7th CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School in African Studies and Area Studies in Africa

📖 About

The 7th CODESRIA/ZASB Summer School aims to foster and strengthen interdisciplinary approaches to research concerning Africa and other global regions from an African perspective. It emphasizes African Studies as a facet of Area Studies and endeavors to identify themes that are theoretically, conceptually, and methodologically pertinent to the intellectual examination of Africa as a subject of knowledge.

Sponsor Organization

• Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA)

🎁 Benefits

Participants will:

• Engage in critical reflection on their research through African intellectual traditions.
• Explore how African Studies can drive theoretical innovation globally.
• Discuss interdisciplinary methods and African-centered frameworks with senior scholars.
• Develop skills to connect rigorous scholarship with societal impact.
• Build professional networks and a sense of scholarly belonging.
• Travel, accommodation, and meals are covered for participants from African institutions. A limited number of applicants may also participate on a self-funded basis.

The Summer School provides a unique platform for emerging African scholars to reconceptualize the social sciences and humanities from an African perspective, advancing Mudimbe’s vision for transformative scholarship.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The Summer School is open to:

• PhD students in the Social Sciences and Humanities (preferably first or second year) from African or Swiss institutions.
• Early-career scholars interested in interdisciplinary research on Africa.
• Applicants ready to explore theoretical, conceptual, and methodological innovation inspired by African thinkers.

📝 Application Date and Process

Required Documents:

1. Motivation/Application Letter (max 500 words) with a clear statement demonstrating how your work would benefit from participation.
2. Concept Paper (max 2500 words) highlighting:
   • What you are working on.
   • How your research resonates with African or Global South conceptual and epistemological framings in general and with Mudimbe’s work in particular.
   • Your expectations from the Summer School.
   • A book relevant to the theme you have read or would like to read for discussion at the Summer School.
3. Detailed Curriculum Vitae.
4. One Letter of Recommendation from the candidate’s institution of affiliation or their PhD supervisor.
5. Passport Copy.
6. Proof of PhD Registration at an African or Swiss University (for PhD students) or Doctoral Certificate for early-career scholars.

📅 Application Deadline

01 May, 2026

For more details and to apply, visit the official CODESRIA website.

• Engage in critical reflection on their research through African intellectual traditions
• Explore how African Studies can drive theoretical innovation globally
• Discuss interdisciplinary methods and African-centered frameworks with senior scholars
• Develop skills to connect rigorous scholarship with societal impact
• Build professional networks and a sense of scholarly belonging
• Travel, accommodation, and meals are covered for participants from African institutions. A limited number of applicants may also participate on a self-funded basis.