores the rich literatures of Wolof, Mandinka, Hausa, and Fula, challenging misconceptions about Africa’s written traditions. Co-edited by BU scholars, it unveils the historical significance of Ajami, countering Eurocentric biases. Exploring digital technologies, the issue sheds light on grassroots communities and fosters participatory knowledge-making.
Dean Taylor Discusses Akyeampong’s ‘Independent Africa’ at WorldBoston
On October 26, 2023, Dean Scott Taylor joined Professor Emmanuel K. Akyeampong from Harvard University in the WorldBoston Chat & Chowder series. The event, hosted at Foley & Lardner LLP and live-streamed on Zoom, provided the community with a chance to engage in global affairs discussions.
Heine Offers Insight into Latin American Stance on Russia-Ukraine War
Ambassador Heine notes that despite the tragic nature of the ongoing war, countries in the Global South reject the effort to make this into a global war and make them pay for something that Europe should take care of.
Amb. Mary Beth Leonard (CAS’84) & Pardee Alum Discuss Upcoming Nigerian Election
Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard (CAS’84) and Sterling Roop (Pardee ’09), Deputy Director of Peace and Democratic Governance at USAID, Nigeria explore the significance of this election in Nigeria, the wide field of candidates, the potential for violence and intimidation, as well as the country’s current and future political landscape.
ASC Commences Spring 2023 Walter Rodney Seminar Series
In the premier Rodney seminar, Chao Tayiana Maina presented her ongoing research and projects, including the Museum of British Colonialism and Open Restitution Africa (ORA), which aim to reverse the historical erasure and erosion from colonial enterprises and how the digital transfer of history helps to preserve it.
Pardee School Faculty Explore Trends in Global Democracy and Democratic Decline
In recent years, global patterns have emerged that threaten to undermine democracy – election denialism, the emergence of nationalist regimes, and the removal of democratically elected governments to name a few. A panel of Pardee School professors commented on these trends in their regions of study as well as the implications for global democracy.
Pardee Center Kicks Off Spring 2023 Global Health Politics Workshop
In presenting her findings from research on barriers to treating high viral load (HVL) HIV/AIDS cases in Malawi, Dr. Ann Swidler outlines her experiences in Malawi and called on global health infrastructure to tailor their global policies more specifically to individual countries.
Storella and Holmes Argue for Stronger U.S.-Zambia Ties to Improve Governance and Health
Storella and Homes urge the Biden administration to challenge China to reinforce links between governance and health in Africa and conclude, “The Biden administration is wisely leaning into areas of shared values, priorities, and aspirations with Zambia’s Hichilema administration…to amplify the impact of investments to improve the lives of people in African countries.”
Longman Interviewed on “Memory and Justice in Post-Genocide Rwanda“
Professor Longman discusses his book, in which he argues that the memory of the Rwandan genocide has been instrumentalized by the Rwandan Patriot Front (RPF). By casting itself as the selfless liberator of the Tutsi minority, the RPF has used genocide to mask its own crimes.
ASC Hosts Panel on LGBTQIA+ Advocacy in African Continent and Diaspora
Drawing on their experiences organizing with communities in Ghana, Morocco, Kenya, Zambia, and beyond, speakers commented on how institutional mechanisms – legal, organizational, or societal – have impacted the perception of LGBTQIA+ populations across Africa and the African diaspora and thus made collaboration and advocacy more difficult.
GDP Center Hosts Premier Fall 2022 Human Capital Initiative Seminar
In discussing his research on COVID-19 misinformation in South Africa, Dr. Kevin Croke explains that while participants were able to improve their fact-checking skills, few were interested in independently fact-checking new sources.
ASC Publishes New Hausa Ajami Workbook for Public Health
The new workbook from Boston University’s African Language Program offers twelve chapters spread over more than 200 pages that cover topics including childbirth, family health, hygiene, the body and environment, sexually transmitted infections, infectious diseases, and death.
Storella & Nichols (MAIA ’23) Publish Op-Ed on U.S.-China Support of African Public Health
“Tensions between the world’s two largest powers will persist. But collaborative health projects in Africa could build bridges, advance shared goals and strengthen African countries’ health systems.”
Greenacre Leading Development of Blockchain-Based Application to Support African Farmers
The project aims to better support Hello Tractor’s mission of supporting farmers in Africa and, by extension, helping feed the world into the 21st century. Insights from the project could also support the work of other firms trying to provide healthcare, clean energy, and other services to rural communities.
Joshua Wright (BA IR ’22) Shares Story of Field Research in Kenya
“One of the first lessons I learned while reading post-colonial literature was the importance of rejecting Western exceptionalism and understanding that our perspective might not reflect that of the communities involved. The Keylor Grant is the perfect opportunity to embrace a new culture, approach the topic from an entirely different angle, and challenge your preconceived notions about a community or state.”
Woldemariam Discusses Tigray War on MEI Podcast
In his comments, Professor Woldemariam discusses the origins of the Tigrayan conflict, the progression of the war, the state of diplomatic negotiations as well as international measures to intervene in the conflict.
Karra Article Details Impact of Improved Access to Family Planning
Professor Karra and his coauthors show that exposure to the intervention increased the intervention group’s control over birth spacing and postpartum fertility, which in turn may contribute to women’s longer-term health and well-being.
Heine Quoted on Degrees of Global Response to Ukraine Crisis
“Many countries in South America, Africa, and Asia…don’t want to be pushed into a position that would go against their own interests, economic or otherwise.”
Policy Leaders Forum: Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard (CAS ’84)
Ambassador Leonard remarked on U.S.-Nigeria relations, highlighting the impact current events are having on this relationship, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China, and the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.